Volunteers plant 10,000 trees in Husseiniya to mark decade-long greening campaign

BAGHDAD — Youth volunteers in Husseiniya district, north of Baghdad, are marking the tenth year of their environmental campaign by planting 10,000 saplings in schools and neighborhoods across the area, aiming to expand green spaces and promote sustainability.

Sajjad Jawad, founder of the initiative, told 964media that the campaign’s tenth season builds on a decade of grassroots efforts to reforest the district. “We launched the campaign to plant 10,000 trees in different parts of the district as part of this environmental project that has been ongoing for 10 years,” he said.

“This year, we began in schools,” Jawad added. “We started with Al-Ghasaq Boys’ School because it was one of the first to host planting campaigns years ago and proved successful in both engagement and results.”

The ten-day campaign is taking place in all neighborhoods and schools in the district. In addition to increasing green cover, the initiative seeks to raise environmental awareness among students and residents.

Jawad said the saplings were selected for both their aesthetic and ecological benefits. “We are planting Albizia, Acacia, and long-lived trees,” he said. “School administrations are responsible for watering the saplings inside their campuses, while in other areas, shop owners or residents care for the ones planted in front of their properties.”

Artist Mohammed Maseer, a long-time participant in the initiative, said the project had produced lasting results. “Our main goal is to make Husseiniya a green city because we truly need the color green in our cities,” he said.

“Iraqi cities are witnessing increasing desertification, which does not reflect the nature or history of Iraq,” he added. “From that point, we set our goals clearly and began planting public spaces, turning them into green areas filled with flowers.”

“These initiatives not only beautify the surroundings,” Maseer said, “they bring joy to people and reflect the image of the city we all dream of. God willing, we still have much more to achieve in this field.”

Jawad credited the initiative’s long-term success to the volunteers who have carried the effort forward. “They are the foundation of its progress and sustainability,” he said.