July 16, 2025 – Global Affairs Canada must determine whether the proposed Human and Biodiversity Resilience in the Iraqi Marshlands located in southern Iraq is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Global Affairs Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by August 15, 2025 to:

Environment Specialists 

Global Affairs Canada 

200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau (QC) J8X 4B7

Email: CommentsIAARegistry-CommentairesRegistreLEI@international.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

This project with United Nations Development Programme addresses the inter-relationship between human livelihoods and biodiversity protection in Iraq's Mesopotamian Marshlands by: i) improving the quantity and quality of water for human and animal consumption; ii) providing alternatives to illegal fishing and poaching in marsh communities; and iii) strengthening policies and procedures at local and federal levels to better monitor the management of natural resources in the Marshlands. To achieve project outcomes, the following physical works are envisaged:

1. Rehabilitation of a fish hatchery in the city of Al-Hartha in Basra Governorate. This rehabilitation will support fish breeding, larval rearing, and fingerling production of species native to the Mesopotamian Marshlands using sustainable and environmentally sound technologies. The proposed works include the rehabilitation of five earthen ponds, the rehabilitation and partitioning of a sixth pond, the excavation of a supplementary feeder channel, repair of the hatchery perimeter fence, installation of solar-powered lighting units and a perimeter surveillance system, installation of water pumps, mechanical water filters, plastic water tanks and a water heater, and the rehabilitation of the hatchery hall through the installation of equipment, electrical maintenance, drainage improvements, and interior finishing. Upon completion, the rehabilitated hatchery will be handed over to the Basra Governorate's Directorate of Agriculture. The site is in the city of Al-Hartha in Basra Governorate, between the Hammar Marsh and the Shatt Al-Arab River.
2. Rehabilitation of four water desalination stations in the city of Al-Chibayish in Thi-Qar Governorate. The stations selected for rehabilitation are called Al-Sahaqi, Al-Bahr Al-Sinikhah, Al-Bahr Al-Gharbiya, and Abu Jolana. The objective of rehabilitating the four water desalination stations is to ensure that each consistently produces its intended capacity of clean water, and that the water produced meets potability standards. The proposed works include the installation of sedimentation tanks, water pumps, intake pipes, electrical control panels, reverse osmosis components, and pressure filters. In addition, an integrated desalination unit will be installed at the Abu Jolana station. Upon completion, the four rehabilitated water desalination stations will be handed over to the Thi-Qar Governorate's Directorate of Water. The four sites are in the city of Al-Chibayish in Thi-Qar Governorate, along the southern boundary of the Central Marshes.
3. Installation of a rainwater harvesting system in the city of Al-Chibayish in Thi-Qar Governorate as a scalable pilot for the provision of drinking water for buffaloes for four months of the year when the weather is hot and dry. Buffaloes are critical for the livelihoods and nutrition of Marsh communities. The proposed works include the installation of a roof catchment structure composed of galvanized corrugated iron sheets and steel trusses, the installation of plastic water storage tanks mounted on platforms made of reinforced concrete, the installation of a water filtration system using stainless steel mesh, as well as sand, gravel, and activated carbon, and the excavation of a ground-level water pond. The site is in the city of Al-Chibayish in Thi-Qar Governorate, along the southern boundary of the Central Marshes.