HYDRO-TOURISM FEATURES IN CHEIA CATCHMENT AREA

• Published in: Academica Science Journal, Geographica Series no. 6; p. 22
• Main Authors: Cigher, Marius, Moldovan, Lucian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Targu Mures Dimitrie Cantemir University of Targu Mures 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Abundance; Aquifers; Calcium carbonate; Canyons; Carbonate rocks; Catchment areas; Caves; Creeks & streams; Dolomite; Drainage systems; Ecotourism; Expeditions; Geography; Geology; Groundwater; Hydrology; Karst; Landscape; Limestone; Massifs; Morphology; Porosity; Potholes; Rivers; Rocks; Runoff; Soil porosity; Spatial discrimination; Swimming; Tourism; Trekking; Underground caverns; Vegetation; Water resources; Waterfalls; Watersheds; Romania
• ISSN: 2285-8075; 2285-8822

The scientific approach of the study followed the specific logical steps: the identification of physical-geographical boundaries that define the area (spatial and regional subordinate elements), general features of water resources (surface and underground), identification of the tourism potential of water resources by a complex analysis of the defining elements (size and abundance), the assessment of the tourism potential by using hydro-tourism indices (morphometric, morphological, qualitative, quantitative, dynamic, biotic) and, finally, possible ways to exploit the hydro-tourism potential. The main groundwater bodies related to analyzed basin are: Vânatara - Huda lui Papara and Hopagi-Sile§ti. Local geological conditions, climate, hydrology, vegetation and soils, as well as the time factor occurred in the outline of underground drainage systems. The most important drainage is performed in carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite), a large porosity, structure, texture and soluble material (CaCO3) that characterize them, allowing the formation of karst aquifers, hydrodynamic systems in different evolutionary stages. The tourism practiced on such underground courses is rather selective and falls under the polyvalent with its specific forms - expeditions and explorations, scientific -, but also has recreational and leisure connotations. For possible valorization of hydro tourism potential of underground river of Huda lui Papará Cave is proposed underground trekking (trekking river), a form that combines TSA techniques, canyoning, swimming, all under speleological spectrum. Land surface is emerging as a tourism resource due to attractive details like: steep marginal ridges and peaks, steep sides of isolated massifs and the slopes of the gorges that have an obvious positive impact on the landscape; swallets, tourism attraction elements, which is characterized by a large dose of unique, Vânatara Ponor, represented in the region; caves and potholes, which in addition to landscape function, can be exploited from tourism perspectives or extreme activities such as caving; waterfalls, as morphological-hydrographic elements, only one being more relevant in the complex, Vânâtara Waterfall. A form of tourism that presents relevant resources in Cheia basin is ecotourism: circuits in gorges, caves, ophiolites areal, lookout points, etc.