Basra’s resilient marshes draw visitors despite decades of environmental threats

BASRA — The Al-Mashab and Al-Salal marshes in northern Basra have withstood climate fluctuations and remain vibrant, even as other wetlands vanish, including the nearby Hawizeh Marsh. Spanning a wide stretch of water connected to the Shatt al-Arab River, these marshes offer extended boat trips reaching the southern tip of Iraq, where Basra meets the Gulf. Recently designated as a natural reserve, they have begun to attract both Iraqi and foreign tourists, with seating areas set up along the banks for visitors.

Local authorities say these marshes, located in Al-Hartha District, are among the largest remaining wetlands in southern Iraq, surpassing other areas that have faced severe drought. Al-Hartha District Commissioner Nadhir Al-Shawi told 964 media, “The Al-Mashab and Al-Salal marshes in Al-Hartha are among the internationally registered UNESCO reserves. This year, while the water levels have not increased significantly, they have remained stable, preventing drought. We have also noticed a rise in tourism, with visitors coming from other governorates and even outside Iraq.”

He described the marshes as “the last hope” for preserving water capacity in southern Iraq, noting that other marshes, such as Hawizeh, have dried out. Residents have urged officials to devote greater attention to the region and highlight its tourism potential.

The Mesopotamian Marshes, also called the Iraqi Marshes, once covered around 20,000 square kilometers in southern Iraq within the Tigris and Euphrates floodplains. In the 1990s, then-President Saddam Hussein drained most of these wetlands as a punitive measure against the Marsh Arabs. By 2003, they had been reduced to 7 percent of their original size. After the U.S.-led invasion that year, efforts began to dismantle drainage systems, prompting partial recovery. Still, climate change, upstream dams in Turkey and Syria, and reduced river flows threaten the marshes, now estimated at around 4,000 square kilometers.

Basra resident Nasser Samari told 964 Network that tourism in the area is largely undeveloped, despite its natural allure. “The tourist areas in Basra, which reflect the local lifestyle, remain untouched and undeveloped. They only need attention, and once that happens, they will naturally attract visitors,” he said. Standing at the edge of the reserve, he pointed toward the sprawling wetlands. “This reserve extends deep into the region. From here to Al-Faw, it’s about 150 kilometers, a journey that can be taken by boat. If properly developed, river and marsh tourism could become a key economic resource for Iraq.”