Ongoing greening efforts
Basra launches campaign to plant 100,000 seedlings
BASRA — As part of Iraq’s nationwide reforestation initiative, Basra’s municipality has launched a campaign to plant 100,000 diverse seedlings.
On Aug. 20, Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture reported planting over 6.4 million trees over the past 18 months as part of the “Iraq for Climate” initiative, which was introduced in March 2023.
Municipal authorities are encouraging residents to participate by collecting free seedlings from local agricultural units and planting them in front of their homes. The 30-day campaign will cover all districts of Basra, including government offices and schools.
Firas Abdulkhaliq, head of Basra’s municipality, told 964media: “We are planting 100,000 trees within the city, and the initiative includes all districts. We ask citizens and heads of government departments and school principals to collect seedlings for planting.”
Alaa al-Ali, head of the municipality’s media department, urged residents to care for the trees after planting. “Each citizen is entitled to collect a seedling from the nearest agricultural unit and plant it in front of their home. The goal is to create a clean environment free from pollution and desertification,” he said.
This campaign is part of Iraq’s larger efforts to address environmental degradation and improve the quality of life in the face of serious climate change threats. The United Nations ranks Iraq as the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, citing water scarcity, drought, and extreme temperatures.
In recent years, Iraq’s green spaces have significantly declined. In Baghdad, green areas have shrunk from 50% to just 17%, driven by unchecked urban expansion, weak environmental policies, and inadequate urban planning.