The first meeting on cooking activity, as one of the activities determined to develop the ecotourism in Jiresare Bagherkhaleh Village (JBK) under the Anzali Wetland Ecological Management Project – Phase II, was held on Saturday, 30 January, 2016 in the mosque of JBK. About 40 women concerned in cooking, the trainer, some members from the Institute for Sustainable Tourism, the representative of GCHHTO and JICA Expert Team (JET). The participants gave some comments and explained about their livelihood condition, existing financial issues and JET recommended them to improve their livelihood. A community center is planning to be established in the village next year and the villagers can use it for cooking, delivering, serving and selling their local products and foods to get side income. Right now, income source of most rural housewives is farming and there is no other income opportunity. There are a lot of young ladies who are seeking the job in the village, one of the main reasons for executing this plan is to provide an opportunity for them to keep their valuable traditional culture and foods under sustainable tourism. This kind of meeting will be held continuously.
