Engineer Hamid Obeid Abdullah, Director of the Holy Karbala Environment Directorate, announced that the Environmental Awareness and Media Division has issued a set of new guidelines ahead of the Arbaeen pilgrimage of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), aimed at protecting public health, preserving the environment, and ensuring the smooth organization of the massive gathering.

The measures include:

Field inspections and awareness campaigns: Environmental patrols, in coordination with the Environmental Protection Police, will monitor unregulated animal slaughter practices and raise awareness among Hussaini procession (Mawkib) organizers about the health and environmental risks of slaughtering animals in streets and public areas.

Noise monitoring: Authorities will oversee noise levels generated by Hussaini processions and assess their environmental impact on the city and pilgrims, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Police.

Protection of green spaces: The Directorate will monitor the preservation of trees and green areas, preventing unauthorized cutting or damage that could harm the ecological balance and environmental conditions of Karbala Governorate.

Waste management: Efforts will focus on preventing the disposal of waste and food remains in unauthorized locations, while waste bags will be distributed among Mawkibs throughout the governorate.

Environmental awareness for pilgrims: In response to the large influx of visitors and the need to prevent the spread of diseases, the Directorate has expanded its awareness campaigns. These include mobile environmental broadcasts among pilgrims and processions, along with the distribution of educational materials in three main areas: central Karbala, Al-Hindiya District, and Al-Hussainiya District.

Coordination with Ministry of Environment teams: The Directorate will work alongside Ministry of Environment teams participating in the pilgrimage to implement environmental awareness programs targeting pilgrims and Hussaini processions.

Community partnerships: Cooperation will continue with Community Police media units, civil society organizations, and relevant government departments to conduct field visits among processions and pilgrims, while distributing awareness leaflets and posters.

Abdullah emphasized that these initiatives are part of the Directorate’s preparations for Arbaeen, with the goal of maintaining a clean and safe environment for millions of pilgrims visiting the holy city of Karbala.

Riyadh Al-Asadi