Erbil plants over 20,000 trees in push to expand green spaces

ERBIL — The Erbil Park and Gardens Directorate announced on Tuesday that it has planted more than 20,000 trees across the city in its latest effort to increase green spaces and improve the urban environment.

The initiative, aimed at enhancing greenery along Erbil’s streets and highways, involved planting trees along the central median and both sides of the 120-meter service road, spanning a total of 17 kilometers. According to the directorate, the effort focuses on key areas such as central islands, streets, and major highways.

In collaboration with the Aviar Organization and other environmental groups, the directorate has also begun planting an additional 230 trees on Mamostayan Street.

As of now, Erbil boasts 450 parks and gardens within the city center. The directorate aims to plant 100,000 trees citywide by the end of the year, part of its broader goal to increase green space coverage in Erbil to 30 percent, according to Rebin Ahmed, director of the Park and Gardens Department, who spoke to 964media.

Despite these efforts, Erbil remains one of Iraq’s most polluted cities. On July 29, 2024, local environmental group Rojgari Kurd reported that Erbil ranks second only to Baghdad in pollution levels. In response, Rojgari Kurd has launched campaigns focused on tree planting and waste management in popular tourist areas.

These efforts build on earlier initiatives, including the replacement of plastic bags with paper ones, which was later adopted by the Kurdistan Regional Government to promote environmental sustainability and public health.