Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
46
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
The research aims to know the impact of implementing tourism development plans on the natural reserve
environment in Najaf Governorate. The tourism industry is one of the most important economic activities in the
contemporary world, and it is one of the sources of income and a strong driver of its economic dimensions. It
represents one of the tributaries of increasing economic growth, providing job opportunities, and solving the
unemployment problem that most countries suffer from, including Iraq. Therefore, building foundations for
comprehensive spatial development in unexploited natural areas is necessary, which helps develop plans for future
tourism development to invest them environmentally and touristically. The city of Najaf has elements of tourist
attractions, such as natural geographical phenomena. Still, it has yet to receive the required and appropriate attention,
and tourism development faces many challenges. Based on all of this, the research problem emerged to determine
the type of relationship between the research variables, which are tourism development plans, which are the
independent variable, and the extent of their impact on the environment of natural reserves in Najaf Governorate,
which is the dependent variable. Natural reserves are essential for preserving biological diversity, reducing the risk of
extinction of threatened species, and ensuring ecosystem services. The researcher followed a methodology based on
repeated field visits to the reserve and conducting personal interviews with its officials. The research sample included
officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and several officials from Najaf Governorate. Among the
most prominent results reached by the research is the importance of implementing tourism development plans as a
Research Article
THE IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLANS ON
THE ENVIRONMENT
(CASE STUDY OF NATURAL RESERVES IN NAJAF GOVERNORATE)
Submission Date:
Sep 28, 2024,
Accepted Date:
Oct 03, 2024,
Published Date:
Oct 08, 2024
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajsshr/Volume04Issue10-05
Shyma Essa Jassim
Institute of Najaf Technical, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Al-Najaf 31001, Iraq
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajsshr
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
47
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
mechanism through which the potential of the natural region can be exploited, contributing to its environmental and
tourist development. The researcher reached a set of results and recommendations that would contribute to
improving the environmental performance of the reserve.
KEYWORDS
Tourism Development Plans, tourism industry, increasing economic growth, providing job opportunities.
INTRODUCTION
The tourist industry is one of the world's most
important. Because it helps diversify income sources
and employs a vast workforce, it is a tributary of
economic development, making it the most civilized
and least polluted. As a result, we need to get the
tourist industry going and give some real consideration
to creating well-defined strategies for the industry's
future growth. Promising national nature reserves in
the study region can be established by highlighting the
essential natural sites. Humans can reap numerous
benefits from these regions. Due mainly to human
activities like deforestation, intensified agriculture,
hunting, etc., the planet is presently experiencing the
sixth stage of species extinction. Protected places are
crucial for halting or at least slowing down these
degradations. Preserving genetic resources for present
and future generations is another benefit of protecting
biodiversity. The process involves designating areas as
protected landmarks and bestowing formal and legal
protection on them. These places also require suitable
management
strategies
to
maximize
their
environmental and developmental benefits. This
improves our chances of preventing the extinction of
ecosystems and biodiversity and using them to our
advantage by creating new strains with enhanced
immunological resistance. The study's secondary
objectives include promoting the reserves in the study
area as ecotourism hotspots and elucidating the key
factors that have impeded the creation of natural
reserves in the region over the last several decades.
Additionally, by scientific principles, it seeks to
determine the environmental reality and development
status of reserves in Najaf Governorate. On which they
were established and methods of conserving their
sustainability according to international standards,
discovering species of plant and animal life,
archaeological and geological components, and
striving to maintain them. Because they influence
biological processes that aim to conserve biodiversity,
natures reserves help keep the ecosystem stable.
The First Section
The Theoretical Framework of the Research
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
48
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
First: Research problem
Najaf Governorate lacks well-studied plans for tourism
development, despite the diversity of natural
environments such as the desert in the western
plateau and the Najaf Sea area and the diversity of
vegetation cover and other natural resources that have
an enormous potential energy that can be developed
with little effort compared to the rest of the areas in
Najaf, which qualifies it to be one of the most suitable
sites for establishing natural reserves.
Therefore, the research problem is determined by the
following questions:
1- Are there plans for tourism development regarding
the natural reserves of Najaf Governorate?
2- What are the most critical distinctive natural sites
that can contribute to preserving biodiversity?
3- What is the relationship between tourism
development plans in establishing, developing, and
preserving natural reserves?
4- Do tourism development plans impact establishing,
developing, and preserving natural reserves?
Second / Research hypotheses: The research
hypotheses can be formulated as follows:
1- There is a significant correlation between tourism
development plans and natural reserves in Najaf
Governorate.
2- There is a significant influence on the relationship
between tourism development plans in natural
reserves in Najaf Governorate.
Third / Importance of the Research
: The Importance of
the study is evident in the following:
1-Exploiting the research area's natural potential helps
develop its tourism activity, as it is not commensurate
with the region's enormous natural potential.
2- Natural reserves are a natural repository and stock
of animals and plants to preserve their presence from
deterioration and extinction.
3- Natural reserve areas are the basis for ensuring the
continuation of biodiversity, preserving the genetic
genes of natural wildlife and thus continuing to benefit
from plant and animal products
4- Reserves provide opportunities for scientific
research of wild species in their biosphere, allowing
decision-makers and individuals to participate in
environmental conservation and optimal use of
reserve lands.
5-Wildlife is an integral part of the ecosystem. It is an
essential indicator of the safety of human interaction
with the environment and the sustainability of its
giving. Establishing a nature reserve in the research
area
contributes
to
preserving
the
natural
environment that has deteriorated due to drought and
desertification. Fourth / Research Methodology: To
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
49
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
achieve the research objectives, the researcher used
the descriptive analytical method and personal
interviews using a questionnaire form, as data was
collected from a sample of directorate officials
(agriculture and environment) in addition to officials of
Najaf Governorate.
Fifth / Research Structure: The nature of the research
required dividing it into four sections. The first section
dealt with the research methodology. In contrast, the
second section was devoted to planning and tourism
development and natural reserves and their
Importance. In contrast, the third section focused on
the Najaf Reserve and the proposed reserves in the
area where the research was conducted. The fourth
and final section analyzed the questionnaire form to
diagnose the procrastination in tourism development
plans and the problems suffered by natural reserves.
The
research
concluded
with
conclusions,
recommendations, sources, and references.
