Iraq is experiencing a severe environmental crisis due to crude oil leaking into land and rivers, jeopardizing public health, agriculture, and local livelihoods. Neglected oil infrastructure, particularly in conflict-affected regions, exacerbates the issue. Experts call for urgent government intervention and comprehensive environmental management to mitigate the crisis.
Iraq is facing a severe environmental crisis as crude oil infiltrates land and rivers, posing significant threats to agriculture, public health, and local livelihoods. The once-valuable resource has morphed into a hazardous presence, poisoning the environment and harming the health of millions. Contaminated crops and rivers signal an impending disaster for communities reliant on these natural resources.
In Al-Muslaha, Baiji district, residents endure daily exposure to visible oil contamination. Describing the situation, Mahmoud Al-Qaisi, a retired Baiji refinery employee, lamented that neglected oil wells had remained untouched by government intervention for over fifty years. Despite their potential for economic benefit and boosting eco-tourism, Al-Qaisi noted that the lack of a coherent governmental strategy endangered the Tigris River by allowing oil patches to surface intermittently.
The deterioration of Iraq’s infrastructure has contributed to the oil leaks observed nationwide, particularly as old pipelines sustained extensive damage amid the conflict with ISIS. Ali Khorsheed, a former Head of the Environment Department in Kirkuk, explained that the pipeline sabotage and theft continued to be serious issues, contributing to widespread environmental damage. After ISIS’s control of oil fields in 2014, they exacerbated the problem by damaging critical infrastructure.
Despite the value placed on oil as a national resource, its erratic leakage has become a peril to public health, with residents like Ali Al-Ubaidi reporting deaths among livestock and local wildlife due to petroleum contamination. The environmental ramifications extend beyond animal life; farmlands along the road between Tikrit and Kirkuk have been devastated, leaving farmers like Saadoun Abdullah facing severe losses.
The situation is compounded by insufficient security and a lack of investment in maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure. Experts emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to address oil leaks, advocating for the modernization of pipeline systems and proactive monitoring measures. Khorsheed criticized the governmental focus on temporary responses rather than long-term solutions, highlighting an ongoing cycle of neglect.
As leaks continue to pose threats, the pollution of the Tigris River portends an expansion of environmental damage that may impact multiple provinces. The lack of decisive government intervention has led to escalating ecological crises, prompting urgent calls for sustainable solutions to protect remaining natural resources.
The environmental situation in Iraq has reached alarming levels as oil contamination wreaks havoc on public health and agricultural stability. With neglect of infrastructure and a lack of comprehensive governmental strategies, the crisis threatens to worsen. Local residents and experts urgently advocate for sustainable measures to mitigate environmental damage and preserve Iraq’s natural resources for future generations.
Original Source: shafaq.com
