Baghdad Council Pursues Green Belt Project to Combat Environmental Issues

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Baghdad Provincial Council is coordinating with the Ministry of Environment to incorporate a green belt project into future planning as part of efforts to address the capital's environmental challenges. Council member Mazher Alwan al-Ghurairi said pollution, desertification, and the reduction of green spaces are priorities for the local administration. He noted that the decline of agricultural activity in southern Baghdad requires urgent programs and expert solutions. Al-Ghurairi also emphasized the importance of comprehensive programs to protect and increase the number of palm trees in the area. The council is simultaneously working with Baghdad Municipality and the State Property Department to determine ownership of lands that have been illegally converted into waste dumping grounds. Officials aim to pursue legal action against individuals who transformed these areas into dumping sites for profit.