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History & Heritage

9.30.2022

Rebirth of Mesopotamian marshes in Iraq in the name of sustainability

In the Hammar region of Iraq, the non-profit organization “A Bridge for” is building an eco-sustainable village that rejects the principles of mass tourism and aims to preserve a region devastated by war, drought and pollution. Thus the cradle of civilization is resurrected.

A traditional village, built according to ancient local techniques, to contribute to the rebirth of the Mesopotamian marshes, since 2016 Unesco heritage, cradle of Sumerian civilisation and, potentially, a destination of excellence in an Iraq that is also trying to revive tourism after the dark years and the consequences of war.

The initiative was taken by the Roman association “Un ponte per” (a bridge for), which was set up during the first conflict with Iraq in 1991 and which has continued to monitor events in that country and other crisis situations ever since. The history of the marshes between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is long and eventful. It is a rare case of a watery landscape in the middle of the desert, with a rich fauna and ancient human settlements in perfect symbiosis with the environment.

An area that has long been a disaster area

The area, consisting mainly of the Central, Hawizeh and Hammar marshes, was the largest wetland ecosystem in western Eurasia: it was home to millions of birds and a staging area for many other migratory birds, including flamingos, pelicans, teal and herons from Siberia to Africa.

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Its draining, which began in the 1950s and continued in the 1970s to open up new land for agriculture and oil exploration, accelerated in the 1980s and late 1990s under the presidency of Saddam Hussein. The massive construction of dams and canals to drive out the inhabitants, Shiite Muslims in rebellion against Sunni domination, is also responsible.

EU and UN mission to preserve it

By 2003, when the regime was overthrown, the marshes had been reduced to 10% of their original size. In the following years, however, the anarchy in which the country had long lived paradoxically contributed to their revival. The inhabitants returned, destroyed the dams and superstructures and restored the appearance and characteristics of the place.

The place is also characterized by the traditional typology of the dwellings, perfectly adapted to the habitat and using locally available materials, such as rushes and silt. We must not forget the way of life of the marsh dwellers, who maintain a symbiotic and totally sustainable relationship with their natural environment.

The “Sumereen” project, led by the association “Un Ponte Per” and financed by the United Nations and the European Union, aims to set up a system of preservation and eco-tourism for the ancient Sumerian archaeological sites and wetlands of the Iraqi marshes.

Published on 30 September 2022

#Iraq