4,000 mangrove saplings planted on Faw coast to support For a Green Basra initiative

BASRA – The long-discussed idea of creating mangrove forests in Iraq is beginning to take root, with thousands of saplings now growing along the country’s southern coast. Organizers say the trees, which thrive in saltwater, could help protect Iraq’s shores from erosion, provide habitats for marine life, and enrich coastal ecosystems.

The “For a Green Basra” campaign announced it has successfully planted 4,000 mangrove saplings across the shores of Faw district since launching the project in 2023. The saplings are spread across Ras al-Bisha, the starting point for Arbaeen pilgrims, as well as near Faw Port, the breakwater, and Hawz al-Ashar.

“Since the campaign began in 2023, we have planted 4,000 mangrove saplings on the shores of Faw,” campaign head Mohammed Abu Ataf told 964media. “This tree can withstand high salinity and high temperatures, and some have reached a height of two meters, while others are no less than 40 centimeters.”

He said the project included 2,000 saplings at Ras al-Bisha, all of which successfully took root, 750 along the breakwater at the Grand Faw Port, and the rest at Faw’s entrances and Hawz al-Ashar on the Arabian Gulf.

According to Abu Ataf, the effort was carried out voluntarily by Faw residents, who collected seeds and first cultivated them in wet conditions in September before moving them to the coastal soil. “The campaign continues after the success of this experiment and will expand to the rest of Faw and Basra in the coming months, supporting our goal of making Basra greener,” he said.