Millions of trees to be planted in Erbil as part of major green belt project
Two explosive drones downed over Sulaimani in day of security breaches
UNAMI condemns 'attack' on Yazidi IDP Camp in Duhok, urges probe
Baby born with two faces dies shortly after birth in Erbil
Peshmerga unification enters final phase, set for completion by year-end: Advisor
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Authorities in Erbil plan to establish a major green belt around the capital, which includes planting millions of pistachio and olive trees around the city. The aim of the project is to combat air pollution and climate change, an official announced on Wednesday.
'Within the framework of the project, millions of trees will be planted in a circular manner outside the 150-meter street," Sarwar Waysi, head of the parks' engineering department in Erbil, told Rudaw on Wednesday.
He noted that they initially intended to begin work on Erbil's green belt following the completion of the 120-meter circular road in recent years. However, plans changed with the decision to establish a 150-meter circular road instead. As a result, officials decided to construct a two-meter-wide green belt along the perimeter of the 150-meter road.
'The green belt will cover the parameters of Erbil in a circular manner along with the construction of more than 10 artificial lakes for watering the trees,' Waysi added.
Erbil has one of the highest levels of air pollution in Iraq. There are several causes, most notably, plumes of smoke from electricity generators and a large number of cars using low-quality fuel. Dust storms are also a frequent occurrence in Erbil.
The project aims to plant millions of pistachio and olive trees around Erbil city as a comprehensive solution to address climate change impacts, reduce dust storms, and increase urban greenery, the official said.
In the past couple days at least 40 people have been hospitalized in Erbil and Sulaimani due to the latest dust storm, sources told Rudaw on Tuesday.
Iraq is considered among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with poor water resource management and upstream dam projects in neighboring countries further decreasing the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Solin Hamdamin contributed to this article.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
6 days ago
- Rudaw Net
Millions of trees to be planted in Erbil as part of major green belt project
Also in Kurdistan Two explosive drones downed over Sulaimani in day of security breaches UNAMI condemns 'attack' on Yazidi IDP Camp in Duhok, urges probe Baby born with two faces dies shortly after birth in Erbil Peshmerga unification enters final phase, set for completion by year-end: Advisor A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Authorities in Erbil plan to establish a major green belt around the capital, which includes planting millions of pistachio and olive trees around the city. The aim of the project is to combat air pollution and climate change, an official announced on Wednesday. 'Within the framework of the project, millions of trees will be planted in a circular manner outside the 150-meter street," Sarwar Waysi, head of the parks' engineering department in Erbil, told Rudaw on Wednesday. He noted that they initially intended to begin work on Erbil's green belt following the completion of the 120-meter circular road in recent years. However, plans changed with the decision to establish a 150-meter circular road instead. As a result, officials decided to construct a two-meter-wide green belt along the perimeter of the 150-meter road. 'The green belt will cover the parameters of Erbil in a circular manner along with the construction of more than 10 artificial lakes for watering the trees,' Waysi added. Erbil has one of the highest levels of air pollution in Iraq. There are several causes, most notably, plumes of smoke from electricity generators and a large number of cars using low-quality fuel. Dust storms are also a frequent occurrence in Erbil. The project aims to plant millions of pistachio and olive trees around Erbil city as a comprehensive solution to address climate change impacts, reduce dust storms, and increase urban greenery, the official said. In the past couple days at least 40 people have been hospitalized in Erbil and Sulaimani due to the latest dust storm, sources told Rudaw on Tuesday. Iraq is considered among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with poor water resource management and upstream dam projects in neighboring countries further decreasing the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Solin Hamdamin contributed to this article.
Rudaw Net
28-06-2025
- Rudaw Net
Erbil river at risk of drying up
Water levels have dramatically dropped in Balakian River in northeastern Erbil province. It is at risk of drying up because of climate change, posing a threat to the area's agricultural sector and economy. Images show the river's water level has dropped significantly, reduced to a small stream in some parts and completely gone in others. The loss of the water has had a direct impact on aquatic life and birds. Several bird species, such as geese and ducks that rely on the river for water and food, have now decreased in the area and face the risk of disappearing altogether. Balakian river is located in the Soran administration. The region's agricultural sector has also suffered major losses. Farmers in the Balakayati area on the Iranian border who depend on the river's water for irrigating their fields are worried about the future of their crops and are calling for urgent intervention. Local residents say the river is drying up because of heat waves, drought, and decreased rainfall rates, which are part of the widespread effects of climate change in the Kurdistan Region and globally. Halgurd Sheikh Najib, head of the Soran administration, told Rudaw on Saturday that they have intensified their efforts to confront the drought. "In the future, a dam will be built in the region,' he said.
Rudaw Net
11-05-2025
- Rudaw Net
Drought drives scores of tourists to Dukan: Official
Also in Kurdistan Key Erbil water project nears completion Turkey intensifies strikes as PKK weighs disarmament: Watchdog Kurdistan Region overhauls taxi system with green vehicle shift First Crimean-Congo fever patient dies in Duhok A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The number of tourists flocking to Sulaimani province's Dukan has doubled due to low rainfall across the country, a local official said on Saturday, as citizens look to cool off amid rising temperatures. 'We make complete preparations to welcome tourists in the best way possible, and due to low rainfall and drought this year, the number of tourists has gradually increased and doubled,' Rejin Raouf, the head of Dukan tourism, told Rudaw. According to Raouf, approximately 40,000 tourists visit Dukan on the weekends, and nearly 500,000 tourists have visited since Eid. Dukan is a resort town in Sulaimani province located on the Little Zab river, making it a popular tourist destination, especially during the scorching summer months when citizens from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq seek to escape the scorching temperatures. 'Many tourists are heading to Dukan because of its weather and the availability of water,' Raouf said, adding that the resort town is fully booked until Friday. Iraq is the fifth most vulnerable to climate change, including water and food insecurity, according to the UN. It is facing a severe water shortage because of reduced precipitation, higher temperatures, and waste mismanagement. Scorching temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius are routinely recorded in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the summer, coupled with water scarcity, desertification, and reduced rainfall. The World Resources Institute places Iraq among 25 countries that face extreme water stress, meaning that it is using over 80 percent of its available supply of water and is at risk of running out of water in case of any short-term drought. With the exception of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region's provinces have seen less rain this year than the previous year, according to information obtained by Rudaw.
