A canyon in Şırnak (Şirnex), which presents a natural passage for the water coming from snowy heights as the snow begins to melt in the spring, is under threat of being flooded by a “security dam” constructed in the region.
The canyon near the Ortabağ (Kiror) village in the Êwil Valley, is a wonder of nature with its crystal clear and icy water in blistering summer months, serving as a unique place of attraction for hikers and a memorable spot for picnickers.
The dam is now complete and has been holding back water for some time. It will soon submerge the whole canyon.
The residents in the area say it is not expected to generate power, nor will it be used for irrigation since there is no significant agricultural land in the vicinity, MA reports.
The dam will destroy the habitat of many animal and plant species, and cause an ecological disaster.
In the meantime, because the old roads will be covered by water as the level in the dam rises, new roads are being constructed in the area, uprooting thousands of trees.
The reasons for the construction of the so-called “security dams” in Turkey are not economic, but rather in order to force Kurdish people to leave their lands by destroying their means of sustenance, to undermine the mobility of the Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK), and to enable the use of water as a weapon against neighbouring countries.
Since 2009, dams have been built in Diyarbakır (Amed), Batman (Êlih), Bingöl (Çewlîg), Tunceli (Dersim), Hakkari (Colemêrg), Mardin (Mêrdîn) and Şırnak (Şirnex).