Sixth / Study Limits:
1-
Spatial boundaries: Studying the location
(astronomical and geographical) is of great importance
for spatial relations, as studying spatial boundaries is of
great Importance in determining the spatial
relationship between the researched area and
neighboring places; Najaf Governorate occupies the
southwestern part of the Republic of Iraq and extends
between longitudes (45 44-50 42) and latitudes (29 50-
32 21 north). Thus, its shape is closer to the rectangle
Map No. (1) it is bordered to the north by the
governorates of Babylon and Karbala; to the east, it
borders the governorates of Qadisiyah and Muthanna.
In contrast, to the south and southwest, it borders the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while to the west, it borders
the Anbar Governorate. The location of the study area
extended to two different regions, the alluvial plain
region, and the western plateau region, which
contributed to the diversity of natural resources. The
area of the plain region is approximately (1400 km2) at
a rate of (5%) of the governorate's area of (28824 km2),
while the area of the western plateau region occupies
(95%) of the governorate's area.
2- Temporal boundaries: It is represented by the period
from 9/21/2023 to 9/1/2024
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
50
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Map No. (1)
The geographical location of Najaf Governorate in Iraq
Source: Republic of Iraq, General Authority for Survey, Administrative Map of Iraq, Baghdad, scale
(1/1000000), 2009.
The Second Section
The Theoretical Framework of the Research
Concepts of planning and tourism development and
concepts of natural reserves
The emergence of tourism planning, its development,
and its importance were linked to the emergence of
tourism as a behavioral civilizational phenomenon on
the one hand and an economic and social phenomenon
on the other. (Samia, 2020)
First / Tourism planning
: Tourism planning draws an
estimated future picture of tourism activity in a
particular country and a specific period. This requires
limiting tourism resources in the country in order to
determine the objectives of the tourism plan and
achieve rapid and regular tourism development
through the preparation and implementation of a
coordinated
program
characterized
by
the
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
51
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
comprehensiveness of the branches of tourism activity
and the country's tourist areas (Hormes, 2006, p. 14).
Tourism planning should be viewed as something other
than a field limited to official bodies. However, it
should be viewed as a joint work program between
government agencies, the private sector, and
individuals. Therefore, tourism planning must be a joint
process between all the parties organizing the tourism
sector, between the government agencies supervising
this sector, the providers of tourism services
(institutions and business people), the consumers of
these services (tourists), and the host community for
tourism - starting from the stage of formulating the
goals to be achieved and ending with the stage of
implementing and applying the tourism plan programs
(Abbas, 2023, p. 5). Tourism planning plays a vital role
in developing nature reserves, as it is a scientific
approach to organizing and managing contemporary
tourism activity with all its elements and patterns. It
provides a joint framework for making decisions to
manage nature reserves by developing a plan to
identify the components of the reserve and the
possibility of developing it using scientific methods. It
also sheds light on the reserve's problems while
providing the responsible parties with scientific
methods and trends that help them improve and
develop their work performance using scientific
methods. It also helps unify the efforts of all parties
responsible for developing nature reserves and
coordinating their work. (Omar, 2017, p. 1)
A- Objectives of tourism planning, in general, aim to
achieve comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable
tourism development in its economic, environmental,
and social dimensions through the optimal exploitation
of tourism resources and tourist attractions. The
objectives of tourism planning are summarized as
follows (Khalaf, 2021, p. 158):
1- Finding the required balance between economic
benefits and preserving the environment of natural,
religious, cultural, and other resources. Well-studied
and correct tourism planning determines the capacity
of tourist attraction sites and cities.
2- Achieving coordination between sectors directly or
indirectly related to tourism.
3- Developing infrastructure and providing all facilities
for visitors, tourists, and the local community.
1-One important goal of tourism planning is to preserve
the values, customs, and traditions of the communities
hosting tourists through a development tourism
program that is consistent with the social and cultural
conditions of the communities receiving tourists.
2- Determining the short-, medium-, and long-term
tourism development goals and methods of
implementing them.
B- The importance of planning is summarized in the
following (Ghadban, 2014, p. 138)
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
52
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
• Controlling and controlling tourism management
over available resources and employing them
correctly.
• Putting an end to environmental, social, and
economic problems and finding appropriate solutions
if they occur.
• Developing abandoned or poorly planned tourist
areas and establishing new tourist areas.
• Providing trained workers (compe
tencies) that can
be used in tourism.
• Ensuring all sectors related to tourism activity,
whether
industrial,
agricultural,
commercial,
transportation, and tourism services, and developing
and developing them to serve tourism and related
activities.
Second, the development of the tourist industry
is one
of the most important and relatively new processes
because of the unique and crucial role that the tourist
industry plays in expanding national economies
worldwide. This is because it helps to improve the
balance of payments and gives people more disposable
income. It plays a significant role in developing areas
and cities with tourism potential by providing
infrastructure facilities and essential services to
accommodate tourists. Still, it also helps alleviate
economic problems such as unemployment in these
countries (Bakri, 2021, p. 1). Thus, growth in the tourist
industry is a collection of initiatives that aim to increase
tourism resources in a sustainable and balanced
manner while also improving and streamlining
business operations. There are many moving parts in
this intricate process. Still, ultimately, it all comes down
to an applied and scientific effort to maximize the use
of tourism production while protecting the
environment and training people to be effective
agents of change (Al-Bakri, 2020, p. 9). Developing
tourism is essential since it helps bring in more money
from outside, creates jobs, lowers the unemployment
rate, and entices domestic and international investorsl.
Additionally, it aids in the revitalization of both
traditional and popular sectors by making use of local
resources, which in turn improves infrastructure and
tourist services of various types. It also helps activate
the movement of tourist transportation and lodging
(Al-Naimi, 2018).
A- Objectives of tourism development: Tourism
development begins when people begin to appreciate
the importance of tourism and the benefits that accrue
from it at all social, economic, and cultural levels, which
can be divided as follows: (Kamla, 2018
). • Economic
objectives: Tourism is a source of attracting foreign
currency and achieving development by providing new
job opportunities in the tourism sector and sectors
supporting tourism. Its economic benefits include
providing infrastructure services and increasing
income levels for individuals or the state.
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
53
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
• Social objectives: Social objectives are of great
importance as they provide recreation and
entertainment for tourists and residents and help to
Third / Natural Reserves
: There is no doubt that natural
reserves of various types are essential to life on planet
Earth, given their great importance in preserving
nature, wildlife, and the landmarks and monuments of
ancient civilizations that generations are proud of. In
light of this, countries have paid great attention to
preserving their environment and the biological
diversity necessary for the fabric of life and the
ecosystem and to making them a source of income for
governments and their people. (Qader, 2017, p. 1).
