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

[Anthea]

Watchdog expects Iraqi drought

Iraq is facing drought during a period that was supposed to be a rainy season, an official from one the country's climate change centers warned on Saturday, adding that “the climate change could be blamed for the weather change in Iraq this year and probably the last few years."

Harry Istepanian, director of the Iraq Climate Change Center (IC3+), told Rudaw in an interview on Saturday that “We have seen the drought in a period that was supposed to be wet for Iraq with the rainy season this time. Unfortunately, this could not happen,” he added.

Iraq Climate Change Center (IC3+) describes itself as “an independent research and policy think tank dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by climate change in Iraq.”

The Green Iraq Observatory, a non-governmental organization monitoring the country’s weather also warned last Wednesday that Iraq will experience the shortest winter in decades, citing continued seasonal disruption linked to climate change,

"The upcoming winter in Iraq will be the shortest compared to those of the past few decades," the Observatory warned on Wednesday, adding that "the shortening of the winter season in Iraq is one of the effects of ongoing climate change."

The Observatory further noted that "there is a fear among Iraqi citizens that the coming years might not see a winter season at all," adding that winter may end by late February or early March this year, compared to previous decades when the season lasted from October to April. It also warns that summer conditions may extend from April to October.

Istepanian warned that the consequences already extend beyond weather abnormalities, pointing to climate-induced migration. “According to the IOM, for example, the number right now is about 170,000-180,000 people who are displaced from different regions in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region… And this is going to continue if things continue like this,” he said.

Istepanian also added that Iraq is losing “five to ten percent of its agricultural land every year” due to water shortages and desertification, and that water reserves are at their lowest levels in decades.

He noted that Iraq emits about “240 million tons” of CO2 equivalent annually and is not meeting its reduction commitments under the Paris Agreement.

In February, Torhan al-Mufti, advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq on water, stated that Iraq is among the top 15 most impacted countries globally by climate change

The World Resources Institute lists Iraq among 25 countries facing “extreme water stress,” meaning it uses over 80 percent of its available water resources - making it highly vulnerable to drought.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/071220254

[Anthea]

First Heavy Snows as Winter Descends

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – As the calendar pivots to mid-December, a distinct and formidable atmospheric shift has descended upon the Kurdistan Region, heralding the definitive arrival of the winter season with a convergence of low-pressure systems that promise to reshape the landscape over the next 48 hours

Meteorological authorities have confirmed that a new wave of weather instability has reached the area, bringing with it a complex mix of moderate rain, atmospheric dust, and, most significantly, the season's first heavy snowfall across the high mountains and border regions.

This meteorological event marks a critical transition point for the geography of the Kurdistan Region, transforming it into an arena where blue skies surrender to dense cloud cover and the thirsty earth is finally quenched by a sustained deluge, signaling the opening of what experts describe as the traditional gateway for the entry of intense cold and radical climatic changes.

The onset of this system on Friday, December 12, 2025, has introduced an immediate alteration to daily life across the cities and rural hinterlands alike.

According to the latest forecasts, the skies over the major urban centers have been completely blanketed by clouds, ending a period of relative stability. However, the situation is not limited to mere overcast conditions; rather, a pattern of drizzle and moderate rain has begun to intermittently cover most areas, washing over the plains and valleys.

Simultaneously, a layer of dust has been observed covering parts of the cities, adding a texture of grit to the incoming moisture.

This combination of rain and dust serves as the prelude to a much colder front, with temperatures recorded on Friday dropping by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius compared to the preceding days, a tangible indicator that the warmth of autumn has finally dissipated.

While the cities experience the damp chill of rain, the high mountainous areas and border regions are witnessing a far more dramatic transformation.

For the first time this season, heavy snow is whitening the peaks, altering the visual and physical character of the region’s topography. This snowfall is not merely a weather event but a seasonal milestone, visually confirming the onset of the winter season in the Kurdistan Region.

The arrival of the snow is accompanied by shifts in wind dynamics, with speeds ranging between 10 and 20 kilometers per hour. These conditions have had a measurable impact on navigational clarity, with visibility decreasing to a range of 6 to 8 kilometers, necessitating caution for travelers navigating the winding mountain roads that connect the region's districts.

