West Virginia University Division of Forestry - Cruiser Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

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FORESTS OF IRAQ TAHIR SALIH The important natural resources of Iraq include soil, water, forests, petroleum and minerals. Of these the soil, forests and water are renewable and can be protected and maintained through proper application of applied scientific methods. Thus, they can supply the needs of the Iraqis forever. The protection of each of these-soil, water, and forests-is essential, since they are strongly interrelated. For example, well-managed forests will pro- tect the soil from erosion, reduce the flood hazard, and insure a continuous supply of water for irrigation and drinking. Petroleum and minerals are non-renewable. When the supply is exhausted, they will be impossible to replace. All of the forest land is located in the mountains of northem and northeastern Iraq. These stands occur be- tween 1,500 feet and 71000 feet elevation. No trees or shrubs are found above 7,000 feet, although the highest peak is more than 11,000 feet in height. The forest area of broad-leaved species is 11,100 square miles-this represents only four percent of the total area of the country. There are also 311 square miles of coniferous for- ests. These are restricted, however, to one locality in northern Iraq. All forests and forest land are owned and managed by the Government. There are no private forest holdings with the exception of small, scattered irrigated plantations of poplar and sycamore in bottom lands and valleys where soil is fertile and there is ample water from springs. The benefits of forests and the Iraqian forest policy can be summarized as follows: 1. Soil protection, flood control, and reduction of silting of the huge irrigation dams on both the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. 2. Protection of farm lands and towns from dust and strong winds. 3. Charcoal and fuelwood for heating of homes. 4. Furniture and construction purposes. 5. Recreation, hunting, fishing, and camping. 6. Pole supplies for villagers near the forests. 7. Creation of artificial, irrigated plantations near the towns of central and southern Iraq, where communities are in need of parks and shade. The Forest Office was established in northern Iraq in 1940. In 1953 it became the Directorate of Forests and Plantations, and the headquarters was moved to Baghdad and placed under the Ministry of Agriculture. The first forest law was enacted in 1955 and the forest policy was framed. Since that time various forest divisions have been created. These include forest management and working plans, surveying and reservation, research, publicity, accounting ffinancialj, and technical divisions. From 1950 to the present time fourteen Iraqis have graduated from forestry schools. Eight of these obtained their B.S. in Forestry from schools in the United States-three others are still studying towards degrees in this country. Three Iraqis obtained degrees in Turkey. In addition, twelve Iraqis have had two years of practical for- estry work and training at the forestry school in Cyprus, while four others received similar training in East Pak- isran. Iraq is more fortunate than other Middle East countries, since it receives capital from petroleum, has fertile soil, abundant water from the Tigris and Euphrates, and abundant cheap labor. The major needs for a strong for- estry program are educated men and equipment. With these it is hoped that in the near future there will be suf- ficient wood and shade from the forests and' vast irrigated plantations to satisfy the needs of this growing nation. 44

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