Baghdad skies suffering moribund pollution

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Baghdad is suffering from a high degree of air pollution as a result of car fumes and smoke from power generators and other sources of pollution amidst efforts to increase greenery and remove plants away from cities. “The dust in Baghdad’s atmosphere and the resulting pollution are caused by drought that continued for several seasons, which is a problem that requires efforts on several fronts,” Iraqi Minister of Environment Nirmeen Othman told IraqiNews.com news agency. She referred to a program launched by her ministry in cooperation with the interior ministry to avoid importing old cars and have pre-licensing thorough examinations. “When electricity conditions improve, the smoke resulting from power generators would grow less, which should consequently contribute to reducing pollution,” Othman said. She referred to the need to increase green spaces to help lessen air pollution. “The ministry has submitted a request to the cabinet in this respect. The Baghdad Mayoralty has already embarked on implementing a project of a green belt around Baghdad. Within a few months there should be positive outcome in this regard,” she pointed out. The minister revealed that efforts to lessen pollution have extended to coordinating with the neighboring countries to alleviate the phenomenon of desertification. “There’s a five-year agreement signed in Ankara in September among Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran to treat millions of hectares of desert areas,” Othman said. AmR (S) 71