Iraq's tree-planting campaign – in pictures

The holy city of Karbala hopes to reap what it sows

Iraqi farmers wash and water recently planted palm trees in the outskirts of the holy city of Karbala, southern Iraq, 19 May 2022. The administration of the Shiite holy shrines in the city of Karbala have launched a campaign, to plant thousands of trees and various agricultural crops such as wheat, barley, palm trees, olives, grapes and potatoes in the desert surrounding the city, in order to support the local Iraqi market. The campaign also aims reclamation the vast desert lands around the city in order to represent a benefit in preserving the environment and reducing the effects of desertification and dust storms EPA / AHMED JALIL ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET

The project also involves sowing agricultural crops such as wheat, barley, palm trees, olives, grapes and potatoes in the desert surrounding the city.

The move is aimed at supporting the local Iraqi market, while the new trees will protect the city from sand and dust storms.

It is hoped vast swathes of desert surrounding Karbala can be reclaimed.

The project will not only boost agricultural output but preserve the environment, organisers hope.

The effects of desertification have been in the spotlight after a series of dust storms hit the area.

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