Thus, a natural reserve can be defined as a large area
of land characterized by a diversity of natural wildlife
patterns and represents a means of protecting rare
species of animals and plants from extinction due to
their genetic value and their contribution to
developing the production of local breeds, their
reproduction and benefit from them (Al-Kalabi,
Geographical Analysis of Natural Reserves and Their
Protection). Protection is imposed on them under
special laws and includes the following landforms:
mountains, rock formations, caves, waterfalls, rivers,
springs, mineral waters, and sea coasts. In addition to
everything mentioned, they include archaeological,
religious, and cultural areas. (Hanady Rizqa, Natural
Reserves, Their Importance, and Where They Are
Located, p. 6), The objectives of establishing natural
reserves go beyond merely maintaining natural
resources to being economic and commercial projects
that bring in a reasonable financial return so that the
resources of these reserves can at least cover their
expenses. These reserves also have educational and
pedagogical benefits that hasty and ill-considered
economic projects will not be able to achieve. Suppose
they compete with the reserves to use the land
available to them. In that case, they will not be able to
compete with them in their social benefits for
improving the conditions of society. This means that
the doors of the reserves should be open to the public
and that their multiple benefits should flow to them
continuously and in diversity so that the public realizes
their benefits and defends their survival, continuity,
and development (Mohamed Ibrahim, Natural
Reserves and Biological Pollution in Egypt, p. 82). A-
Conditions for selecting natural reserve areas: Reserve
areas must have a distinct ecosystem with a rare or
endangered species of animals or plants necessary for
scientific research purposes and have an excellent
geographical location, easy to access, in addition to a
unique terrestrial diversity (distinctive rock formations,
springs, waterfalls, caves, and caverns, areas of tourist
and cultural importance (lakes, beaches, forests near
the coasts of the seas (Hanady Rizqa, previous
source)). B- Objectives of establishing natural reserves:
Natural reserves do not necessarily mean closed and
prohibited places; instead, their goal is to prevent
human harm to rare natural components while
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
54
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
maintaining a balance between traditional practices
and preserving the advantage of the sites. One of the
main motives for establishing reserves lies in an
attempt to change and alter negative human behavior
towards nature and change his view and vision of
natural beauty and feeling it and coexisting with it in
harmony and harmony, and that his behavior towards
the environment and its exploitation be rational in a
way that does not cause an imbalance in the
environmental balance that negatively affects human
survival. The same, (Al-Dulaimi, Jassim, 2020, p. 427)
Thus, the objectives of establishing natural reserves
are: (Salman, 2019, p. 270)
1- Understanding the nature of the biosphere and
supporting the balanced relationship between humans
and their biosphere through continuous work to
change the behaviors and attitudes of individuals
towards this environment in the right direction in a way
that helps protect the natural revival (plant and animal)
to continue the biological diversity that is
indispensable in the course of life.
2- Achieving a degree of continuous environmental
monitoring of wildlife and working to protect and
maintain it and avoid any harm by recording the impact
of water and air pollution or any over-exploitation of
this revival to prevent their deterioration and
extinction.
3
—
Conduct more ecological and biological studies and
research and train environmental cadres capable of
managing and exploiting reserves to help protect and
develop wildlife.
4
—
Supporting environmental awareness through
visual, written, and audio media creates an effective
environmental conscience that protects these
reserves.
Another key objective is to encourage and motivate
local residents to actively participate in protecting
natural reserves. It is important to instill in them the
understanding that protecting these reserves is not
just a responsibility, but also in their best interest. Their
active involvement can significantly contribute to the
preservation of these vital ecosystems.
C- Obstacles to establishing natural reserves There are
several obstacles to establishing (natural reserves)
despite their multiple types and actual presence. The
most important of these obstacles are the absence of
applicable legislation to protect (natural reserves) and
the absence of human cadres who have the
competence to manage reserves, the lack of research
and studies in the field of biodiversity, in addition to
overgrazing, as well as random hunting of birds that
the reserve cares for. The lack of financial allocations
to complete some of the reserve's activities (Hadi,
2020), and finally, desertification, which arises due to
various factors (such as climate and human activities
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
55
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Desertification is not the same as the natural
expansion of existing deserts; this is crucial to keep in
mind. Desertification has worsened in recent decades,
impacting the ecological, social, and economic aspects
of numerous nations across the globe. Desertification
is a problem in Iraq because of many things, such as
global warming, drought, overgrazing, unsustainable
farming practices, and the unlawful development of
cities on farmland. Areas that were once among the
world's most fertile agricultural regions have now been
engulfed by desertification, a consequence of the
deterioration of Iraqi rivers caused by upstream dams
and the use of antiquated irrigation methods (Sixth
National Report to the Convention on Biological
Diversity, 2018).
The Third Section
Reserves of the Area where the Research was
conducted
First / Najaf Al-Ashraf Reserve
Najaf Governorate has some places that meet the
necessary criteria for establishing natural reserves, so
a fenced nature reserve project was established in the
governorate, which is considered one of Iraq's largest
reserves.
The
Najaf
Governorate
Agriculture
Directorate began documenting it in 2007. It is located
west of Najaf Governorate in the desert area in the Al-
Shabaka district and 50 km from the center of Najaf
District. Its location is estimated at 1300 dunums, 500
of which are fenced. The stages of its completion have
been completed, and it is considered one of the
projects that aim to develop the cultivation of
endangered wild plants and provide a plant cover in
addition to protecting rare birds and animals such as
(oryx gazelle, Awassi sheep, and white camels). It also
contributes to protecting the surrounding soil from
erosion and desertification and resisting dust storms,
in addition to classifying desert plants into (pastoral,
medicinal, toxic, aromatic) as well as establishing A 7-
acre lake in the reserve to attract migratory birds and
create a suitable environment for breeding. The
reserve is considered a tourist resort, containing more
than 450 gazelles and 30 ostriches, a water surface,
and about 60 thousand trees.
