Desk Study on the Environment in Iraq Desk Study on the ... - UNEP

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2 (b) Northeastern highlands: Covering approximately 20% of the country, this region extends south of a line between Mosul to Kirkuk towards the borders with Turkey and Iran, where mountain ranges reach up to 3,600 m in altitude. (c) Uplands region: About 10% of Iraq comprises a transitional area between the highlands and the desert plateau, located between the Tigris north of Samarra and the Euphrates north of Hit, and forming part of a larger natural area that extends into Syria and Turkey. Much of this zone may be classified as desert because watercourses flow in deeply cut valleys, making irrigation far more difficult than in the alluvial plain (see below). (d) Alluvial plain: Approximately 30% of Iraq is composed of the alluvial plain formed by the combined deltas of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. This region begins north of Baghdad and extends south to the Gulf coast bordering Iran. The once extensive wetlands of the region have been decimated by damming and diversion of the Euphrates in Turkey and Syria, and by large-scale drainage works carried out by the Iraqi regime. Map 3. Elevation and principal geographical regions of Iraq Northeastern Highlands Uplands Region Desert Plateau Alluvial Plain The boundar ies and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. 12 <strong>Desk</strong> <strong>Study</strong>
2.4 Key social issues The 1997 census recorded a total population of 22.3 million with a national average population density of 51 persons per sq km. 3,4 However, actual density varied from 5 inhabitants/km 2 in the western desert province of Al Anbar (Anwar), to more than 170 inhabitants/km 2 in the fertile lowlands of Babil (Babylon). Seventy-five per cent of the population was concentrated in urban centres. Average population growth was estimated at 3.6% in the period 1980-1990, but emigration of foreign workers and severe economic hardship have reduced that rate since 1990, 5 with estimated growth of 2.8% in 2002. In the same year, infant mortality was estimated at 57.6 deaths/1,000 live births, with a life expectancy at birth of 67.4 years. Women were expected to bear an average of 4.6 children. Urban Growth (2002) BACKGROUND INFORMATION SPOT Image 27 August 2002: False color composite, Bands 4, 3 and 1 Image courtesy of Digital Globe The population of Baghdad gre rew w from 3.8 to 5.6 million between een 1987 and 2002 Over the last decade, Iraq’s urban and rural society has been expanding and undergoing rapid social change. The main urban centres of Baghdad and Basra, for example, have grown at tremendous speed. The accelerated process of urbanization throughout the country (see Table 1) reflects the concentration of trade, construction, and real estate activities based on oil revenues and has resulted in a dramatic population decrease in rural areas. 6 Prior to the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq enjoyed a high standard of living, with a majority of the population making up a relatively wealthy middle class. 7 In fact, in 1990, the United Nations Develop- on the Environment in Iraq 13
Page 1 and 2: Desk Study
Page 3: Desk Study
Page 6 and 7: Foreword Every conflict generates r
Page 8 and 9: 1 Introduction 1.1 Overview This <s
Page 10 and 11: 2 Background information 2.1 Overvi
Page 14 and 15: 2 ment Programme (UNDP) listed Iraq
Page 16 and 17: 2 early May. To avert a humanitaria
Page 18 and 19: 2 FRANCOISE DE MULDER - CORBIS Iraq
Page 20 and 21: 2 day, though ongoing UN sanctions
Page 22 and 23: 2 As of 31 March 2003 there were US
Page 24 and 25: 2 estimated that only 3 to 5 millio
Page 26 and 27: 2 2002 April - Baghdad suspends oil
Page 28 and 29: 3 Summary of chronic environmental
Page 30 and 31: 3 • The adverse downstream impact
Page 32 and 33: 3 the city’s only source of water
Page 34 and 35: 3 ED KASHI - CORBIS Recent studies
Page 36 and 37: 3 In 1999, it was reported that a d
Page 38 and 39: 3 • surface and subsurface distur
Page 40 and 41: 3 Mesopotamian Marshlands (1973) L
Page 42 and 43: 3 Zoom of remaining Marshland area
Page 44 and 45: 3 massive loss and degradation had
Page 46 and 47: 3 H. PARTOW-UNEP/GRID-GENEVA Burnt
Page 48 and 49: 3 A large number of reptiles occur
Page 50 and 51: 3 agricultural investment activitie
Page 52 and 53: 4 Environmental impacts of military
Page 54 and 55: 4 Map 7. Well-documented use of ch
Page 56 and 57: 4 4.3 Gulf War, 1991 Background Kuw
Page 58 and 59: 4 Map 8. Chemical, biological and
Page 60 and 61: 4 Following the Gulf War, UNSCOM co
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4 UNSCOM - CORBIS Destroyed ed chem
Page 64 and 65:
4 A variety of studies have been co
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4 PETER TURNLEY - CORBIS Burning oi
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4 chemical analyses. Such analyses
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4 Rehabilitation and compensation o
Page 72 and 73:
4 Bomb damage to Republican Palace
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4 Of these, the first two are letha
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4 Oil Trench Fires around Baghdad
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4 Oil Well Fires from the Rumaila
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4 CENTCOM IAEA inspectors had been
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4 Iraqi Planning Ministry y during
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5 Next steps 5.1 Overview The post-
Page 86 and 87:
5 Step 3. Integrate environmental p
Page 88 and 89:
A Appendix A References and Interne
Page 90 and 91:
A 14. Tehran Times 31; October 1999
Page 92 and 93:
A 4 Environmental impacts of milita
Page 94 and 95:
A 51. UNEP. 1993. Updated Scientifi
Page 96 and 97:
A 102. http://www.washingtonpost.co
Page 98:
www.unep.org United Nations Environ
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