Updates: polution; hunting; animal slaughter; climate change

[Anthea]

Wild bear shot dead in Erbil

A rare wild bear was found dead in the Choman district of Erbil province on Tuesday. It appears it was shot dead by unknown individuals several days earlier, local officials and eyewitnesses told Rudaw English on Wednesday

Ibrahim Galazheri, an employee at Choman mayor’s office, said that a local resident called him on Tuesday to say that he found the body of a brown bear near Kani Rash meadow.

“I broke the news to the mayor who later tasked the veterinary [team] to inspect. The incident took place on Friday but we were informed on Tuesday,” he said.

The veterinary team concluded that the bear was intentionally killed, Galazheri said, adding that the doctors estimated the bear was five or six years old.

“This species of bear is typical of Balakayati areas and a few others have been spotted before,” he said.

The incident is being investigated, according to Amir Khoshawi, head media for Soran’s ranger and forest police.

“The bear was killed five or six days ago in the Kani Rash area. Because the area is mountainous and cold, its body has not changed. It was shot once in the left breast. An investigation has been launched by Choman police,” Khoshawi said.

The culprit could face a fine of 10 million dinars ($7,636) and one month to three years imprisonment

A security source told Rudaw English on the condition of anonymity that the shooter could have taken the bear’s cubs to sell on black market after killing their mother. Khoshawi, however, denied this claim.

Ahmed Barzan, Choman mayor, told Rudaw that they will try to preserve the body of the dead bear.

Choman used to have a ranger police force but it was deployed to the frontlines in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014 and has not yet been restored to ranger duties.

There are numerous threats to bear populations in the Kurdistan Region, including military activity, hunting, and poaching.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/140820244

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Iraq's Environmental Crises

Iraq is grappling with severe environmental challenges as drought, water shortages, and pollution take a devastating toll on the country’s natural resources and public health

In the southern marshlands, a mass die-off of fish has sparked warnings of an “environmental and economic disaster.” The Hawizeh Marshes, located between Maysan and Basra on the Iraq-Iran border, have witnessed the deaths of millions of fish due to reduced water releases and oxygen levels, according to Hussein al-Mariani, a member of the Maysan provincial council. This crisis has decimated fish populations by 60% in some areas and led to significant losses of livestock, threatening the livelihoods of thousands who depend on agriculture and fishing.

The marshlands, once the largest wetland ecosystem in Western Eurasia, have been severely impacted by declining water levels from the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, exacerbated by upstream dams in Turkey and Iran. The United Nations warns that Iraq is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing severe water and food insecurity. The Iraqi federal government has repeatedly urged neighboring countries to release more water, as the marshes continue to dry up, leaving vast areas barren and fishermen without work.

In addition to the crisis in the marshlands, Basra is experiencing a significant environmental and health emergency due to severe air pollution. Despite official denials from the Iraqi Ministry of Environment, local human rights organizations and health officials report that pollution levels in the city are 60% higher than safe limits.

The Basra Human Rights Office highlights alarming increases in respiratory diseases, kidney and liver conditions, and cancer cases, attributed to dust storms, industrial emissions, and oil extraction byproducts. The lack of functional environmental monitoring equipment has further exacerbated the situation, leaving the true extent of the pollution largely untracked.

As Iraq confronts these mounting environmental crises, there is a growing urgency for regional cooperation and the implementation of sustainable environmental policies to address the country’s deteriorating ecosystems and public health threats. Without immediate action, Iraq risks facing even more severe consequences in the near future.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/857643

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Hazards of low-quality aromatic products

None of the aromatic products that enter Kurdistan have been checked for harmful ingredients, an expert told Rudaw on Sunday, adding that mixing several substances to make fragrances could result in serious health issues

“The fragrances that are brought to Kurdistan do not go through inspections, including original and fake brands,” Kawa Hamasharif, an industrial chemistry expert, told Rudaw’s Ranj Sangawi. “There are no perfume-testing devices at the border crossings and airports. If we want to test a certain kind of perfume, we need to send it to Turkey, Iran, or Basra.”