The purpose of its establishment was to preserve the
environment and conduct scientific experiments. As
for the reason for choosing the current site, the idea
began as a proposal by the Ministry of Agriculture to
establish a group of reserves in the governorates of
Iraq, including the governorate of Najaf Al-Ashraf. The
sites for the project were chosen by joint committees
between the directorate and the cadres of the
Environment Department, including this current site,
for the contexts followed in choosing such projects,
including being at least 50 km away from the city, its
proximity to a paved road, which is the road of the Iraqi
Oil Company, in addition to providing types of animals
that are to be propagated and preserved from
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
56
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
extinction, and its abundance in healthy water suitable
for agriculture, in addition to the presence of many
natural pastoral and medicinal herbs and grasses at the
time. As for the tests for drilling wells, they proved that
all wells drilled in the reserve are suitable. For
agriculture, at the beginning of the establishment of
the reserve, there was a group of natural pastoral
fodder plants, and the total number of them reached
about 80 species. These species remained present for
a period, but due to the lack of fodder during the
financial crisis and the lack of financial allocation, which
led to the animals turned to feed on these plants to
meet their fodder needs. There is a plant cover in
reserve consisting of a group of trees that were
planted and can withstand the harsh desert conditions
of heat, lack of rain, and fluctuating climatic conditions,
including eucalyptus, jujube, olive trees, in addition to
tamarisk, thorns of the Levant and palm trees. These
trees are present in the form of oases. The project, at
the beginning of its establishment, contains integrated
irrigation systems that include basins, pumps,
generators, wells, pipes (16 mm), and drippers so that
each tree receives water through the drippers and is
basin-like so that it can absorb the amount of water
during the operating period. An integrated irrigation
system helped plant thousands of trees and their
continuous growth in the project. However, at present,
the staff is doing this work continuously due to the
damage to the existing irrigation system due to the end
of its life span in the project, which is considered worn.
Part of this system was replaced with a new one, and
hundreds of eucalyptus seedlings were planted in
places that were provided with water through solar
cells (Directorate of Agriculture in Najaf Governorate,
Investment Plan, Nature Reserve Project)
Objectives of the Najaf Reserve Project: (Interview
with Eng. Nawal Radi Muhammad, Najaf Agriculture
Directorate
1. Providing vegetation cover and developing the
cultivation of wild plants and preserving desert plants
with their various classifications (pastoral, medicinal,
toxic, aromatic)
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
57
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Project location
Start date
Expiry date
Project area
Project location Start
date End date Project
area
Najaf/Al-Shabaka
district
2
/
1
/
2007
31
/
12
/
2015
Plot /1 District /1
Desert area 1300
dunums with the
added area
Types of animals
: gazelles/ostriches/horses/camels/goats/ducks/sheep
The goal of the
project
The goal of the project is to provide vegetation cover
and preserve endangered animal species in a studies
and research center and tourist area, and invest in
groundwater and an environmental project to protect
the environment
Description
Project
Description Project
(
Infrastructure) External and internal fence of BRC +
circle building + 4 strategic line ferry and guard room +
2 warehouses + car shed + repair workshop containing
(shed and room) + 2 rooms for workers with their
accessories and irrigation wells consisting of basins each
site contains (generator + pump number 2) 6 Cretan
basins for watering animals + 3 watchtowers + 3 and 6
concrete shade caravans + water surface + plastic house
(note the length is 1500 m and width is 850 m
)
Type of exploitation
Agricultural - animal - research - service
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
58
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
2. Preserving some endangered animals such as
(ostriches) and improving species such as (Awassi
sheep) in addition to resettling rare animals such as
(gazelle)
3. Studies and research center and tourist area
4. Investing in groundwater with different irrigation
systems such as (sprinklers drip) of all kinds
5. Settling migratory wild birds
6. A model of the biosphere in the Najaf desert, and it
is a model for those who want to invest
7. Protecting the soil from erosion and the surrounding
lands from desertification
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
59
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Table (1) Najaf Ashraf Reserve
Project location Start
date End date Project
area
Najaf/Al-Shabaka
district
2
/
1
/
2007
31
/
12
/
2015
Plot /1 District /1
Desert area 1300
dunums with the
added area
Types of animals
: gazelles/ostriches/horses/camels/goats/ducks/sheep
The goal of the
project
The goal of the project is to provide vegetation cover
and preserve endangered animal species in a studies
and research center and tourist area, and invest in
groundwater and an environmental project to protect
the environment
Description
Project
Description Project
(
Infrastructure) External and internal fence of BRC +
circle building + 4 strategic line ferry and guard room +
2 warehouses + car shed + repair workshop containing
(shed and room) + 2 rooms for workers with their
accessories and irrigation wells consisting of basins each
site contains (generator + pump number 2) 6 Cretan
basins for watering animals + 3 watchtowers + 3 and 6
concrete shade caravans + water surface + plastic house
(note the length is 1500 m and width is 850 m
)
Type of exploitation
Agricultural - animal - research - service
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
60
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Source / Researcher based on the Directorate of Agriculture in NajafSecond / Proposed
reserves to be established in Najaf Governorate
A notable geological feature in the Najaf Governorate
and the alluvial plain area is the Najaf Sea Depression
Reserve (Jasb Kazim, 2014). Its astronomical
coordinates are (43.30 - 44.30) east longitude and
(31.30 - 32.10) north latitude. It stretches along the
western plateau's edge and to the west of the
Euphrates River in central Iraq's Najaf Governorate (Al-
Khafaji, 2014). According to Ayed Jassim Al-Zamili, the
alluvial plain is like a tongue that reaches out into the
western plateau. From Najaf, it is around 7 miles away.
From its elevated position, the city offers a panoramic
view of the depression. A picturesque panorama
unfolds before them as one stands atop the plateau: a
verdant carpet of fields, palm trees, and orchards (Al-
Shadidi, 2020). There are 6,696.9 hectares of land on
the property. At the depression, the alluvial plain
meets the western plateau. It is a geographical feature
that stretches parallel to the Euphrates River and is not
more than fifteen kilometers away from the river. Its
width varies; in its southeast, it is sixteen kilometers
wide, but in the middle, it narrows to ten kilometers,
and it cuts forty kilometers across the desert, from
Najaf in the northwest to Al-Hirah in the southwest,
along the route that connects the two cities. Also, the
strategic line forms its western boundary, and the
Najaf-Mishkhab road is its eastern one (Salman, 2019).
Its very essence is that of a watery swamp. The Najaf
Sea depression ranks high among the governorate's
most significant natural occurrences.
