Mangrove Restoration to Protect Iraq's Coastline and Biodiversity: Reviving the Marshlands

Aymen al-Rubaye, an agricultural engineer, is leading a project in southern Iraq that aims to restore mangrove forests in the Khor al-Zubair mudflats, a region near major oil fields.

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The project plans to plant up to 4 million mangrove trees to protect the coast, shelter vulnerable species, and combat climate change.

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Situated near major oil fields, the Khor al-Zubair mudflats are part of a vast energy sector that contributes to Iraq’s income.

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Thick smoke rising from a nearby petrochemical plant is a stark reminder of the ecological damage the project aims to save us from.

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The inspiration for this initiative came from mangrove forest rehabilitation projects near Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

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Mangroves have the remarkable ability to capture and store carbon dioxide, making them an effective tool in the fight against global warming.

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Planting mangroves on the tidal flats can protect coastal communities from storms and floods and preserve Iraq’s scarce freshwater resources.

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The restoration project aims to restore the natural balance of the fragile ecosystem in the region.

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The UN World Food Programme collaborates with local stakeholders to support the project, including Basra’s local government, university, and Iraq’s environment ministry.

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