Tigris River

this article talks a little bit about the pollution of the Tigris due to the impacts of the US occupation of Iraq. The Euphrates-Tigris river valley is considered by many the birth of civilization, and the access to a flowing fresh river is one of the reasons why. Today, however, the Tigris is anything but mighty or flowing. It has been dammed at its source in Turkey to stop flooding, but in many parts, the river doesn't flow, but is staganat, and even dries up. The lack of flow also incrases the salt concentration in the water, making it unusable for drinking and unlivable for much of the ecosystem.

More pertinent to the war, before 2003, the river, had an ample and stable fish population. Pollution from war chemicals as well as dead bodies (mostly torture victims) thrown into the river have contributed to its contamination. Near Baghdad, fishermen have reported that the fish are scarce, but that they also cannot even try to fish there because it separates the city from US controlled Green Zone, which includes soldiers patrolling the waters. During the day, they make fishermen leave, and at night, fishermen risk being mistaken for "insurgents planting bombs."


Here is the link: http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/attack/consequences/2006/1113river.htm