Page 208 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

Volcano Tourism in Iran: Mt Damavand, the Highest Peak in the Middle East 185

Figure 12.6 The icefall at 5100m altitude, Mt Damavand south route

Mineral water springs in Damavand are the main attracted people for many centuries. The wildlife
source of revenue that attracts investment into the on the slopes of the volcano have been used as a
region. Cheshme-Aala, Polour and Abali are the royal hunting ground for Iranian kings. The Lar
most famous and the bottled mineral water from and Haraz rivers were declared protected areas in
these springs is found in other countries in the 1951 to protect the environment and natural
Middle East as well as in domestic Iran. The most resources of the region. Later, in 1975, the
important thermal springs are Ask and Larijan surrounding area of the two rivers (73,500
with therapeutic applications. Larijan or ‘Abe hectares) on the slopes of the volcano became a
Garm-e Larijan’ is in a village with the same name national park and hunting is forbidden to the
in the district of Larijan in the Lar valley. There are present time in this area.
public baths with relatively small pools for tourists
who visit the village mainly for hot spring Risk management of volcano
tourism. Visitors believe that the water in Larijan tourism on Mt Damavand
hot spring is useful for treatment of chronic As is usual in high altitudes, changes in weather
wounds and skin diseases.
patterns are one of the main sources of risk in
volcano tourism to Mt Damavand. It can change
National parks and protected quickly to disaster in winter, with strong winds
areas of Mt Damavand above 150km/h and freezing temperatures below

The flora and fauna of the Damavand region, with –60°C. Rescue and medical facilities are not
more than 2000 endemic plant species have available in case of injury and emergency. The

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