Ecological tourism development model of impassable mountainous areas in the context of the ancient infrastructure of the railway network (Case study: Tehran-Mazandaran railway)

Impassable mountainous regions are one of the significant destinations for tourists, which due to arduous accessibility, are neglected to visit. The best way to reach these regions would be the railways, owing to its conservative nature which protects the environment and noteworthy settlements and also reduces the pollution and non-native population. So , the main goal of this research would be explaining the role of ecological tourism planning in impassable mountainous regions by railways. Tehran-Mazandaran railway is chosen as the case of this study in light of its antiquity, settlement growth in heart of the mountain, and presence of railway tourism. Documentary and library studies along with field surveys ,questionnaires and interviews were used to recognize and explore the existent stations and adjacent habitations and to understand the opinions of stakeholders . Then, using these items, ecological tourism development model of the Region was developed. In this kind of development, railway stations provide the role of tourism development center. Stations with the highest development capacity were selected as the centers for the development of ecological tourism. These centers play a main role to develop the region and grow their surrounding areas, by forming a tourism complex including natural, rural and historical attractions. This way, in addition to the economic development of settlements and the prosperity of tourism, the protection and maintenance of the environment is also done in the best way, and thus ecological tourism will be done in mountainous areas with the focus on the railway route.