On former military camp
Massive ‘Baghdad Forests’ initiative set to open in 2025
BAGHDAD – The Baghdad Municipality has launched the “Baghdad Forests” initiative, transforming the former Al-Rasheed military camp into a sprawling 1,235-acre park, officials announced. This new green space, ten times the size of the existing Al-Zawraa Park, marks a significant expansion in the city’s urban landscape.
Mohammed Al-Rubaie, Director of Relations and Media at the Baghdad Municipality, informed Al-Sabah Newspaper that the Prime Minister has explicitly directed that the site be preserved exclusively for green spaces. “Any previous proposals for residential developments at the Al-Rasheed camp site are now obsolete,” Al-Rubaie stated.
The project is a collaboration between investment companies from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Iraq. Initial efforts have focused on clearing the site of waste and unauthorized structures, with plans to open the first sections of the park next year.
Rapid urbanization has significantly reduced Baghdad’s green areas, with agricultural lands frequently converted into residential and commercial zones. Al-Rubaie highlighted that the “Baghdad Forests” will serve as a crucial recreational zone, positioned between the Karrada and Zaafaraniya districts, enhancing the capital’s aesthetic and environmental appeal.
Al-Zawra Park, a major urban oasis, features walking paths, sports fields, and a lake, alongside the Al-Zawra Zoo, home to diverse wildlife such as lions, tigers, and elephants.
Ahmed Al-Abadi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Electricity, detailed the ministry’s role in supporting the project. “We are committed to developing the necessary electrical infrastructure to facilitate this significant environmental endeavor,” Al-Abadi explained.
The ministry plans to construct a new power station at the site to meet the project’s energy needs efficiently.
Iraq faces severe environmental challenges, including rising temperatures and water scarcity, ranking it as the fifth most affected country by climate change globally. The United Nations and the Iraqi Ministry of Environment report that Iraq loses approximately 100 square kilometers of land to desertification each year, emphasizing the critical need for projects like Baghdad Forests.
Baghdad municipality enhances green spaces with opening of three new parks