The implications of this weather system extend far beyond the immediate inconvenience of wet streets and cold winds. This wave is viewed as being of immense strategic importance for the environmental health and agricultural sustainability of Kurdistan.

The precipitation currently falling is critical for enriching groundwater levels, which have been depleted during the drier months. For the farming communities that form the backbone of the region's rural economy, this rain represents a vital resource, quenching the soil and preparing the land for the coming agricultural cycles.

Furthermore, the aesthetic transformation of the mountains into snow-capped peaks lends a "magical scenery" to the area, a phenomenon that is eagerly anticipated annually by tourists and locals alike who flock to the highlands to witness the winter spectacle.

The effects of this atmospheric instability are projected to persist and evolve as the weekend progresses. Forecasts indicate that the conditions observed on Friday will continue into tomorrow, Saturday, December 13, 2025.

The early hours of Saturday are expected to remain dominated by cloudy skies, with rainfall continuing to drench most areas. In the border regions, the snow will continue to fall, deepening the accumulation on the high ground.

However, meteorologists predict that this specific wave of rain and snow will not be prolonged indefinitely.

The system is expected to taper off and conclude by Saturday night, leaving behind a chilled and altered landscape. Even as the precipitation ceases, temperatures will remain at a low level, maintained by continuing southeasterly winds, while the sky is expected to transition to a partly cloudy state.

The temperature gradients predicted for Saturday highlight the diverse climatic zones within the Kurdistan Region. Soran is forecast to be the coldest area, with a high of only 8 degrees Celsius, reflecting its elevation and proximity to the snow line. In stark contrast, the Garmian administration is expected to be the hottest area, reaching 15 degrees Celsius.

The capital, Erbil, along with Sulaimani and Halabja, are all predicted to see highs of 13 degrees, while the northern cities of Duhok and Zakho are expected to reach 14 degrees. Kirkuk is forecast to match Garmian’s 15 degrees, while the mountainous towns of Akre and Amedi will see temperatures of 13 and 10 degrees, respectively.

As the second half of December begins, this weather event serves as a reminder of the region’s dynamic geography.

The convergence of low-pressure systems has effectively opened the door to winter, bringing the cold, the rain, and the snow that are essential for the renewal of the land's resources. For the next 48 hours, the Kurdistan Region will remain under the influence of these elements, as the mountains turn white and the valleys drink their fill, setting the stage for the months of cold that lie ahead.

This new weather forecast follows a period of heavy rainfall that severely disrupted daily life in the Kurdistan Region, causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and agricultural assets, and resulting in five confirmed fatalities.

Recent torrential rains and flash floods across the Kurdistan Region have caused widespread destruction, particularly in Sulaimani province, Garmiyan, Chamchamal, and pockets of Erbil and Duhok.

Heavy downpours earlier in the week triggered sudden flooding that destroyed more than 200 fish farms in Erbil’s Taqtaq district, wiping out over 800,000 fish and damaging essential agricultural equipment, public parks, and private gardens.

The disaster inflicted extensive damage on homes and local infrastructure, with preliminary estimates indicating that around 150 houses were affected in Garmiyan alone, while Chamchamal District reported damage to approximately 500 homes and more than 100 shops.

The severe weather also disrupted major road networks—such as Sulaimani-Chamchamal, Kirkuk-Baghdad, Kalar-Rizgari, and Kifri-Rizgari—isolating communities and straining emergency response capacity.

Despite the destruction, the heavy rains delivered a measurable boost to the region’s water reserves.

Officials reported that the Kurdistan Region captured roughly 250 million cubic meters of water, contributing to a broader nationwide increase of 700 million cubic meters in Iraq’s overall reservoirs.

Lakes, dams, and groundwater sources saw significant replenishment, easing long-term concerns over summer water shortages.

Snowfall in Soran, Sidekan, and other high-altitude areas compounded the disruption, triggering landslides, blocking border crossings, and halting trade and travel.

In response, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has mobilized a comprehensive emergency effort. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani ordered immediate assistance to flood-affected communities and rapid reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, including nearly 40 schools in Chamchamal.

Compensation committees, crisis-response units, and civil defense teams have been deployed across all affected administrations; water-treatment facilities have implemented temporary shutdowns due to high turbidity, with officials urging the public to conserve water.

