Bringing life and death together in a project takes a certain kind of courage.
"Plant trees according to the age of the deceased," says the Hajiawa Environmental Ambassador.
Rawan Hassan, a mathematics teacher and environmental activist in Hajiawa district, came up with the idea four years ago in late 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic to encourage environmental work, including planting trees, after many died from the epidemic.
"I encourage planting trees according to the age of the deceased instead of mourning, gathering, and serving meals at funerals, because I believe epidemics and diseases have a negative impact on the environment and cause death," Hassan said.
According to the United Nations, trees and greenery reduce the consequences of climate change and "without trees, human life cannot survive."
Hajiawa district belongs to Raperin administration in Sulaimaniyah Northern Province, with a population of 66,000 people, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s KRG Statistics Board. The district's greenness rate is unclear, but it is expected not to exceed 5%, while the international standard set no less than 30%.
A prominent family initiated the idea
To implement his idea, Hassan personally approached a prominent family in Hajiawa to plant trees instead of mourning the death of a loved one. The family member passed away four years ago at the age of 70, and Hassan suggested planting trees corresponding to the person's age.
"They happily accepted the idea, and together we planted 70 trees with the family," but he mentioned that they considered changing the project's implementation approach from the outset.
"We thought of identifying a suitable location and then conducting activities. The chosen place should have water and the trees should be protected. The municipality should be able to water them because some of the trees have dried up," Hassan explained.
Consequently, he later decided to introduce greening initiatives in schools.
Hassan takes pride in the fact that, for the "first time" in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq (KRI), a tree planting project for "deceased loved ones" has been successfully carried out.
"The project has evolved to the point where people now reach out to me when a loved one passes away, asking to plant trees in their honor. They purchase the trees and assist me in planting them," Hassan shared.
The local officials are proud of Hassan’s effort amid absence of state budget for greenery, including employment of new staff to replace the retired.
Azwar Jaafar, the mayor of Hajiawa sub-district, hailed Hassan as an "environmental ambassador of Hajiawa" and stated, "Hajiawa has environmental activists who prevent the decline of greenery and the trees drying up."
Rawan with a number of students in Hajiawa during a tree planting campaign, Sulaimaniyah, 2024. KirkukNow
"We face challenges in managing and irrigating our gardens due to the lack of gardeners, administrators, and supervisors, as they retire annually and the government fails to appoint new staff. However, environmental activist Rawan Hasan has bridged this gap," he added.
According to statistics from the Hajiawa sub-district administration, 7,000 trees have been planted in the past four years.
There are about 26 large and small gardens and squares in Hajiawa, but they are not adequately maintained, Jaafar noted.
Some of Hassan's initiatives extend beyond the sub-district and have reached neighboring villages and ditricts as well.
"Our village lacks greenery and is arid. Hassan has conducted two activities in our village. He planted 70 trees within the schools and 60 pine trees at the village entrance," shared Hemin Hamad, a teacher in Zurkan village, representing the ages of two deceased individuals in the village.
The idea has inspired others following the loss of their loved ones, many people visit to find a place and plant trees, inspiring others to contribute to environmental conservation.
"After his activities in our village, I decided to take on the responsibility of caring for and watering the trees at my school. The villagers have also committed to watering and protecting the trees at the village entrance," Hamad stated.
A positive aspect of promoting the idea, according to Hamad, is that people nurture the trees based on the age of their loved ones, enhancing the survival and growth rate of the trees.
"The trees from Rawan's initiative are planted in schools, kindergartens, mosques, and even along the streets... 90% of the trees are flourishing," he remarked.
Mohammed Ahmad, a bakery worker who joined Hassan on December 1, 2024, after his father passed away at the age of 72 last January and still is awaiting the ambassador of environment to find a proper place for planting the trees in tribute for his father.
"I will wait for the right time... I intend to plant 72 trees in honor of my father at the location designated by Mamosta (teacher) Rawan," he expressed. "We will find a suitable spot."
Hassan is responsible for selecting the location and preparing for tree planting. The families who have lost loved ones are responsible for purchasing the trees. Sometimes, the families themselves participate in the tree planting process.
"As we noticed the positive reception of the idea to increase greenery, we expanded the project, and now we are planting a tree for the newborns as well," Hassan revealed.
"To date, we have planted 140 trees for birthdays," Hassan disclosed.
In Bastesten village alone, 540 trees have been planted. Berries, olives, pines, and Eucalyptus are among the trees planted during the activities, he added.