Hamasharif also highlighted the danger of mixing several substances in making fragrances, a common practice in the Kurdistan Region markets, stating that it could lead to the creation of “toxic” substances, resulting in cancer or lung and respiratory diseases.

“Some ingredients are used in the fragrances that are brought to Kurdistan are banned in some countries… There are fragrances imported from the UK containing the banned ingredient phthalate,” the expert added.

Phthalates are used in fragrance-making to make the aroma last longer. A slower evaporation of the smell is one of the main requested qualities in aromatic products for an average customer in the Kurdistan Region.

Studies have demonstrated connections between phthalates in aromatic products and breast cancer, reproductive disorders, and increased risk of asthma in children who were exposed to the chemicals during pregnancy.

“There are three -year-olds with asthma due to these perfumes. There are three-year-olds with lung cancer,” Hamasharif said.

Perfume sellers from Erbil and Sulaimani also raised the concern that thousands of fake fragrances are imported and sold in the Kurdistan Region as original brands.

“Sometimes even big businessmen are tricked into buying counterfeit products. There are businessmen who have bought 1,000 supposedly authentic-brand perfumes, 800 of which had been fake,” said Handren Saad, an Erbil perfume seller.

“There are authentic brand perfumes worth $200, but counterfeit versions of them are sold for $18 at wholesale price to the perfume sellers,” said Shkar Omar, a Sulaimani perfume seller. “The fakes are sold for $80 in some places.”

Rawand Rauf, a physician specialized in gastroenterology, chest, and respiratory diseases, said that reaction to chemical compounds in aromatic products differs from one person to another.

“A chemical compound in a fragrance does not necessarily have the same detriments to two different people. It is possible for the best brand products to induce allergic reactions from people,” Rauf noted.

Scholars and experts have repeatedly criticized quality control of products imported to the Kurdistan Region, especially medicine and food, and called for stricter regulations.

The Kurdistan Standardization and Quality Control Board in the interior ministry is responsible for inspecting all imported goods through coordination with other relevant ministries, ensuring the products’ compliance with international standards, and establishing laboratories for inspection.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/020920241

There is a lot of fake perfume sold in the UK and I doubt that anyone knows what is in it

[Anthea]

KRG Lifts Customs Duties on Electric Vehicles

Kurdistan (KRG) Board of Environmental Protection and Improvement (BEPI) announced on Thursday that it has lifted customs duties on the import of electric vehicles by 100%, as part of the KRG's broader efforts to promote environmental protection across Kurdistan

According to a statement from the BEPI, the decision was communicated through a letter from the Council of Ministers (No. 12015), dated September 5, 2024. The letter directed the Ministry of Finance and Economy to take the necessary steps to implement the customs exemption on electric vehicles, aligning with the government's environmental initiatives.

Additionally, the board issued a prior letter (No. 202) on November 29, 2023, which called on the Ministry of Interior to exempt electric and hybrid vehicles from rental operations (license plate rent). In response, the Council of Ministers further endorsed the exemption for both electric and hybrid vehicles from specific rental license plate regulations through another letter (No. 12288) dated September 11, 2024.

These actions underscore the KRG's commitment to reducing environmental impact and encouraging the use of cleaner, more sustainable transportation options within the Region. By removing financial barriers to the importation of electric and hybrid vehicles, the government aims to facilitate a shift towards greener alternatives, contributing to the overall environmental goals of Kurdistan.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/860299

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Desertification Threatens 93% of Iraq

Desertification poses a serious threat to Iraq's environment, while authorities are somewhat reluctant to address it. A lawmaker has warned that Iraq has lost 40 percent of its green belts in the past 20 years, threatening 93 percent of the country's territory

Muzir Mi'an, a member of the Iraqi parliament, stated, "Iraq has lost 40 percent of its green belts in the past 20 years. Ninety-three percent of the country's territory is threatened by desertification and the expansion of sand dunes."