A fracture line in the earth's crust has led to its
subsidence, indicating the high eastern edges (Al-
Ansari, 2008, p. 331). Three main streams branching
from the Al-Jahhat stream branching from the
Euphrates River run in the lands of the depression,
which are the Al-Sudair streams. Al-Naamani and Al-
Hirah, in addition to the fourth table, are bordered on
the eastern side by the Dasm table. It can also be noted
that the depression enjoys natural and human features
and data that can be invested in tourism, the most
important of which is that the region enjoys a large
area of water bodies in addition to agricultural lands
and palm groves that add a picturesque beauty to the
region. The depression also surrounds the Tarat area,
which is characterized by geomorphic land features
resulting from wind erosion. It has striking and
attractive shapes. As for the location, the Najaf Sea
depression enjoys locational advantages resulting
from its proximity to the city of Najaf, which gives it a
unique view and attractive views, in addition to its
proximity to the shrine of Imam Ali (peace be upon
him). The depression is also characterized by the ease
of access after being linked to paved roads, the most
important of which is the circular road facilitating the
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
61
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
process of reaching the depression. One of the
essential natural potentials that can be invested in the
region is the biodiversity that the depression is rich in,
including birds, fish, and wild and aquatic plants, which
can be invested in establishing natural reserves that
encourage people to visit. Tourists 0 (Al-Shadidi, 2020,
p. 166).
Map (2) Najaf Sea Depression
\
Source: Researcher's work based on the Ministry of Planning and Development
Cooperation, Geographic Information Systems Division, using Arc Map 10.8.
Biodiversity in the Najaf Sea: It is considered one of the
important sites for biodiversity in the Najaf
Governorate due to the aquatic environment that
distinguishes it. It is located within a semi-desert
environmental region surrounding it from many sides.
Many site studies have been conducted that indicate
the richness of this region in the biodiversity present in
it, in addition to the survey conducted by the work
team to monitor the biological species present in the
early fall of 2018 (the beginning of the bird migration
season). A biodiversity survey was conducted in the
Najaf Sea region, where the list of biodiversity of the
Najaf Sea depression included (104) vertebrates,
including two species of fish, (14) species of reptiles,
two of which are listed on the International Union for
Conservation of Nature's Red List as endangered
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
62
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
species, namely (Euphrates kingfisher and Egyptian
lizard), in addition to one of the gecko species (the
semi-endemic Iranian short-toed gecko, whose largest
range of spread is in Iraq). It also recorded (73) species
of resident or migratory birds dating back to (30)
Families that include several species of local
importance and others that are vulnerable or
threatened with extinction according to the
International Union for Conservation of Nature Red
List, such as (flamingos, red-bellied hyenas, veined
hyenas, Egyptian vultures, Iraqi partridges, grey
hyenas, and Iraqi warblers), and 15 species of
mammals, one of which is considered close to
threatened with extinction, which is the striped hyena.
Twenty-nine species of plants were recorded, and they
were well adapted to the desert conditions prevailing
in the region. There were also a few examples of
aquatic plants. Nine species of reptiles were recorded,
the most important of which are (Egyptian lizards and
Iranian short-toed geckos). They conducted a study of
birds present during the year's four seasons for both
the aquatic area and the surrounding desert area,
where 168 species were recorded during the study
period. The list included two species of endangered
birds, namely (the Egyptian vulture and Basra reed
warbler), four species at risk of extinction, namely (the
veined harrier, greater spotted eagle, gazelle falcon,
and Asian bustard, and five species near threatened,
namely the pallid harrier, white-eyed harrier, black-
tailed harrier, and European semi-collared flycatcher).
During the current survey, which was conducted at the
beginning of the fall season of 2018, the aquatic bird
populations in the depression were studied, where (31)
species of aquatic birds were recorded belonging to
(14) families, including one species near threatened
with extinction, namely (Black-tailed gull) Since the
area is an aquatic environment, it provides a suitable
place for birds to gather, as we noticed the presence of
large gatherings of resident and migratory birds. The
species observed in large gatherings were (Slender-
billed gulls, Little oviparous gulls, Bearded marsh terns,
and Black-tailed gulls). The dominant
plant
communities within the areas of the banks of the water
bodies are the communities of (reeds, asl, and papyrus)
plants, which are abundant in the eastern part of the
water div, and (tamarisk and eucalyptus shrubs) are
spread in a few areas near farms and orchards, or (zur
plants) within the sides of the salt marshes on the dry
banks of the Najaf Sea, and drought-tolerant plants
prevail in the dry semi-desert areas that represent the
belt surrounding the Najaf Sea, where (Aqoul, Ramth,
and Tarti' plants prevail (There is still a need to study
the plants in the region, especially during the spring
season, to assess the richness of the region in annual
and perennial plants. Several animals, such as the
striped hyena, jackal, and honey badger, have been
exposed to the threat of extinction in this region due
to hunting. Other species have been successfully
reintroduced regionally, such as the endangered
Arabian oryx and the sand gazelle. Overgrazing of
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
63
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
livestock, off-road driving, and human destruction of
habitats are considered the main threats to this
environmental region Desert. Because of these
threats,
this
ecosystem
is
classified
as
threatened/critical, according to the World Wildlife
Fund (WWF). The severity of these threats is still low in
Iraq, especially population expansion and off-road
driving, but hunting and overgrazing are more
influential on animal and plant diversity. There is still a
need to declare several natural areas as reserves in this
environmental region for Iraq to preserve the
environmental pattern that distinguishes it and its
biodiversity. As for the endemic plants in the region,
there is still a need for field surveys in the spring
seasons to document the important species at the
national level. As for animal diversity, (16) species have
been documented; the threat status varies from
threatened to near-threatened for each of the birds,
mammals, and reptiles. Birds include (12) species, and
mammals have lost two species close to threat: the
striped hyena and the sand cat, recorded for the first
time in Iraq in the Najaf desert. There are two reptile
species, one at risk of extinction and the other
threatened (Ministry of Environment, Marshlands
Department). Sustainable Management of Natural
Ecosystems, World Heritage (Section, Dalal Ali Qais et
al., 2018).
Section Four
Field Study
The questionnaire form is one of the practical methods
that most researchers resort to collect and investigate
information related to the research topic and reach
results.
Section One: This section includes the statistical
distribution of the research sample and includes a
group of agriculture and environment officials in
addition to officials of Najaf Governorate, where the
sample consisting of 50 individuals was distributed and
their demographic characteristics are shown in the
figures below.
