Environmentalists in Şırnak (Şirnex), southeast Turkey, are raising alarm over ongoing deforestation, warning that the region could soon become a barren landscape if the destruction continues.
Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency’s Mahmut Altıntaş on Saturday, Adnan Şenbayram, a spokesperson for the Şırnak branch of the Mezopotamya Ecology Association, highlighted the severe environmental damage occurring in areas such as Gabar, Cudi and Besta.
Şenbayram explained that this deforestation is not just an environmental issue but also part of a broader strategy to depopulate the region. “Şırnak has been identified as a central area for environmental destruction,” he stated, noting that trees are being uprooted to ensure they cannot regrow.
The deforestation, which intensified in the 1990s, has escalated since 2018, coinciding with increased mining and oil exploration activities. “This destruction isn’t just about cutting down trees,” Şenbayram said. “It’s also about opening up the land for profit by big business.”
The consequences are significant. The loss of forests has already reduced local biodiversity, with animal species disappearing and agricultural activities dwindling. Additionally, the deforestation threatens water sources, which are already strained by rising temperatures and reduced rainfall.
In response, the Mezopotamya Ecology Association plans to issue weekly public statements and launch a tree-planting campaign in the coming months. Şenbayram called on the local community to join these efforts, stressing that collective action is essential to stop the destruction. “If we want to live under the shade of a tree, we must work together to protect it,” he urged.
