The ‘Forest to Desert’ project in Shahroud county, Semnan province, aims to boost tourism through strategic planning and professional management. Governor Mohammad-Hassan Asafari highlighted attractions like the Reza Abad Desert, Chah Jam Route, Hyrcanian World Heritage Site, Mojen Waterfall, and Qale Bala Tourist Village, each enhancing local culture and handicrafts. Cultural festivals and restoration efforts for historical monuments are underway, with plans to inscribe Qale Bala on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Additionally, religious tourism, particularly at the Imamzadeh Yahya shrine, is emphasized for its potential to attract millions of pilgrims along the Semnan-Mashhad route.