Drought threatens Iraq's marshes, risking one of the oldest ways of life

Drought threatens Iraq’s marshes, risking one of the oldest ways of life The unique marshes of southern Iraq are beginning to revive after five years of devastating drought. But challenges remain for one of the world's oldest ways of life.

The unique marshes of southern Iraq are beginning to revive after five years of devastating drought. But challenges remain for one of the world's oldest ways of life.

In the marshes of southern Iraq, one of the world's oldest ways of life is under threat. Years of drought decimated the buffalo herds that people have depended on since the dawn of history. Over the last year, rain has revived some marshlands, but there's just not enough to ward off other threats. NPR's Jane Arraf and Fatima Al-Kassab bring us this report from Iraq.

JANE ARRAF, BYLINE: It's just after sunrise in Iraq's marshes, about 50 miles from the ancient site of Ur. There are water buffalo wading in the shallow water. We're in a long, narrow boat called a mashuf, the same design used for thousands of years.

ARRAF: Birds here include a few migratory species still passing through. Even after years of drought, there's incredible biodiversity here.

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