The impact of the economic benefits of tourism on the protection of natural resources Case study: Miankala region

The purpose of this research is to know the role of tourism activity in the local economy and also to measure the impact of its benefits on the protection of natural resources. The studied area of Miankale peninsula and five villages of Miankale district such as Zaghmarz, Amir Abad, Zinvand, Namak Chal and Yaqoub Lange are among the functions of Behshahr city which have been affected by the development of tourism. The method of this research is descriptive and analytical based on survey and data collection tool, household and village questionnaire. The research data have been analyzed through one-sample t-tests, independent or comparative t-tests, and correlation using spss software. The research findings in the study area show that tourism has had positive and significant economic effects on the residents of the protected area and its surrounding villages. Also, the findings of the research show that in general, the economic benefits of tourism development that are perceived by local communities have a significant correlation with the level of their support in the protection of local natural resources. Also, the independent t-test results between the residents inside the protected areas and the surrounding villages indicate that there is a significant difference between the two in terms of the amount of economic dependence on the tourism sector, so that the residents inside the protected areas have more economic dependence than the residents of the surrounding villages. On the other hand, there is a significant difference between these two groups in terms of residents' support for the development of ecotourism and the desire to protect natural resources, although in general, the support for tourism development in protected areas and the desire to protect natural resources are more than average. , but the residents inside the protected areas have more support and desire to protect natural resources than the residents of the surrounding villages due to their greater economic dependence than the residents of the surrounding villages.