DUBAI, UAE - The Dhi Qar Provincial Council on Sunday approved a 50 billion Iraqi dinar (around $35 million) allocation as part of a comprehensive development plan to revitalize the marshland areas of southern Iraq.

The plan will fund infrastructure and service projects across six administrative units in the province: the districts of al-Chibayish, al-Fuhoud, al-Manar, al-Tar, Karma Bani Saeed, and the sub-district of al-Fudailiyah.

“The funds will be distributed based on the specific development needs of each area,” council spokesperson Ahmed Saleem told The New Region.

Saleem noted that 1.5 billion dinars have been designated for al-Tar, one of the most underserved areas in the province. He stressed the importance of completing project assessments and detailed planning within 14 days.

The marshes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been severely affected by climate change, increasing temperatures and drought have dealt great damage to the marshes. 

The crisis has led to the loss of large areas once used for farming, fishing, and livestock, forcing many indigenous inhabitants to relocate to other parts of the country. 

Water shortages have also been exacerbated by upstream restrictions imposed by neighboring Iran and Turkey.