Study of geotourism capabilities of the basins at the southern slop of Tochal for changing to a geo park

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

High mountains, green and deep valleys, the most famous shelters, over flowing rivers, beautiful waterfalls, pleasant climate, appropriate condition for climbing, the basins of the southern slop of Tochal such as Darband, Darakeh, Kolak chal, Tochal have caused them to be one of the urban and megalopolis recreative attractions of Tehran which have high potentials for geo tourism.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the appropriate zones for geotourism development in this area. To carry out the study, required information layers including maps of slope, vegetation cover, isothermal, isohyetal, lithology, hydrology, human and geomorphologic landscapes were prepared. Then by combining and over lapping information layers in GIS environment using AHP models, appropriate zones for geo tourism in the basins of the southern slop Tochal were specified. The results of the study are as follows: 15 percent of the total zone is placed at extremely appropriate zone, 10 Percent quite appropriate, 35 percent appropriate and 40 percent at inappropriate zone, which due to the proximity of this area with Tehran metropolis could be considered by planners

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