The Fourteenth "Journey to the Zag-bor Habitat" Tourism Festival was held in Qaleh Bala village

According to the Mehr News Agency, the fourteenth "Journey to the Zag-bor Habitat" tourism festival was held in the tourism target village of Qaleh Bala, Biarjomand district, Shahroud county. This event was attended by provincial officials, local communities, environmental activists, and tourists from various parts of the country, and was met with significant interest from nature and birdwatching enthusiasts. Mohammad Hassan Asefari, the special governor of Shahroud county, congratulated the people of Qaleh Bala for continuously holding this festival for 14 years, stating: "The magnificent holding of this festival is a symbol of the people's efforts, the unique capacities of the region, and the bright future of tourism in Shahroud. This festival is held with the aim of boosting the local economy, creating employment, introducing the cultural identity, and branding the region's tourism. Qaleh Bala is considered a national model not only in tourism but also in public participation and environmental protection." He added, referring to the unique features of Qaleh Bala: "The terraced architecture, valuable historical texture, proximity to the Turan Protected Area, and the presence of numerous ecotourism accommodations have made this village an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. We are pursuing the global registration of Qaleh Bala with all our might so that this precious gem shines internationally." Seyed Mohammad Sadegh Razavian, the head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of Shahroud county, stated that the purpose of holding the festival is to introduce the natural and cultural capacities of the region and to promote sustainable tourism. He said: "In this festival, traditional rituals such as local wedding ceremonies, the Tal and Mahtal rain-asking ritual, wooden dance, local music performances, and the rain doll show were held, reflecting the intangible heritage of the region's people." He added: "On the sidelines of the festival, an exhibition of handicrafts, souvenirs, and local products was widely welcomed by visitors, and ecotourism and birdwatching training classes were held for enthusiasts. Planning for bird monitoring and protecting the Zag-bor habitat has also been put on the agenda for the next year." Regarding the prominent sections of the festival, Razavian said: "The unveiling of the Zag-bor statue as the symbol of Qaleh Bala village and the introduction of the official logo of the village and the festival are important steps in the cultural and tourism branding of this destination." Continuing the program, Narges Fazeli, the official responsible for registering Qaleh Bala in the World Tourism Villages program, stated: "Qaleh Bala has been recognized as one of the important ecotourism destinations in the country for years. The participation of the local community, the development of rural architecture in line with local culture, attention to the protection of valuable species such as Zag-bor and the Asiatic cheetah, and the promotion of handicrafts are among the success factors of this village in the path of sustainable development." The historical village of Qaleh Bala is located 21 kilometers from Biarjomand and east of Shahroud county. This village, with its terraced architecture and proximity to the Turan National Park and Biosphere Reserve, is considered one of the most prominent natural and cultural tourism destinations in the country and is on the list of proposed routes for world registration.