Authorities in Erbil province have launched a new initiative to plant 5,000 orange saplings in parks and public spaces in an effort to increase the city’s greenery as the effects of climate change continue to take their toll.

‘Our goal is not just to increase green space, but we want to change to philosophy of planting in the city. Fruit trees, especially oranges, combine visual beauty with environmental and economic benefits,” Lava Kamal, the head of a nursery in Erbil, told Rudaw on Wednesday. 

The project also includes the distribution of thousands of orange saplings to citizens for free, with the aim of encouraging them to participate in making the city greener.

It was launched by the city’s parks engineering department. 

According to Kamal, it is part of a “new environmental strategy” that gives greater importance to planting fruit-bearing trees as opposed to trees planted only for beauty purposes. 

“It is a source of pride that all these saplings are locally produced and have been grown under the supervision of our experts, so we do not need to import saplings from abroad,” Kamal noted, adding that the orange tree is suitable for Erbil’s hot climate. 

Detailing their future plans, Kamal said that “we are working on adding other types of fruit trees next year, such as figs, olives, grapes, and pomegranates, all of which are suitable for the Kurdistan Region’s climate.” 

Zahir Sabir, a resident of Erbil’s Shaqlawa district, commended the initiative as a “very good and beautiful step,” praising the choice of orange trees as “they are both fruit-bearing and provide a beautiful view in all four seasons.” 

Erbil has one of the highest levels of air pollution in Iraq. There are several causes, most notably, plumes of smoke from electricity generators and a large number of cars using low-quality fuel. Dust storms are also a frequent occurrence in Erbil.

Iraq is considered among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with poor water resource management and upstream dam projects in neighboring countries further decreasing the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.