Anbar launches expanded afforestation campaign to combat desertification

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Contemporary Environmental Team in Al-Baghdadi subdistrict, Anbar Governorate, has launched an afforestation campaign under the direct supervision of the Anbar Environment Directorate and the Hit Environmental Unit, in coordination with the local administrations of Al-Baghdadi and Jubba subdistricts and the Al-Baghdadi Municipal Directorate. The initiative falls under broader Ministry of Environment efforts to execute sustainable ecological initiatives across the governorate. Ahmed Al-Mahmoud, head of the Contemporary Environmental Team in Al-Baghdadi, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the campaign involves planting diverse climate-resilient tree and shrub varieties suited to local environmental conditions. The project aims to expand green cover, enhance air and environmental quality, and combat desertification across western Iraq. Al-Mahmoud stressed the critical role of inter-agency cooperation among municipal departments, local administrative units, and grassroots volunteer initiatives in executing successful afforestation projects. He emphasized that these greening efforts should be continuous rather than seasonal, noting that the campaign will expand into other areas of Anbar Governorate in upcoming phases. He also highlighted that long-term campaign viability requires continuous care, systematic irrigation networks, and ongoing maintenance to guarantee sapling survival, transforming planted zones into sustainable green spaces capable of restoring ecological balance and mitigating climate vulnerabilities.