search

Let there be water

The Mesopotamian Marshes are a unique wetland ecosystem in a desert landscape, providing a home to nearly 80 bird species, rare species of freshwater fish and wildlife, and the cows and water buffalo that provide sustenance for the Marsh Arabs. The marshes are also an important stopping point for birds during their yearly migration between Africa and Siberia.

In July 2016, the Mesopotamian Marshes were inscribed to UNESCO’S World Heritage List, in recognition of their outstanding universal values. For the small network of dedicated activists who have been working tirelessly for years to protect the Tigris River and its tributaries, this was a hard-won victory.

This victory follows a tumultuous history, in which the marshes were near totally destroyed under the rule of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who accused the Marsh Arabs of sheltering rebels in the reeds, and dammed and drained the wetlands to flush out rebels and punish the Marsh Arabs.

Despite the remarkable partial recovery the marshes have made since restoration efforts began post-2003, they are now threatened by increased competition for dwindling water resources. Upstream riparians Turkey and Iran are slowly but steadily plugging away at the construction of large-scale dams on the Tigris and its tributaries, which ultimately could reduce the flow of water to the marshes by 60%.

In one of the most water scarce regions of the world, this increased competition for dwindling water resources, the lack of a transboundary water-sharing agreement and the ever-increasing realities of climate change demand serious political attention and action.

Since their inscription to the World Heritage List in mid-2016, the Iraqi government has not followed through on steps they committed to implement, and have violated conditions which must be adhered to maintain World Heritage Status. These acts have prompted UNESCO to threaten to remove the marshes from the World Heritage List.

A ‘mudhif’, a traditional reed house of the Madan, also called Marsh Arabs, in the marshes of southern Iraq.
Inside a ‘mudhif’ in Chibayish, Iraq.
The Euphrates River runs through Chibayish, which has a population of over 60,000. Marshes stretch outwards both north and south of Chibayish.
In 2016, the marshlands of Iraq were inscribed on UNESCO’s cultural heritage list, in international recognition of their outstanding universal value.
After being drained almost entirely by Saddam Hussein, the marshes have made a partial recovery. Decades later, damage from the dredging can still be seen, as in this photo.
This rare freshwater eco-system supports habitat for wildlife and hosts several species of birds and fish.
The traditional way of life of the Marsh Arabs is inextricably connected to the waters of the marshes.
The Mesopotamian Marshes are a rare wetland within a desert landscape.
It is hoped that the inscription of the marshes to UNESCO’s world heritage list will help create new opportunities for the local population, and allow them to maintain sustainable livelihoods.
Life in the marshes remains difficult for the Marsh Arabs. There is less water, higher salinity, fewer fish and heightened health risks.
While the marshes have made a remarkable partial recovery, their fate and that of the Marsh Arabs is once again threatened by reduced water flow from both the Tigris and Euphrates, the two rivers which nourish the marshes.
Activists with the Save the Tigris Campaign have been working for years to try and halt the construction of large-scale dams in Turkey and Iran which will reduce the flow of water to the marshes by up to 60%.