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
64
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Figure (1) Social gender
Figure (2) Age Distribution
Figure (3) Distribution by educational level
Male(34)
Female(16)
0
5
10
15
20
25
From 18 or younger
From(18-30)
From(31-40)
From(41-50)
50+
0
2
15
25
8
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
65
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Section Two
: As it displays the responses of the study
sample to the paragraphs of the questionnaire, this
portion encompasses the descriptive analysis, which
comprises the following:
• Making frequency tables using survey responses.
• Decomposing the responses,
sorting the paragraphs
by the coefficient of variance, and processing them
based on the mathematical mean and standard
deviation.
For the paragraphs on the tourism development plans
variable (n=50), the statistical mean, standard
deviation, and coefficient of variation are not just
numbers but the essence of our research. They are
displayed in Table (2), providing a deeper
understanding of the data. Table 2
No.
Sample answers
Arithmetic
mean
Deviation
%
%Relative
Importance
Agree
completely
agree
neutral
Don’t
agree
Strong
refuse
1
20
26
2
2
0
4.28
0.730
0.171
3
2
22
24
1
3
0
4.30
0.789
0.183
5
3
18
28
1
3
0
4.22
0.764
0.181
4
4
16
30
1
2
1
4.16
0.817
0.196
7
5
26
20
1
3
0
4.38
0.805
0.184
6
6
19
26
4
1
0
4.26
0.694
0.163
2
0
0
15
33
2
Primary grades
Middle school
Diploma
Bachelor's
Higher degrees
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
66
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
7
20
26
0
3
1
4.22
0.887
0.210
8
8
13
33
2
2
0
4.14
0.670
0.162
1
9
24
22
0
3
1
4.30
0.909
0.211
9
Arithmetic mean, standard deviation and
total coefficient of variation
4.251
0.621
0.146
Source prepared by the researcher based on the results of the questionnaire
Description of the answers to the variable of tourism
development plans
According to Table (2), which displays the statistical
mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation
for each paragraph of the tourism development plans,
the researcher can see that the paragraphs vary in
terms of how much they differ from one another in the
studied area. Paragraphs (6,8) came in first and second
place, respectively, suggesting that the respondents
agree that training courses and workshops should be
held for those carrying out the procedures. The
respondents also agreed that there needs to be
enough funding to set up and build projects in
protected areas. Paragraphs (9,7) ranked eighth and
ninth in the tourism development plans, which means
that the respondents agree that local communities'
knowledge and involvement in decision-making
regarding these projects are less necessary than the
other paragraphs in the survey for the projects'
success.
In general, it appears that there is an above average
level of interest in the variable of tourism development
plans, as the variable of tourism development plans
obtained a general arithmetic mean of (4.251), a
standard deviation of (0.621), and a coefficient of
variation of (0.146).
Table (3) shows the arithmetic mean, standard
deviation, and coefficient of variation for the
paragraphs of the variable of natural reserves (n=50)
TABLE (3)
No.
Sample answers
Arithmetic
mean
Deviation
%
%Relative Importance
Agree
completely
agree
neutral
Don’t
agree
Strong
refuse
1
13
0
0.186
4
0
4.10
0.763
0.186
4
2
22
24
0.189
1
1
4.30
0.814
0.189
5
3
19
0
0.193
4
0
4.22
0.815
0.193
7
4
17
29
0.180
3
0
4.20
0.756
0.180
3
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
67
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
5
13
33
0.162
2
0
4.14
0.670
0.162
2
6
19
27
0.193
4
0
4.22
0.815
0.193
7
7
24
22
0.190
1
1
4.34
0.823
0.190
6
8
21
25
0.144
0
0
4.34
0.626
0.144
1
9
13
33
0.162
2
0
4.14
0.670
0.162
2
Arithmetic mean, standard deviation and
total coefficient of variation
4.22
0.586
0.139
Source prepared by the researcher based on the results of the questionnaire
Table (3) measures the variable of natural reserves,
which represents nine paragraphs, where it is noted
that the degree of presence of these paragraphs in the
studied area differs, as paragraph (8) obtained the first
rank, which indicates the agreement of the
respondents that human activities (agricultural,
industrial and residential) contributed to the
deterioration of natural reserves. Paragraph (5) also
obtained the second rank among the paragraphs of
natural reserves, which indicates the agreement of the
respondents that interest in natural reserves leads to
an increase in the activity of ecotourism and its
prosperity, while paragraphs (6,3) obtained the last
rank among the paragraphs of the variable of natural
reserves, which indicates the agreement of the
respondents that the expansion in the establishment
of natural reserves and its role in reducing the severity
of desertification did not represent the decisive factor
among the paragraphs of natural reserves.
In general, it appears that there is a degree at an above-
average level of interest in natural reserves in Najaf, as
the variable of natural reserves obtained a general
arithmetic mean of (4.22), a standard deviation of
(0.586) and a coefficient of variation of (0.139).
Section Three: - Validity and Reliability Tests
First / Validity of the questionnaire: - The
questionnaire's validity was determined using the
structural validity approach, which involved calculating
the internal consistency index and determining the
extent of the correlation between the overall score
and each item's score using Pearson's correlation
coefficient.
Table (4): The degree of correlation of each paragraph
of the variable (tourism development plans) and the
total score of the variable (n = 50)
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
68
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
TABLE (4)
Source prepared by the researcher based on the results of the questionnaire
The table results show that all paragraphs had positive
and statistically significant values at the level (p≤0.01),
indicating a strong relationship between each
paragraph and its overall axis and high structural
validity.
Table (5) The degree of association of each paragraph of the variable (Nature Reserves) and the total
degree of the variable (n=50)
TABLE (5)
Variable
No.
Correlation
coefficient
Tourism
development
plans
1
0.810**
2
0.793**
3
0.820**
4
0.820**
5
0.875**
6
0.760**
7
0.859**
8
0.768**
9
0.912**
Variable
No.
Correlation
coefficient
Nature
Reserves
1
0.880**
2
0.893**
3
0.870**
4
0.830**
5
0.855**
6
0.790**
7
0.889**
8
0.798**
9
0.942**
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
69
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
The results from Table (4,3) demonstrate that all
paragraphs had positive and statistically significant
values at the level (p≤0.01). This indicates that all
paragraphs have a strong and necessary relationship
with the total score of the variable and that all
paragraphs have high structural validity.
Second, the reliability of the questionnaire:
Using two approaches, the researchers determined
the questionnaire's validity. The researchers used
Cronbach's alpha (Alpha) to measure reliability. Table 1
shows the results of calculating the questionnaire
reliability using Cronbach's alpha method. This
involved calculating the stability coefficient for each
questionnaire variable and then calculating the
stability coefficient for the entire questionnaire.