"Environmental changes in Iraq in recent years are alarming," he continued. "Recent studies have shown that the detrimental effects of this phenomenon include water scarcity and the spread of desertification." High levels of dew drops have been reported in six provinces.

"The environment is a critical part of national security, and if serious steps are not taken, we will regret it in a few years," Mi'an emphasized, urging the revival of green spaces.

According to the Iraqi MP, since 2003, more than 40 percent of the green belts have been lost due to agricultural land conversion to residential areas, desertification, war, and the expansion of sand dunes.

Out of Iraq's more than 130 million acres of land, 95 million acres are affected by desertification, and another 27 million acres are at risk. The problem covers an area of 12 million acres, with over 200,000 acres annually losing their agricultural potential due to desertification.

According to a UN report, Iraq has been named the fifth-most vulnerable country to climate breakdown, facing challenges such as soaring temperatures, insufficient and declining rainfall, intensified droughts, water scarcity, frequent sand and dust storms, and flooding.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/854833

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Duhok major park projects

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Duhok's greenness rate is set to see a significant increase with the construction of two major parks, according to Ismail Mustafa, spokesperson for the Duhok municipality

In an interview with Kurdistan24 on Friday, Mustafa stated, “The current greenness rate in Duhok stands at 14%. However, with the completion of both Sarhaldan and Aluka parks, this rate will rise to over 20%."

These projects are expected to reshape Duhok’s landscape, bringing substantial increases to the green areas. In addition to the environmental benefits, the parks will feature cafeterias, restaurants, and sports facilities, enhancing both local infrastructure and community amenities.

Mustafa further noted that these new parks will play a vital role in stimulating the local economy. “The parks will not only contribute to the economy of Duhok province but will also attract more tourists to the city. The governor's aim is to increase the number of tourists visiting the province," he said.

The development of green spaces has been a priority for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), with Prime Minister Masrour Barzani taking a leading role. The governor of Duhok emphasized that Barzani is committed to expanding greenery and environmental projects across the region.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Barzani officially laid the foundation stones for the Aluka and Sarhaldan parks. Located on opposite sides of the city, these parks will cover a combined area of 700 acres. The project is backed by significant investment, with 131 billion dinars allocated for Aluka Park and 4 billion dinars for Sarhaldan Park.

The parks are part of broader efforts to enhance Duhok’s appeal as a tourist destination and improve the quality of life for residents.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/36 ... k-projects

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PM Barzani Launches Dwin Dam

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Dwin Dam in Erbil province, stated that the government's strategic water plan has a significant impact on both the present and future of the Region

He emphasized that harvesting rainwater and springs is one of the Kurdistan Region's main measures to combat climate change and address the consequences of drought.

"We will continue our plans, and we ask our citizens to keep our environment clean and help us preserve the beautiful nature of the Kurdistan Region, making it a destination that attracts tourists from all over the world,"

He also acknowledged that the location of the dam "is very suitable for water absorption, and the design of the project has been revised so that it both does not affect the historical monuments of this region and absorbs more water."

"I have asked the Ministry of Municipalities and other relevant ministries to take necessary measures to filter all sewage around Shaqlawa and to ensure that no sewage contaminates the water of the second dam," added the Kurdish Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister noted that he has instructed the relevant parties to restore the historical castle of Dwin and several other monuments in the region according to archaeological guidelines and to prevent further collapse.

According to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, all farmers whose lands will be flooded due to the construction of the second dam will be compensated.

The Kurdish leader believes that with the completion of the Dwin Dam and the restoration of historical monuments, the region will become one of the most important tourist centers in terms of nature and archaeology

The Prime Minister explained that the implementation of the project has been entrusted to a local company that "has gained substantial experience in the field of dam construction."

Masrour Barzani called on citizens to protect the environment and cooperate with the government to "make the beautiful nature of the Kurdistan Region a place that attracts tourists from all over the world."

