Baghdad: Minister of Water Resources, Muthanna al-Tamimi, said on Tuesday that the government would take strict legal measures against those responsible for polluting the country's rivers.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry of Water Resources has initiated several lawsuits against parties responsible for polluting the Tigris and Diyala rivers. Al-Tamimi revealed that although the ministry had won these cases and referred them for enforcement, the rulings had not yet been implemented on the ground.

Al-Tamimi expressed concern that the current level of pollution was inconsistent with the substantial amounts of money spent on wastewater and sewage treatment projects. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for effective action to protect the country's water resources.

In an effort to address the issue, Al-Tamimi mentioned that a joint inspection was carried out by the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Environment to identify sources of pollution. The findings from this inspection will be compiled into a report to be submitted to the prime minister. The report will urge swift action against those responsible for polluting the rivers, emphasizing the critical importance of safeguarding the environment and public health.