A call to help restore the marshlands of southern Iraq went out in Bahrain Monday. Centre for the Restoration of Iraqi Marshlands director-general Ali Hashim urged the countries of the world to unite to resolve the environmental and humanitarian catastrophe, <i>GDN</I> reported.
Mr Hashim said it was impossible to restore 100 per cent of the marshlands, but that he would be happy to see about 75% rehabilitated.
Mr Hashim was speaking at the opening of a two-day regional meeting by environmental authorities at the Regency Inter Continental Hotel. The meeting is a joint effort organised by the Regional Organisation for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Geneva-based United Nations Environment Programme.
The marshes boasted hundreds of species of birds and fish and periodic flooding created fertile farmlands.
