Marshlands
Since 2003, USAID has helped restore Iraq's marshlands and develop the local economy. Reflooding as much as 25 to 30 percent of the original marshlands has been directed by local tribes and MWR. USAID-funded activities include national level as well as local marshland level activities.
From 1991 to 2003, the Ba'athist regime nearly destroyed the Mesopotamian Marshlands, one of the largest wetland systems in the world. Massive drainage structures diverted water from 8,000 square miles of marshes. The drainage targeted the unique, 5,000-year-old Marsh Arab society, seen as disloyal and unmanageable after the Shi'a insurrection of 1991. The Ba'athists raided settlements, killed tens of thousands, burned houses, and killed livestock. Already some of the poorest people in Iraq, the Marsh Arabs were exiled or internally displaced. Many escaped to cities, but the fewer than 100,000 that remained were forced to relocate, some as many as 18 times. Currently, water supply is diminishing due to dam construction and expanding irrigation schemes in the Tigris and Euphrates headwaters in Turkey and Syria.
Restoration of the Mesopotamian Marshlands at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates in southeastern Iraq carries political, cultural, and economic significance beyond the ecology of the wetland areas. Evidence of the atrocities committed against the marsh dwellers is still apparent. As a consequence of the drainage and destruction, the largely displaced and widely persecuted marsh dwellers still suffer from economic loss, inadequate nutritional intake, and absence of primary health care and acceptable drinking water.
In February 2004, an Iraqi and international team, mobilized by USAID's prime contractor, convened in Basra to design an action plan for the Marshlands Restoration Program. The program, led by the Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) in cooperation with USAID and other donors, will restore the marshland ecosystem through improved management and strategic re-flooding in addition to providing social and economic assistance to Marsh Arabs including health, education, and rural development.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Development of Hydrologic Model of Tigris and Euphrates River Basins. A reservoir simulation model for water allocation and flood control was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/ Hydrologic Engineering Center where MOWR engineers were trained and can train others in turn. Trainings have also been conducted on stream gauging equipment.
- Equipping Ministry of Water Resources Soil and Water Laboratory. Soil testing and water quality equipment is being installed; staff will receive training on operating the equipment.
- Monitoring and Development of an Integrated Marsh Management Plan. Rehabilitated the University of Basra laboratory, which monitors four marsh locations and collects data.
- Livestock Improvement. Established 30 alfalfa farms in the marshes to provide livestock feed. Established a veterinary service and supply of medicine to treat livestock diseases in marsh settlements. Surveyed animal diseases and treated more than 14,000 animals.
- Agriculture Development. Established 72 demonstration farms in the marshes, introducing new crops and improved management practices for sorghum, wheat, barley, and broad beans. Established eight date palm nurseries with 4,500 trees with a 90 percent survival rate.
- Fish Restocking. Rehabilitated the Marine Science Center hatchery facilities. Currently breeding high value fish (bunni) to produce native species for release into the marshes.
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