THE IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTING TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLANS ON THE ENVIRONMENT (CASE STUDY OF NATURAL RESERVES IN NAJAF GOVERNORATE)

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 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.