The University of Basrah, in cooperation with the Directorate of Agriculture and some concerned departments, organized a symposium on the initiative to maintain and plant green areas in the governorate in preparation for the 25th Gulf Championship.
This symposium aims to discuss the appropriate plans and mechanisms for the campaign to develop existing public parks and rehabilitate and plant green areas in order to show the city in the best image in front of the guests of the 25th Gulf Championship.
The symposium included a presentation of the current reality of green spaces in the governorate center, especially the areas surrounding the sports city and main streets, and a discussion of the possibility of afforestation and rehabilitation in light of the current challenges of high salinity and temperature.
The President of the University of Basrah, Dr. Saad Shaheen Hammadi, stated in his speech that the initiative to maintain and plant green areas in the governorate will be voluntary and free by those who wish to do such work and led by a team formed from the university and some official bodies without relying on financial support from the local government budget with the development of a well-thought-out plan for sustainability in order to preserve green spaces.
Shaheen added that there will be an electronic platform to organize the enrollment process for volunteers from outside the university, and a platform for experts from the University of Basrah and the concerned departments wishing to participate in this initiative, taking into account that we do not interfere with projects referred by the local government, and God willing, this initiative will continue beyond Gulf Championship 25.
The Director of Basra Agriculture Hadi Hussein Qasim pointed to the importance of the cross-fertilization of ideas between scientific institutions and technical institutions, which results in positive projects, including this initiative, as Basra is subjected to major climatic changes, including weak vegetation cover and lack of green spaces. These challenges lead to changing the environmental reality of the governorate and this initiative will add an aesthetic touch to the city.