Removing Fish Ponds in Al-Mada’in contributed to the rise of water levels in the Tigries

BAGHDAD, 30 December — The Ministry of Water Resources stated on Saturday that the campaign to remove encroaching fish ponds has contributed to the rise in water levels of the Tigris River. The campaign led to the drying of nearly 975 fish ponds in the Al-Mada’in area.

Haqqi Ismail, the official in charge of the removal campaign in the Baghdad Maintenance Department, said in a statement:

There have been operations in the Al-Bu’aytha area and along the route parallel to the Sindbad road. Additionally, we have been working to remove encroaching fish ponds in the Al-Mada’in district. Several other operations are underway throughout Baghdad Province to remove encroachments.

Approximately 975 fish ponds in the Al-Mada’in district have been filled in since the start of the campaign.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani gave pond owners a three-month grace period to market their produce. When this period ended on December 1, a new campaign was launched to eliminate all ponds in the Al-Mada’in area.

The campaign to remove encroaching fish ponds has contributed to an increase in the water level of the Tigris River and has also helped in delivering water to the southern provinces.