To combat desertification in Iraq.. Two projects to stabilize sand dunes and support forests

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[size=52]To combat desertification in Iraq.. Two projects to stabilize sand dunes and support forests[/size]

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[size=45]With the aim of combating desertification in Iraq and facing the repercussions  [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] , the Department of Forestry and Combating Desertification in the Ministry of Agriculture announced two programs that are being worked on, one of which relates to stabilizing sand dunes, while the second is based on supporting life in forests and contributing to reducing temperatures in the country.[/size]
[size=45]Yesterday, Friday, the director general of the department, Rawya Mazaal, said that "in light of the directives of the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Hamid Al-Ghazi, and the support he provided for the sand dunes stabilization project, the ministry was able to provide the amounts of contracts and wages working in the file of eliminating desertification, and a major problem was solved after sit-ins as a result of the lack of The disbursement of salaries due to the investment plan and its connection to the budget, and therefore there was a decision by the Council of Ministers to release an amount in order to provide the salaries of wages and contracts in projects working on the issue of desertification.[/size]
[size=45]Mazaal added, "The total number of these people reached 500, their salaries were paid, and the obstacle they faced after their salaries were delayed and their work in a harsh environment was overcome."[/size]

[size=31]Sand dune stabilization[/size]

[size=45]Regarding the dune stabilization, Mazaal said: “Initially, we faced difficulties after issuing the Diwani order for the dune stabilization project, but as a result of the directives of the Secretary-General, the Ministry, the Minister of Agriculture, the Technical Undersecretary, and the continuous support and communication, the problems were resolved and the project launched despite the non-arrival of the allocations. So far, and our demand for a contingency plan, the plan did not take off, but we got an advance.”[/size]
[size=45]And she continued: "A plan was directed to release an amount of 3 billion in order to start the project to install sand dunes in the governorates of Dhi Qar, Muthanna and Qadisiyah, which are a source and a well for dust storms, and despite all the problems in terms of planning and others, but so far the Ministry of Finance has not released the amount."[/size]
[size=45]She stressed, "All the problems that occurred were resolved after taking an advance from the ministry, and today the launch of the project began with great efforts by the cadres, and the work site was opened and the mechanisms were prepared and repaired."[/size]
[size=45]She pointed out that "the mechanisms began to work in the governorates of Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Qadisiyah, and the department started a first step in order to stabilize these dunes and prevent their encroachment on the highway or the so-called road of death as a result of a car overturn and major traffic accidents, and also these governorates are considered a source of dust storms and dune installation." It will contribute to providing reasons to address the two problems.”[/size]
[size=45]She noted that "the economic, social, health and environmental losses are very large as a result of these storms, which require putting an end to them with a practical program represented by the dune stabilization project, which will significantly reduce these losses and save money for the state."[/size]

[size=31]No quick results for anti-desertification programs[/size]

[size=45]She pointed out that "a number of consultants with the staff and professors in the Department of Forestry and Combating Desertification, the project manager and the rest of the department's supporters in the governorates have opened the project and the mechanisms have begun to work."[/size]
[size=45]And she continued: "We are currently dealing with financial allocations, and it cannot be estimated at a specific time, and the area is currently 4 billion acres," adding: "So far, our plan will work to install 800,000 out of 4 billion, and this is a new step in order to install other new spaces."[/size]
[size=45]And she expressed her hope for "the Ministry of Finance to release the emergency amount instructed by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi and the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers in order to make the program a success."[/size]
[size=45]She pointed out, "Programs to combat desertification due to climatic effects cannot achieve quick results because the file is large and the areas required for work are vast."[/size]
[size=45]She pointed out that "there is a governmental orientation towards this file, as it has become a global problem, and combating [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]  is part of the agreements on climate change, and Iraq is obligated to implement action plans."[/size]

[size=31]Forest Support Program[/size]

[size=45]And she added: “We are working to increase and prepare nurseries for planting and increase production capacity, as we have an ambitious plan to increase seedlings, which is an ambitious plan in the long term. Now we are starting through the directives of the emergency support law, which is a real precedent in setting a practical program to combat desertification.”[/size]
[size=45]And she indicated: “We will have a plan and program as well to support life in the forests, as we have a number of forests, which are artificial trees in several governorates, including Baghdad, Wasit, Diyala and Nineveh, as they will have a role in softening and purifying the atmosphere and reducing the high temperature, as it is considered a basic lung for absorbing gas. carbon dioxide and oxygen emissions.[/size]
[size=45]On the other hand, the Director-General of the Department of Desertification pointed out, "The water excavations are part of the water harvesting techniques, and we encourage the establishment of water harvesting techniques in any region and the nature of the pyrographic region."[/size]
[size=45]She explained that “maps control how and where the dam is built, as we have seven earthen dams in Anbar for the purpose of preserving every drop of water that falls. Samawa desert in areas that allow the construction of water harvesting dams.[/size]
[size=45]And she continued, "In 2019, these dams were completely filled and provided great needs for irrigation and animal drinking, and this in itself is a great investment that encourages us to implement water harvesting channels, which is one of the main and maximum solutions."[/size]
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