Erbil aims to plant 200,000 trees and flowers to boost urban greenery

ERBIL – The Directorate of Parks and Gardens in Erbil has announced plans to plant 200,000 trees and flowers this year, aiming to enhance the city’s greenery and environmental sustainability.

According to data from the directorate, the green coverage in Erbil’s urban center has currently reached 20%.

Rebin Ahmed, Director of Parks and Gardens in Erbil, told 964media that the planned trees and flowers will be planted in various locations across the city center.

Annually, tree planting efforts contribute to a 0.5% increase in Erbil’s green coverage. Ahmed noted that while the city has achieved a 20% green coverage rate by 2024, an additional 10% is still required to meet international standards.

In November 2024, the Directorate of Parks and Gardens in Erbil announced that it has planted more than 20,000 trees across the city in its latest effort to increase green spaces and improve the urban environment.

Erbil boasts 450 parks and gardens within the city center.

Despite ongoing efforts, Erbil continues to be one of Iraq’s most polluted cities. On July 29, 2024, the local environmental group Rojgari Kurd reported that Erbil ranks second only to Baghdad in pollution levels. In response, the group has initiated campaigns aimed at tree planting and improving waste management in popular tourist areas.