Charitable organizations—including the Barzani Charity Foundation and the Kurdistan Foundation—have sent aid convoys, distributed supplies, and established temporary shelters for displaced families.

As cleanup operations continue and damage assessments expand, the region is now transitioning from immediate disaster response to medium-term recovery, setting the stage for close monitoring of the upcoming 48-hour weather outlook and its implications for a heavily impacted population.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/88 ... r-descends

[Anthea]

Erbil Clears Hundreds of Mines

Authorities in Erbil said mine-clearance operations made significant progress last month, with hundreds of explosive devices destroyed and large swathes of land rendered safe, as the Kurdistan Region continues efforts to address decades-old contamination

Ali Abdulrahman, director of the Directorate of Mine Affairs in Erbil, told Kurdistan 24 on Wednesday that teams destroyed 559 anti-personnel mines during the past month alone and cleared 755,646 square meters of land of explosive hazards.

He said that since the beginning of the year, mine-clearance units operating across Erbil province have removed and destroyed a total of 1,559 anti-personnel mines and two anti-tank mines. In addition, 22,988 pieces of unexploded ordnance were eliminated, along with one improvised explosive device.

Abdulrahman said clearance work this year also included 10 minefields and other high-risk areas, which have now been secured and returned to their owners for civilian use.

Despite the progress, he warned that explosive remnants of war continue to pose a deadly threat. Over the past 11 months, six people have been killed by mine-related incidents within Erbil province, while four others were injured and left with permanent disabilities.

Large areas of the Kurdistan Region remain affected by mines and unexploded ordnance dating back to successive conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq war, the 1991 Gulf War, and years of internal fighting. According to the Directorate of Mine Affairs, the region initially contained about 779 square kilometers of contaminated land, of which 576 square kilometers have been cleared so far.

Officials say demining remains a long-term priority for the Kurdistan Regional Government, both to protect civilians and to enable agricultural activity, infrastructure development, and the safe return of displaced residents to former conflict zones.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/901914

[Anthea]

Desertification Threatens Iraq’s Food Supply

Desertification in Iraq has moved beyond an early warning phase and is now posing a direct threat to vast tracts of land and the country’s food security, according to newly released official data

A report by the Central Statistical Organization under Iraq’s Ministry of Planning shows that about 96.5 million dunams of land are now vulnerable to desertification, while more than 40 million dunams have already degraded into desert. The figures point to a deepening environmental and economic crisis driven by climate pressures and long-standing water management challenges.

The data also highlight a sharp contraction in agricultural activity. In 2024, only 11.9 million dunams were cultivated nationwide. Of that total, land irrigated by river water fell to just 1.5 million dunams, underscoring the impact of dwindling flows in Iraq’s main waterways.

Agricultural and environmental specialists attribute the decline to a combination of external and internal factors. Regionally, dam construction and water diversion projects in neighboring countries, notably Turkey and Iran, have reduced Iraq’s share of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. At the same time, climate change has intensified pressures on the sector, with Iraq ranked among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries due to rising temperatures and declining rainfall.

Domestically, weak water management has compounded the problem. The limited adoption of modern irrigation systems and heavy reliance on groundwater wells have accelerated aquifer depletion and increased soil salinity, further undermining productivity.

“What we are witnessing is not a short-term fluctuation, but a systematic erosion of the foundations of agricultural production,” said Saleh Mahdi, an agricultural engineer, describing the situation as the most severe crisis the sector has faced in decades.

The consequences extend well beyond reduced crop output. Environmental experts warn that the loss of vegetation is intensifying sandstorms, with serious implications for public health. Lower river levels have also damaged fisheries and reduced overall food production, adding pressure to already fragile supply chains.

The crisis is reshaping Iraq’s social landscape as well. As farming becomes increasingly unviable, rural communities are moving to urban centers in growing numbers, straining public services and threatening domestic supplies of staple crops such as wheat and vegetables.

Once renowned as the land between two rivers and a cradle of agriculture, Iraq has gradually shifted toward heavy reliance on food imports after years of conflict, sanctions, and neglect of the farming sector.

Specialists caution that without rapid investment in modern irrigation, better water governance, and more assertive water diplomacy with neighboring states, the country risks sliding into an environmental disaster that would be difficult to reverse.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/902254