Table (6) Values of Cronbach's alpha stability
coefficients for the questionnaire variables and the
total score of the questionnaire
Table (6)
Variables
No.
Cornbrash’s alpha
reliability
coefficient
Tourism development plans
9
0 .983
Nature reserves
9
0.921
Complete questionnaire
18
0.990
Source prepared by the researcher based on computer results
It is clear from the results of Table (6) that Cronbach's
alpha stability values for the questionnaire variables
ranged between (0.921 and 0.983) while the stability
values for the entire questionnaire were (0.990), which
are high and acceptable stability coefficients.
Reliability by split-half method:- (Split-Half)
The questionnaire was divided into two homogeneous
groups. The reliability test was used to identify the
degree of sample homogeneity. The Spearman-Brown
equation was used for the split-half because we can
predict the stability coefficient for any scale by
knowing its half. The Guttman coefficient was used for
the unequal groups, as shown in Table (7).
Table (7) Correlation Values for Questionnaire Variables
Variables
No.
Spearman's
coefficient
Getman
Factor
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
70
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Tourism development
plans
9
0.971
0.862
Nature reserves
9
0.947
0.924
Complete questionnaire
18
0.979
0.989
Source prepared by the researcher based on computer results
It is clear from Table (7) that the stability coefficient by
the split-half method for the values of the Spearman-
Brown coefficient were between (0.947 - 0.979) while
the values of the Gitman coefficient were between
(0.862- (0.989) which are high and acceptable stability
coefficients
Section Four: - Testing Research Hypotheses
1. Correlation Relationships between Research
Variables
Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, the data
presented here support the study's null hypothesis,
which states that nature reserves in the Najaf
Governorate and tourism development plans are
significantly correlated. The following demonstrates:
Table 8 displays the statistical results of the Pearson
correlation coefficient that were utilized to investigate
the association between the variables of nature
reserves and tourist development plans.
Table (8) Statistical indicators of the correlation
relationship between the variable of tourism
development plans and nature reserves (n = 50)
Table (8)
Tourism Development Plans
Indicators
Axes
Correlation
coefficient value
Calculated (t)
value
Moral value
Nature reserves
0.985
35.533
0.000
Source: Prepared by the researcher based on computer results
It is evident from the previous table that the variables
of natural reserves and tourism development plans are
strongly correlated with each other. The results
demonstrated a correlation coefficient of 0.985 at a
significance level of p≤ 0.01, thus supporting the first
central hypothesis, which states a significant
correlation between the two in Najaf Governorate.
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
71
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
1. Influence relationships between research variables
This part aims to provide evidence supporting the
second central research hypothesis, which states that
natural reserves in the Najaf Governorate substantially
impact tourism development plans. Moreover, the
hypotheses that sprang from it, in which the impact of
tourist development plans (the independent variable)
on natural reserves (the dependent variable) was
demonstrated using a simple linear regression test.
The results of the basic linear regression, which were
crucial in confirming the second main hypothesis, are
clearly presented in the accompanying table:
Table (9) Statistical indicators of the impact of tourism
development plans in nature reserves (n=50)
Table (9)
Indicators
Axes
Calculated
value of
F
Coefficient of
determination
R2
Value of
slope
constant
(
β
)
Significance
level
Sig.
Electronic
Transparency
43.212
0.598
0.774
Dal at 1%
level
Source: Prepared by the researcher based on computer results
Based on the data in the table, it is evident that natural
reserves were positively affected by tourism
development plans since the computed value of (F)
was (43.212), and this relationship was statistically
significant at a level of (p≤ 0.01). The coefficient of
determination was 0.598, which indicates that the
variable of tourism development plans can explain
59.8% of the variation in natural reserves. A change of
(1) in the value of the variable of tourism development
plans results in a shift of (0.774) in the variable of
natural reserves, according to the regression
coefficient, which has a value of (0.774). So, we can
accept the second central hypothesis: that this
relationship significantly impacts efforts to expand
tourism in the natural reserves of Najaf Governorate.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
: Through the research, the researcher
concluded the following
1.The
importance
of
implementing
tourism
development plans as a mechanism through which the
natural potential of the region can be exploited, which
contributes to its environmental and tourism
development.
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
72
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
2. The region in which the research was conducted has
multiple natural sites, including aquatic and terrestrial
sites, and a diversity of wildlife that could become
national reserves in the future that preserve the
genetic heritage and become natural places suitable
for
ecotourism
and
have
developmental,
environmental and economic importance at the local
and national levels
3. One of the most critical threats to the Najaf Sea
Depression that will change its ecosystem in the future
is low water levels and climate change (high
temperatures and low rainfall).
4. Urban expansion, the establishment of service
projects, and irregular sewage works threaten the
region's ecosystem and biodiversity.
5. Establishing a nature reserve requires significant
financial capabilities, in addition to the insufficiency of
the planned financial allocations to develop and
optimally exploit the sites of nature reserves in the
governorate.
6. The loss of biodiversity due to neglect and human
behavior through the excessive and irrational use of
natural resources has led to the deterioration of many
natural resources. Hence, establishing and managing
nature reserves is one of the most important ways to
preserve biodiversity.
Recommendations
:
The Researcher Recommends
1. Review the established reserves, activate their role,
and develop them by developing and implementing
new development plans consistent with the Najaf
Governorate tourist status.
2. Including nature reserves in tourism development
plans and allocating financial amounts to implement
their projects and programs.
3. Finding a competent authority to manage the
reserves by establishing a central administration and
giving all powers to facilitate the management and
supervision
process
and
end
duplication
in
management.
4 . The necessity of holding training courses and
workshops among individuals working to develop
scientific and technical capabilities in biodiversity
conservation and developing nature reserves.
5 . Encouraging scientific studies and research from
universities and relevant bodies regarding biodiversity
conservation, especially endangered species.
6 . Spreading tourism and environmental awareness to
reduce human influences that have led to the
deterioration of the vegetation cover, such as grazing,
hunting, agricultural expansion, logging, pollution, and
fires.
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
73
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
7. Work on involving residents in the management of
the reserve and not excluding them, and work on
educating and training them, as fishermen, farmers,
and shepherds' lack of conviction in the objectives of
the reserves may undermine the efforts made to
establish the reserve.
REFERENCES
1.
Ibrahim, Muhammad Ibrahim Muhammad, Natural
Reserves and Biodiversity in Egypt, Assiut Journal
of Environmental Studies - Issue 19.
