Baghdad's green revolution: Largest urban forest project begins
Shafaq News/ Iraq has begun work on its largest urban forest, a 12-million-square-meter green space in Baghdad's Al-Rasheed Camp, the Mayoralty of the Iraqi capital announced on Wednesday.
In a post on Facebook, the Mayoralty stated that the Baghdad Sustainable Forests Project aims to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and provide a recreational area for residents. It will include over one million perennial trees, green hills, waterfalls, and water pathways designed to replicate natural landscapes.
'Contractors have started clearing debris and preparing the land for development,' the Mayoralty noted, asserting that the Al-Rasheed Camp has been fully allocated to green spaces to enhance Baghdad's ecological balance.
The project will reportedly feature 28 themed forests, including the Culture and Arts Forest, Children's and Entertainment Forest, Women's Forest, Technology and Innovation Forest, and Sports and Fitness Forest. A 1.5-million-square-meter artificial lake with interwoven water channels will be a key attraction, alongside cultural and recreational facilities such as a theater, museum, cinema, and sports complexes.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani officially launched the initiative in late 2024 after the Council of Ministers approved the transformation plan in August.
Notably, Baghdad has seen a sharp decline in green spaces due to urban sprawl and deforestation, worsening air pollution, and rising temperatures.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraq Business
2 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Iraq sets New Guidelines for Awarding Investment Licences
By John Lee. Ahead of the upcoming Iraq Investment Forum scheduled for Saturday, the Iraqi Cabinet has approved a set of legal and procedural mechanisms governing the presentation and awarding of investment opportunities. The Council of Ministers issued the following decisions: Adoption of competitive evaluation criteria in cases where multiple companies apply for the same investment opportunity. If only one reputable company with relevant experience applies during the announcement period, the opportunity will be awarded to it. An investment opportunity will be considered announced and exempt from further advertisement if no applications are received; any subsequent applicant may complete licensing procedures in accordance with the law. Authorisation of the National Investment Commission (NIC) and all provincial investment commissions to issue investment licences and sign related contracts. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, these measures aim to streamline the investment process and enhance the efficiency and transparency of project allocation. (Source: Iraqi Government)
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Israel's attack on Iran: Egypt, Turkiye join Arab nations' condemnation list
Shafaq News/ Egypt and Turkiye condemned, on Friday, Israel's large-scale assault on Iran. In a statement, Egypt's Foreign Ministry labeled the Israeli Operation Rising Lion a 'flagrant and extremely dangerous escalation,' accusing Israel of breaching international law and the UN Charter, while warning that targeting nuclear and civilian sites risks 'unprecedented consequences' for regional stability. Cairo also called for diplomacy over force, stressing that true security must rest on sovereignty and justice—not military action. Turkiye denounced the strikes on X as a 'blatant violation of international law,' demanding an immediate halt to what it described as 'aggressive actions.' Regarding Israel's Attack on Iran — Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) June 13, 2025
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Israeli missiles crash in Iraq as Tehran intercepts strikes
Shafaq News/ Two missiles believed to be of Israeli origin fell in southern Iraq early Friday after reportedly being intercepted by Iranian air defenses during the ongoing Israeli military operation against Iran. A security source in Dhi Qar told Shafaq News Agency that the missiles, intercepted during the early hours of the Israeli attack on Iranian territory, landed near the entrance of al-Chibayish district in the southern part of the province. The impact created two-meter-deep craters in the ground. Another source reported that Iraqi security forces located a missile fuel tank in a farmland area in the Abayji region north of Baghdad. The tank is believed to be part of a projectile launched during the same Israeli operation. Iraqi authorities have not issued a formal response to the reported missile debris. Iraq's airspace remains closed, and all flight operations have been suspended as a precaution against further escalation. The Israeli strikes, carried out at dawn Friday, targeted several locations inside Iran, including sensitive nuclear and military sites. Iranian officials confirmed the deaths of senior military and scientific personnel. In response, Iran launched a wave of drones
