Restoration of Marshlands Audio – Total Run Time 1:52
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From 1991 until 2003, Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist Regime nearly destroyed the Mesopotamian Marshlands, one of the largest wetlands systems in the world. Massive drainage structures were used to divert water away from the 8,000 square miles of marshes. The 5,000-year old Marsh Arab society was exiled and nearly annihilated. Thousands and thousands of residents were brutally murdered.
With help from USAID, the American military and coalition partners, the new Iraqi government has been working to restore the wetlands at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates in southern Iraq. Reflooding has now covered 25- to 30-percent of the original marshlands. Contractors for USAID have already released 2 million fingerlings back into the marshes.
**Photos, print, TV and radio reports are from Paul McKellips who is on his second detail assignment to the U.S. Department of State’s Public Affairs GO Team in Iraq. He is permanently employed by USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Washington, DC. Farm broadcasters and affiliated interests are invited to “air,” Web cast, print and post all, or any portion, of these Ag reports from Iraq. Paul can be reached at 914-360-4141 for interviews, comments or to arrange agriculture actualities with subject matter experts.
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