The role of groundwater in the development of human settlements in semi- desert areas (Ain Al-Tamr district as a case study)

Abstract

The research addressed the importance of groundwater in the development and stability of human settlements in semi-arid zones. Ain al-Tamr district in Karbala governorate was chosen as a model for this, as the excessive exploitation of groundwater without sustainable alternatives directly threatens the stability of Ain al-Tamr district, as this source has a significant impact on the stability of the district, in addition to the need for optimal exploitation of groundwater in establishing projects in agricultural, industrial, tourism and domestic activities.

The study also recommended the use of new irrigation methods such as pipe irrigation, sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation, and the use of appropriate groundwater management practices in the district and their sustainability to meet the challenges of water scarcity and the sustainability of this vital resource over time. Groundwater must be managed sustainably, because unsustainable reliance on it will directly threaten the social and economic stability of the region.

The study also addressed the concept of sustainable development and its goals, in addition to analyzing the most important natural and human factors affecting the establishment and development of human settlements. The study addressed the most important water sources in the district, namely groundwater as the only water source in the district, and ways to exploit it. It also emphasized the importance of raising community awareness to preserve this vital resource, which is the existential reason for the settlements, and improving the use of this water would enhance the stability of the Ain al-Tamr settlements.