Updates: polution; hunting; animal slaughter; climate change

[Anthea]

Erbil Green Belt Aims to
Fight Heat and Pollution

Governor Omed Khoshnaw on Sunday emphasised the environmental and public-health advantages of the capital’s new Green Belt Project, describing it as a “transformative effort” for the city’s sustainable future

In a Facebook statement, he noted the initiative will establish a 2-kilometre-wide green corridor stretching some 78 kilometres around Erbil, forming a natural shield against dust storms and air pollution. The plan has already seen more than seven million olive and pistachio trees planted, he said.

Khoshnaw explained that both species were chosen due to their resilience in the region’s drought-prone climate, which allows for long-term growth with minimal water input. He said one of the most important goals is to reduce heat within the expanding city, while at the same time improve air quality and thus support healthier living conditions.

Beyond the environmental aspects, the Governor said the project also focuses on the well-being of residents by creating new recreational spaces where people can walk, exercise and spend time outdoors.

The strategy includes protecting local ecosystems and strengthening biodiversity. From an economic viewpoint, the initiative is expected to generate jobs in agriculture, tree-maintenance and related services.

Khoshnaw estimated that the belt could reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 140,000 to 210,000 tons, supporting Erbil’s adaptation to future climate risks. The design also incorporates water and soil conservation measures—including artificial ponds and smart irrigation systems—to ensure efficient resource management.

The scheme is backed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and is being implemented under the supervision of PM Masrour Barzani, who formally launched the project on 30 October. At the inauguration the Prime Minister said the plan would “significantly enhance Erbil’s climate and environment” by improving air quality and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Background of the project shows it is one of the most ambitious environmental undertakings of the region. According to KRG sources, the Green Belt is designed to encircle Erbil in a circular manner, with a width of two kilometres on average and extending beyond 78 km in length.

Technical studies indicate that the initiative could raise the capital’s green-coverage to roughly 25 per cent and is expected to capture between 140,000 and 210,000 tons of CO₂ per year. Environmental advisors emphasise the project’s role in stabilising soil, reducing dust intrusion and increasing oxygen levels, while also creating employment and strengthening community cohesion.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/899880

[Anthea]

Stray dogs sheltered in Erbil

"So far, nearly 21,000 stray dogs have been collected in the city center of Erbil. About 10,000 of them have been neutered and subsequently released," Hassan Ismail, the director of the Erbil shelter for stray dogs, told Rudaw.

The shelter was built in Erbil by local authorities in 2023 at a cost of over 480 million dinars (around $370,000). It is located on the Erbil-Gwer road.

Ismail expressed concern about dogs from surrounding areas entering the city, saying they are struggling to keep them at bay.

"Some neighborhoods in Erbil continuously cause us problems because while we collect dogs from the city center, dogs from the outskirts of Erbil re-enter the city center through specific neighborhoods," he said, adding that "This is a problem. No matter how many we collect, their numbers keep increasing."

According to Ismail, teams capture approximately 50 to 60 dogs every day, but veterinary staff can neuter only 10 to 15 dogs per day.

The high number of stray dogs in Kurdistan Region’s cities remains a long-standing concern, with population control efforts often facing criticism from animal rights organizations.

Dog shelters in Erbil and Zakho have been reported to suffer from overcrowding and a lack of food, leading to poor conditions and many of the animals dying

An estimated 30,000 stray dogs roam within Erbil province, Zhyar Jalal, head of Erbil’s services and environmental protection directorate, told Rudaw in August.

Violence against stray dogs is rife in Kurdistan, with the animals often considered a menace and a public health risk. They are commonly shooed away, beaten, hit with sticks, and killed by cars and gunshots.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/251120252

[Anthea]

Baghdad Tops World Pollution
Index Amid Toxic Smog

For the second consecutive day, residents of Baghdad are enduring suffocating air conditions as thick smog and the strong smell of sulfur blanket the Iraqi capital

The situation comes as Baghdad is ranked the world’s most polluted city, surpassing Lahore in Pakistan and Delhi in India, according to the latest global air quality index.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Baghdad reached 374, classifying it among the most hazardous levels recorded globally.

Lahore follows with an AQI of 359, while Delhi ranks third.

The AQI measures the concentration and types of pollutants in the air on a scale from 0 to 500, with readings above 300 considered dangerous to human health

Aqil Matar, head of the Meteorological Forecasting Committee at Mustansiriya University, warned that Baghdad is currently “sitting on a pollution bomb” due to high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) — a harmful gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and petrol.

He noted that the highest levels of NO₂ have been detected in the southern and southwestern areas of the capital.

