On Monday 29/11/2021, the Department of History at the College of Arts / University of Basrah organized a symposium entitled The Marshes of Southern Iraq between Reality and Ambition.

The symposium aims to pay great attention to this abundant sector in all forms of diversity and biological wealth, which is characterized by a fertile living environment and prosperous natural resources, as the marshes are one of the most important unique environmental areas in the world and are considered an exceptional and important global natural heritage and were placed by the International Organization for Nature among the list of 100 exceptional sites for environmental areas in the world that must be preserved as nature reserves.

The conference included several topics, including:

 The buffalo of Mesopotamia is a national treasure that should be preserved. By Prof. Dr. Khaled Kateh Washil.

 Environmental changes in the marshes of southern Iraq and ways of sustainability. By Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Mays Sadkhan.

The Marshes of Southern Iraq... A Journey of Water and Drought. By the Consulting Engineer Jassim Muhammad Duwaij.

 The water policy of the upstream countries towards Iraq and the international charter. By Jumaa Mushakal Muhaibis.

At the symposium, the researchers recommended:

 1- Strict adherence to water quotas between governorates.

 2- Raising water quotas breaches between governorates.

 3- Reconsidering the specific geography of the marshes according to the environmental and societal characteristics.

4- Treating sewage that flows into the marshes, and obliging the Ministry of Municipalities and Labor to comply with environmental standards.

 5- Supporting civil society organizations and involving them in the management plan, and urging this plan objectively, away from moods and personalities.