Baghdad Municipality denies plans to turn Al-Zawra Park into housing developments

BAGHDAD — Baghdad Municipality confirmed Wednesday that Al-Zawra Park will remain a public green space and will not be converted into residential complexes, dismissing online claims to the contrary as “false and misleading.”

In a statement, the municipality said recent social media posts suggesting the park’s relocation or redevelopment were “rumors aimed at distorting the image of the municipality.”

“The Baghdad Municipality categorically denies what has been circulated on some social media platforms regarding the relocation or conversion of Al-Zawraa Park into housing complexes,” the statement read.

Officials stressed the municipality’s commitment to preserving Al-Zawra Park as one of the capital’s main public green areas and urged citizens to rely on official channels for accurate information.

Al-Zawra Park, one of Baghdad’s largest urban green spaces, includes walking paths, sports fields, and a lake that supports local wildlife.

The municipality’s statement follows growing public concern over the rapid loss of green spaces in the city due to unregulated construction. In recent years, large portions of agricultural and public land have been converted into residential and commercial zones, contributing to worsening environmental conditions.

Iraq faces escalating environmental challenges, including rising temperatures, water scarcity, and desertification. The country is ranked among the world’s five most affected by climate change, losing tens of square kilometers of arable land each year.