Matar explained that changes in wind direction and the widening gap between daytime and nighttime temperatures have worsened the buildup of nitrogen dioxide over Baghdad and its surrounding districts.

He added that with the morning sunlight, especially during clear days, a chemical reaction occurs between nitrogen oxides and particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), producing dense smog.

This smog contains aldehydes and other chemical compounds that give the air its brownish hue and a sharp sulfuric odor.

Matar also warned of the formation of ground-level ozone (O₃) as a secondary pollutant, which emits a pungent smell and poses serious health risks.

The phenomenon is alarming,” he said, “and although we have identified the causes and proposed solutions, none of the measures taken so far have been sufficient to address the root problem

Baghdad’s toxic air has sparked growing concern among health experts and environmental organizations, who warn that prolonged exposure could lead to a surge in respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses if urgent measures are not implemented.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/900059

[Anthea]

Iraq’s Observatory Warns of Dangerous
Air Pollution Spike in Baghdad

Iraq’s Green Observatory on Sunday issued a warning over a sharp rise in hazardous air pollution levels in Baghdad, saying the capital is experiencing a “serious public health threat” due to the heavy accumulation of toxic gases and particulate matter

In a statement, the observatory said tests have shown that Baghdad’s air is saturated with harmful pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂)

These substances not only contribute to acid rain but also cause eye irritation, breathing difficulties, and increase the risk of heart disease and lung complications.

The environmental readings were described as “catastrophic,” with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 380 overnight—far exceeding levels considered dangerous to human health.

Concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) rose to 40.5 micrograms per cubic meter, more than eight times higher than international safety standards

The observatory cautioned that the pollution could spread to nearby provinces if weather conditions remain unchanged.

The severe environmental deterioration is largely attributed to the widespread burning of waste and the shrinking of green spaces around the capital.

Baghdad has, over recent days, become one of the most polluted cities in the world, with residents reporting strong sulfur odors and a noticeable drop in air quality accompanied by respiratory discomfort.

Iraqi authorities moved to contain the situation

After images showed the city blanketed in thick smog, Baghdad Operations Command ordered the closure of the entrances to the “Rasheed Camp” area, a hotspot for illegal waste burning believed to be a major source of the pollution.

The ministry urged residents—particularly children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—to limit outdoor activities until air quality improves.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/900465

[Anthea]

Water levels plummet below 30%

Water reserves in the Kurdistan Region’s dams have dropped to below 30 percent due to poor rainfall and ongoing drought, a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) official warned on Tuesday, noting that Dukan Dam has been hit hardest

“Overall, dam water levels are between 25 and 30 percent,” Rahman Khani, head of the Dams and Water Reservoirs Department at the agriculture ministry, told Rudaw. “It is true that both Dukan and Darbandikhan still hold nearly one billion cubic meters of water, but part of that is dead storage and cannot be used.”

After last year’s limited rainfall and delayed precipitation this season, the Region’s main strategic dams - Dukan, Darbandikhan, and Duhok - have all seen substantial declines.

Khani said that “for the first time in 10 years, Dukan Dam’s water level has fallen this low,” but emphasized that it is still too early to declare a drought, as the peak months for water inflow are February, March, and April.

The KRG is currently working on six new dam projects - Dwin and Bani Talaban in Erbil, Zalan and Chaq-Chaq in Sulaimani, and Bawenur and Khornawazan in Garmiyan - with a combined storage capacity of 180 million cubic meters. However, Khani noted that the main obstacle to progress is a lack of cash liquidity.

“Our problem is not the budget allocation - it’s the banks,” he said. “When contractors attempt to collect their payments, they face liquidity shortages that prevent the release of funds, stalling the projects.”

He added that the government aims to increase the capacity of Mandawa Dam from 330 million cubic meters to one billion, and is also moving forward with the Bardasor Dam, described as “very important for Garmiyan,” but expressed frustration with Baghdad’s lack of response to their proposals.

The Kurdistan Region and Iraq are grappling with a severe water crisis driven by historically low water storage, worsened by declining rainfall and upstream dam projects in Turkey and Iran. The situation has caused drought conditions in areas such as Sulaimani and Duhok, prompting some residents to leave water-scarce villages. In response, the KRG is implementing emergency projects in Erbil and Sulaimani to ease shortages and improve access to potable water.

Iraq consumes over 80 percent of its available water supplies and is ranked among the 25 most water-stressed countries in the world, according to the World Resources Institute.

The country relies heavily on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, but major Turkish dam projects - including the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) - have reduced water flow to less than 40 percent of historic levels. Reduced rainfall, rising temperatures, upstream dams, and decades of mismanagement have further deepened the crisis.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/02122025