Halabja on top among areas surveyed
New GIS apps help track foresting and tree density in Kurdistan Region
HALABJA, January 21 — NGO Hasar recently unveiled a new tool offering three environmental services, including the ability to measure the number of shade trees in any given area. Shade trees, characterized by their tall, ball-shaped canopy, are known for providing ample shade.
The tool’s designer, Hawkar Abdulhaq, told 964media that the device, which links to a satellite, includes data up to 2023. The primary objective is to facilitate rapid access to results and data.
Abdulhaq explained that the tool offers three distinct services. Firstly, it enables users to determine the percentage of shade trees in a specific area by delineating the area with a tool or line within the app, which promptly calculates the density of shade trees present.
The second feature provides data on mountain regions, revealing the increase or decrease in tree populations over seven years. Notably, the tool indicates a general decrease in tree numbers since 2020, particularly in the border areas between the Kurdistan Region and Iran, possibly due to forest fires or logging.
The third service tracks changes in water bodies over the same seven-year period.
Abdulhaq recommends using the tool on a computer browser for ease and efficiency, although the same tasks can be accomplished using a GIS program, albeit more time-consumingly and requiring advanced computers.
A study by 964media using this tool revealed shade tree presence across the four provinces of the Kurdistan Region:
– Erbil governorate, encompassing areas like Qushtapa, Kesnazan, and Bahrka, showed a shade tree presence of 3.70%.
– Sulaymaniyah governorate, including areas up to Arbat, near Dukan, and around Sulaymaniyah, recorded 9.79%.
– Duhok governorate, covering the vicinity of the city center, had 11.6%.
– Halabja governorate topped the list with a significant 29.52% of shade trees, the highest in the region.
Hasar, focusing on environmental activities and climate change awareness, is based in Erbil province.