The restoration of the local environment is at the heart of the sixth annual Zagrosana campaign, organised by the environmentalist group the Green Chia Association in Marivan (Merîwan) in Iranian Kurdistan* (Rojhilat), which lies in northwest Iran. Supported by over 100 Kurdish climbing groups and environmentalists, the campaign began on 22 November, and is ongoing across the northern Zagros Mountains.
In line with this initiative, environmentalists have planted acorns across the regions of Urmia (Wermê), Sanandaj (Sine), Sarvabad (Serwê), Salas-e Babajani (Selâsê), Rewansar (Rewansêr), and Marivan.
By planting acorns, the environmentalists hope to revive the oak, one of the largest native trees in the Zagros region, and to restore the lush greenery of forests ravaged by destruction and fire.
Footage shared on social media shows environmental activists and members of the village committee planting acorns in the forest areas surrounding the village of Ni (Nî), while footage shared on the group’s Telegram channel showed groups planting trees across steep Zagros hillsides.
As part of this campaign, members of the group revived an old walnut tree that had been set on fire by unknown individuals in Bardzard village, Marivan.
Since the early 2000s, forests in Iranian Kurdistan have been plagued by recurring and steadily increasing numbers of fires. Local reports suggest that many of the fires, especially in forested areas of Marivan, Baneh (Bane), and Shaho (Şaho), cannot be explained by natural causes, and may have been set intentionally. Since 2020, at least 188 fires have occurred near Marivan and Sarvabad, with a dramatic rise in incidences of fire in 2021.
Activists drawing attention to the increasing numbers of fires have been subjected to threats, arrests and some have died in suspicious circumstances. Among notable incidents are the killings of Marivan’s Green Chia Association founder Sharif Bajaur and his colleague Omid Kohanposhi in September 2018, while they were engaged in firefighting efforts in Marivan forests.
* Not to be confused with Kurdistan Province, which is an administrative division of Iran, Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat) covers a larger territorial area of northwestern Iran.
