مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Evaluation of Geographical Features And Ecoturism Opportunities of The Seven Mills And Cave Natural Park

Abstract :

The importance of protection and preservation of nature become increasingly more important in today’s world where human effect in natural environment is more observed, nature is exposed to human pressure increasingly. The most concrete examples of value attached to nature and transferring nature to next generations are protected areas such as national parks, natural parks, nature protection area, natural monuments and natural areas. The common understanding of protection today focuses on minimizing human effect, sustainability principle and provision of protection and usage balance. In this sense such protected areas are opened for eco tourism activities with a sustainable tourism perspective. For eco tourism activities meaning using by protecting view city of Giresun in eastern black sea region has protected natural environment at assessable level. There are 4 natural parks, 9 natural protected area, 33 monument tree and 10 hunting fields within the borders of this city. In this context the cave with spring water in western side of Karadona river between Avluca village and Yeniköy in 33 km. south of Espiye town center and the area where there are 7 mills operated with this water are declared as natural park with the title of “Seven Mills and Cave Natural Park.” Said Natural Park has a considerable potential for ecotourism with cultural appeal as a regional property, cave environment, stalactites, stalagmites and travertine formations, spring water, rich vegetation, wild animal species and seven mills used since more than a century. According to our field research; it is possible to perform cave tourism, hiking, photo safaris, horse safaris, wildlife watching, biking safaris and many other ecotourism activities in this environment. Said Natural Park can be an attractive ecotourism area with its ecotourism potential if necessary touristic infrastructure and accessibility are ensured, its publicity is made effectively and most importantly if it is evaluated sustainably by considering the protection and use balance.