"Water is prosperity, and further reconstruction and development of Kurdistan is our current and future program," he said.

In the past three years, the Kurdistan government has built 10 dams with a total capacity of more than 160 million cubic meters of water, which will be completed by the end of this year.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/860573

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UK Big Butterfly Count lowest in 14 years

Wildlife charity declares 'butterfly emergency'

The small tortoiseshell butterfly has suffered its worst year on record in the count

A wildlife charity has declared a national “butterfly emergency” after its annual Big Butterfly Count recorded its lowest ever numbers.

The count has been running for 14 years. This year’s poor results are partly down to the wet weather but the long-term trend is hugely concerning, says Butterfly Conservation.

It is calling on the government to ban pesticides that can harm butterflies and bees “before it’s too late”.

Butterflies are at “their lowest ebb” on the back of 50 years of decline, said the charity's head of science, Dr Richard Fox.

“Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too,” he said.

Neonicotinoid pesticides were banned in the UK in 2018 but have been approved four times in a row in emergencies to tackle a virus that attacks sugar beet.

A spokesperson from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said it was “committed to deliver for nature and will change existing policies, including banning the use of those neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten vital pollinators” - but has given no time scales for doing so.

Numbers of the green-veined white butterfly have crashed over 14 years

The 2024 Big Butterfly Count took place in July and August across the UK when thousands of people recorded over a period of 15 minutes how many butterflies they saw, even if it was none.

Overall, participants spotted seven butterflies on average per count, the lowest in the scheme’s 14-year history. Last year's average was 12.

Butterfly Conservation said it was the worst year recorded for the common blue, holly blue, green-veined white, small white, small tortoiseshell, painted lady and Scotch argus.

The painted lady has fared well in previous years but did badly this summer, according to the count

This year’s fall in butterfly numbers is thought to have been made worse by the wet spring coupled with the late arrival of summer heat.

Wider data from the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, external - one of the longest running insect monitoring schemes in the world – shows yearly fluctuations in butterfly numbers in response to weather conditions amid a long-term picture of decline driven by climate change, habitat loss, pollution and pesticides.

Dr Marc Botham of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology said 33% of species had shown a significant decline in their abundance on monitored sites in the UK over the past 48 years.

“It’s quite simple really – there’s not enough habitat and what is there isn’t good quality," he said.

"We need to be putting [measures] in place to increase the amount and quality of habitat so that [butterflies and other wildlife] can do better.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8p4zglpyo

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Contaminated water in Halabja

Residents and farmers in Halabja are voicing concerns over a stream contaminated by waste that they say has caused illness and damaged crops

The Hamaukhan stream is located north of Halabja city in an area where there are several hospitals.

"This water contains sewage. It contains toxic metals,” Omed Ahmed, an agricultural engineer, told Rudaw.

He said that the dirty water has been a cause of illness for people living nearby.

The municipality has proposed a project to clean up a three-kilometre stretch of the stream, but a lack of funds has put it on hold.

Salam Bilal, the mayor of Halabja, said the clean up would cost around four billion dinars (over $3 million).

Fars Hamarashid owns an orchard in the area. He said the unpleasant smell of waste has led him to consider selling his land.

"Even in winter, it becomes unbearable for farmers… I wish someone from the relevant authorities would come here for a minute. They will know what the life of orchard owners is like,” said Fars.

Water pollution remains a persistent issue in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, where municipal and industrial waste is improperly disposed of, often directly into water sources. This pollution poisons the water, causing illness and damaging crops and animals.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/210920242

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KRG Urges Funding to Clear Landmines

The Kurdistan Government's (KRG) Mine Action Agency has announced that over 776 square kilometers of land in the region are still contaminated with landmines, urging immediate funding to speed up de-mining operations

Deputy Head of the Mine Action Agency, Niyazi Khalid, highlighted the agency's request for a share of a $400 million loan the British Import Agency provided to the Iraqi federal government, noting that the KRG has yet to receive its portion. Khalid emphasized the importance of securing the Region’s 12.27 percent share of the loan, around 70 billion Iraqi dinars, to accelerate the clearance process.