2.
Al-Ansari, Ali Raouf, Tourism in Iraq and its Role in
Development and Reconstruction, First Edition,
Hadi Press, Beirut, Lebanon, 2008.
3.
Bakri, Raafat Abdel Raouf Muhammad, Developing
the
Foundations
of
Recreational
Tourism
Development Plans in the Red Sea and South Sinai
Sector in Light of Recent International Changes
2020.
4.
Al-Hassan, Jassim Kazim Abdul, The Volcanic Sea of
Najaf, Lark for Philosophy, Linguistics and Social
Sciences, Issue Fifteen, Sixth, 2014.
5.
Al-Hadwa,
Susan
Andre
Saba,
Tourism
Development and the Role of the Local Community
(Case Study of Beit Jala City), Master's Thesis, Al-
Quds University 2018.
6.
Al-Khafaji, Sarhan Naim, The Volcanic Sea of Najaf
Depression, Uruk for Humanities, Volume 7, Issue
3, Year 2014.
7.
Khalaf, Hussein Munim, Tourism Planning and Its
Impact on Religious Tourism (Najaf Governorate,
Case Study), Middle Euphrates University, Moein
Magazine, Issue Seven, 2021.
8.
Al-Dulaimi, Safaa Jassim, Sadiq Naghamish Jassim,
Spatial analysis of promising natural reserves in the
desert of Muthanna Governorate, Al-Qadisiyah
Journal of Humanities, Volume (23), Issue (1), Year
2020.
9.
Al-Zamili, Ayed Jassim, Muthanna Fadhel Ali,
Natural components of Najaf Governorate and
proposed possibilities for investing and developing
tourism, University of Kufa, College of Arts.
10.
Zarqa, Hanadi, Natural reserves, their importance,
places of their existence.
11.
Samia, Ahmed Meli, The importance of tourism
planning in developing the tourism sector, a case
study of Algeria, Journal of Commercial Research
and Studies, Volume 4, Issue 2, 2020.
12.
Salman,
Alia
Hussein,
Environmental
characteristics (natural and biological) in the Najaf
Sea Depression and the possibility of investing in
establishing a nature reserve, Journal of Dhi Qar
Arts, 2019.
13.
Al-Shadidi, Hussein Ahmed, Researcher Maryam
Mudhar
Abdul
Hadi,
The
tourist spatial
environment of Najaf Governorate - An investment
planning vision, Issue 57, 2020, Center for Urban
and Regional Planning for Graduate Studies,
University of Baghdad.
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
74
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
14.
Abbas,
Zahraa
Suwaid
Faisal,
Planning,
Development and Tourism Research, University of
Babylon, College of Education for Humanities.
15.
Omar et al., Asmaa Mahfouz, The role of tourism
planning in achieving sustainable tourism
development in Wadi El Rayan Protected Area,
International Journal of Heritage, Tourism, and
Hospitality, Volume Eleven, Issue (1/1), March 2017,
issued by
Appendix (1)
Questionnaire Form
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings. The
questions presented in this questionnaire form are part
of a significant research entitled (The impact of
implementing tourism development plans on the
environment (a case study of natural reserves in Najaf
Governorate). Your accurate responses and unique
points of view are crucial to this research's success and
the service of Iraqi universities.
With all due respect
Assistant Professor: Shaima Issa Jassim
Department of Tourism Technologies / Najaf Technical
Institute / Middle Euphrates University
First axis / Personal information
:
masculine
(
34
)
Faminine
(
16
)
sex
1
Less than 18 (0) From 18 to 30 (2) From 31-40 (15)
From 41-50 (25) 50 and over (8
)
age
2
Primary school or less (0) Intermediate or preparatory
(0) Diploma (15) Bachelor’s degree (33) Higher
certificate (2
)
Academic
achievement
3
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
75
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
The second axis: tourism development plans
ت
Agreement rate
Totally
agree
5
agree
4
neutral
3
Not
agree
2
Firmly
not
agree
1
1
Does tourism development contribute
to improving the infrastructure of
protected areas
?
32
12
6
-
-
2
Do tourism development plans in
protected
areas
enhance
job
opportunities
and
reduce
unemployment
?
30
15
3
2
-
3
Have tourism development plans in
protected areas contributed to raising
the standard of living of the local
population
?
20
11
15
4
-
4
Tourism development plans include
activating popular and traditional
industries using available resources
?
10
14
25
1
-
5
Development plans contribute to
reducing the deterioration of reserves
and combating desertification to
improve the tourist environment
?
33
12
2
3
-
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
76
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
6
Are the financial allocations sufficient
to establish and develop projects in
protected areas
?
-
-
10
18
22
7
Drawing boundaries for protected
areas and granting them formal legal
protection contributes to their
preservation
?
29
12
6
2
1
8
Do you think it is important to hold
training courses and workshops for
those responsible for implementing
the procedures
?
25
12
7
4
2
9
The awareness of local communities
and their participation in decision-
making in tourism development
projects is essential for the success
of these projects
.
34
10
4
2
-
Axis III: Information about nature reserves
ت
Agreement rate
Totally
agree
5
agree
4
neutral
3
Don’t
agree
2
Firmly
not
agree
1
1
Drought and lack of rainfall are among
the
most
prominent
problems
threatening nature reserves
?
39
10
1
-
-
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
77
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
2
Protected areas have contributed to
the preservation of the natural
environment, including biodiversity
?
25
12
6
4
3
3
Illegal hunting and overgrazing are
important factors in the environmental
destruction of nature reserves
?
23
12
7
6
2
4
Do nature reserves contribute to the
preservation of endangered animals
and plants
?
32
14
3
1
-
5
Does interest in nature reserves lead
to increased ecotourism activity and
prosperity
?
22
13
5
6
4
6
Does the expansion of the
establishment of natural reserves
contribute to reducing the severity of
desertification
?
27
11
8
3
1
7
Reserves have contributed to raising
environmental awareness and making
people understand the importance of
protecting nature in their lives
?
32
17
1
-
-
٨
Human activities (agricultural, industrial
and residential) at the expense of the
reserves
contributed
to
their
deterioration
?
16
7
12
10
5
Volume 04 Issue 10-2024
78
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
10
P
AGES
:
46-78
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
٩
Financial constraints and the provision
of financial allocation still constitute
major obstacles to the conservation
and development of reserves
?
40
7
3
-
-