There is a direct correlation between air pollution and increased greenery. Increasing the number of trees is a fundamental and straightforward solution to combat air pollution. According to IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, Iraq's air ranks among the "most polluted" countries globally.
Sulaimaniyah province accounts for over 31% of Iraq's industry, as per the latest research by the Azadbun Organization for Sustainable Development in the first half of this year, beside 600,000 vehicles and 4,000 diesel power generators.
Omid Tofiq, the director of education in Ranya, remarked, "I am aware that many other young people are looking up to Hassan and striving to enhance greenery. It has become an educational lesson and continues to promote environmental awareness."
The idea is not challenge-free
Daban Ahmad, a resident of Bastesten village where the idea was introduced, mentioned, "There are not many volunteers available to care for the trees or plant new ones."
"The lack of enforcement of environmental laws and the absence of penalties for those who harm the environment and cut down trees pose obstacles to the idea's development, along with a lack of environmental awareness," he highlighted.
Under Forestry Law No. 30 of 2009, the penalty for deforestation ranges from 25,000 Iraqi dinars IQD ($17) to 1 million IQD, excluding imprisonment. However, the amended Iraqi Penal Code No. 111 of 1969 stipulates two years of imprisonment and a fine for deforestation.
Environmental activist Diyar Mohammed emphasized, "Enforcing environmental laws supports Rawan's idea, and it would be beneficial to incorporate environmental education into the curriculum," given that many of Hassan's projects are carried out in schools.
"In some instances, teachers plant trees, but households are reluctant to care for them and provide necessary water," he noted.
Engineer Awara Ali, the director-general of Ranya municipalities, pointed out that most tree planting campaigns by activists lack scientific backing, leading to the trees withering.
"It is not just about planting trees; it is crucial to care for them, ensuring they receive sufficient water and are shielded from animals," he stressed, as some citizens still rear livestock at their homes.
"I urge volunteers to coordinate their actions with us, familiarize themselves with the city's master plan, identify water sources, and select trees suitable for the area's environment. This approach would yield greater success," he added.
The current greenery status in Hajiawa district remains unclear, while it stands at 11% in Qaladze neighboring district, and only 6% in Ranya, home for several sub-districts including Hajiwa.
An example of one of the gardens where Hassan planted trees and provides care. KirkukNow
Hassan mentioned that they consider suggestions to identify appropriate locations before planting each tree to ensure they receive proper care.
"We support Rawan, but unfortunately, we cannot offer financial assistance. Our support includes providing soil, equipment, and staff, offering guidance, and allocating space," the mayor of Hajiawa stated.
Another challenge is the slow process of finding suitable locations for planting trees, as many individuals visit to plant trees, noted Mohammed Ahmad, a resident of Hajiawa.
Ranya education director cited the shortage of gardeners to care for the trees post-planting as a problem.
"We only have 10 gardeners for 204 schools, so teachers often take it upon themselves to maintain the school environment," he shared.
Concept materialized
Hassan's idea has been well received and is evolving into a tradition for those who have lost beloved family members.
"This initiative is not limited to Hajiawa but extends to Ranya. My mother passed away in December 2023 aged 69. Few months later, I heard about the initiative and joined."
This year, Karwan purchased 69 pine trees for 485,000 dinars. "Rawan and my brother planted the trees in two kindergartens," he mentioned.
"As family of the deceased, we are delighted with the trees, and I visit them regularly... I hope others who have lost loved ones will plant trees to beautify the city and honor the souls of our deceased," he expressed, emphasizing the need to protect the trees from destruction.
"I wish we had five Rawans to address the greenery and kindergarten issues. He plays a crucial role and has tirelessly initiated greening efforts in schools and kindergartens in Ranya and Hajiawa," Ranya education director remarked.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, each tree can generate enough oxygen for four adults to breathe daily, highlighting trees as the largest oxygen factory on Earth."
Osman Qadir, the deputy director of Hajiawa High School, shared, "The high school has two large gardens, measuring 12 by 40 meters and 10 by 25 meters... He mentioned that two small gardens at the high school have been grassed, and small pine trees have been planted.
Miran Khalid, an irrigation engineer, said, "I have decided to celebrate my birthday by planting trees."
The KRG Ministry of Health cites environmental and air pollution as contributors to cancer. In 2023 alone, 9,911 new cancer cases were reported in the KRI, with lung cancer ranking as the second most common type.
Khalid noted that Hajiawa faces environmental pollution challenges due to block factory emissions and garbage accumulation, so “this initiative is vital for increasing greenery and raising environmental awareness.”