The KRG has already identified 17.5 square kilometers of mine-affected land for clearance and submitted a project proposal to Baghdad. However, the Iraqi Ministry of Planning's approval is still pending, and it's unclear if funding will be allocated this year or next

Khalid expressed concern over meeting the Ottawa Treaty’s 2028 deadline for clearing all mines and explosive remnants from Iraq, warning that the KRG requires more than $1 billion to remove over 100,000 landmines and explosive devices. Despite progress over the past three decades, with 520 square kilometers cleared, around 100 square kilometers remain heavily mined, particularly along the Iran-Turkey border.

The KRG continues to collaborate with international partners, but Khalid stressed that adequate funding is essential for completing the mission and ensuring safety in the Region.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/861107

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Erbil to Increase Green Space 50%

The greening of Erbil's main streets is set to continue, with Governor Omed Khoshnaw announcing that the city’s green coverage is expected to reach 50% upon completion

The campaign is part of the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) efforts to enhance environmental cleanliness and beauty in the capital.

The current initiative focuses on greening Bahrka Street, located between Erbil’s two main roads, the 120-meter and 150-meter streets, with more than one thousand trees being planted and another 1,500 by the end of the year.

Governor Khoshnaw stated that these efforts would increase the city's green area from the current standard of 20%, as the campaign continues until the end of the year. This project is part of a broader goal to create a cleaner environment and beautify the streets of Erbil.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/861127

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22 years of ecological destruction

Before the AKP government, studies on geothermal energy conducted by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) were mostly reserve discoveries. After the construction of the first geothermal power plant in Kızıldere in 1975, new plants were constructed after the legal amendment in 2005, when the AKP was in power

Today, GPPs are mainly located in the Aegean Region, where fault and fracture lines are densely located. Geothermal power plants cause toxic gases, which are collected under the earth's surface during their operations and should never be inhaled, to enter the atmosphere and be inhaled through the air. It is known that many artificial earthquakes have been triggered by companies excavating on fault lines in order to increase the capacity of the facility and produce more energy.

Aydın is the city with the highest number of GPPs, the first examples of which were seen during the AKP rule and which have become increasingly widespread within the framework of rent and plunder policies. With 32 GPPs, Aydın was one of the cities with the highest air quality in Turkey for many years. In the last 10 years, there has been a significant increase in asthma and respiratory diseases in Aydın due to the hydrogen sulphide released into the air by GPPs.

THERMAL POWER PLANTS

There are 54 coal-fired power plants in Kurdistan and Turkey. During AKP rule, Turkey has become second only to China in the number of coal-fired power plants being developed worldwide. Coal-fired power plants, which the World Health Organisation has called on all countries to gradually shut down, are the cause of the biggest increase in greenhouse gases and must be close to both coal and water resources due to their working principles. For this reason, both existing and planned coal-fired thermal power plants are concentrated in coal reserve regions such as Maraş and port cities such as Zonguldak and İskenderun.

FOOD SAFETY ENDANGERED

Coal-fired thermal power plants cause pollution in underground and surface water sources from which drinking and irrigation water is supplied, and these plants cause the accumulation of highly toxic heavy metals such as nitrogen, lead, mercury and arsenic in agricultural areas. This, in turn, causes these heavy metals to enter the food chain through agricultural production, leading to the disappearance of food security.

Nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter emitted by power plants by burning coal constitute a major public health problem. In particular, PM2.5, which is one thirtieth the size of a hair, enters the lungs and bloodstream due to its very small size and causes many fatal diseases. Due to its size, PM2.5 can even be carried hundreds of kilometres away by wind movements.

EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENTS

Although flue gas emission limits were improved in 2020, emission level data, which is mandatorily reported to the government by emission facilities, is not publicly available in the Turkish Republic. Turkey has not ratified the Gothenburg Protocol to limit fine dust polluting other countries.

The AKP, which allocated incentive shares from the budget to unfiltered thermal power plants during their shutdown and handed over their operations to the private sector, granted thermal power plants the right to be exempt from environmental investments.

THE PLUNDER OF CUDİ AND GABAR

The Cudi and Gabar mountains, where the policies of depopulation through village burnings and evacuations were the most intense in the 1990s, have also been the scene of the occupation of coal mines and oil exploration companies under the AKP government.

Since 2013, companies have applied for a total of 517 mining projects in various branches in Şırnak and its districts. 166 of these projects were given a ‘not necessary’ decision for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report, which is absolutely necessary, and the activities were allowed to start directly.

In the period from February 2021 to September 2021 alone, 8% of Şırnak's forest cover was destroyed on the grounds of both security and mineral exploration.

Grasslands and pastures, which villagers cannot enter without the permission of the gendarmerie, were opened to the plunder of oil and coal companies.

After Turkish President Erdoğan’s announcement that the oil reserves in Gabar could meet one tenth of the annual oil consumption of the Republic of Turkey alone, work accelerated. The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has been making oil discoveries in Gabar Mountain since May 2021 within the scope of drilling activities carried out by destroying a large forest area in the region.

Despite the images of tonnes of trees cut down under the supervision of village guards, the EIA Report decisions issued as copy-paste for the companies carrying out oil and mining exploration activities in the region generally include the remarks ‘there is no agricultural land’ and ‘no forest presence’ in the area where oil drilling is planned and in the immediate vicinity.

Cudi is riddled with holes due to coal mines. Due to the companies that do not use filters in their chimney and discharge systems, the black, coal-coloured water discharged from Nerdüş Stream into the network threatens public health every year during summer when coal extraction activities accelerate.

GREEN ROAD PROJECT

The Green Road project undertaken by the Eastern Black Sea Project (DOKAP) Regional Development Administration aims to connect the highland roads in Samsun, Tokat, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Gümüşhane, Bayburt, Rize and Artvin.

The main starting point of the project is to provide a ‘more comfortable’ transport route where tourists can do nature sports from Samsun to Artvin. In the road network with a total length of 4,631 kilometres, all stages of the project have been carried out independently of each other since its launch.

It is known that only the tenders awarded to two companies in January 2023 for the construction of concrete roads between Hanzarya and Camiboğazı Plateau in the centre of Gümüşhane and Taşköprü in January 2023 resulted in a total of 18 million TL out of the public coffers for the Green Road.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of trees will be cut down in the first stage for the road, which will pass through forested terrain at an average altitude of 2000 - 2500 metres, and many concrete plants will be built to complete the road in an area of 2600 square kilometres.

Ecologists point out that in the long term, with the facilities and accommodation to be opened on the route, the scale of ecological disaster and rent will increase 10 times more than what is visible.

[Anthea]

Darbandikhan has 2 dams

no drinking water

The city of Darbandikhan in Sulaimani province is known for its two large dams, but residents say they have no water to drink and blame an unfinished water treatment plant that was supposed to be built a decade ago

Amina Qadir has lived in Darbandikhan for 70 years. For 30 of those years, she fetched water from a spring, but cannot do that now because of her age. Today, she depends on bottles of water her relatives bring when they visit.

“Our tap water is not suitable for drinking because it is dirty and stinks,” she said, adding that cancer could knock on their doors if they drink the water. “When I host guests, instead of offering them water I ask them to bring me some.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said in 2013 it would build a water treatment plant in Darbandikhan to address the city’s drinking water scarcity. The project was supposed to be completed within a year, but it has been stalled because of lack of funding.

Ali Mohammed, a retiree, drives his car to a nearby public tap more than twice a week to fill ten bottles with water for drinking.

“We do not have drinking water in Darbandikhan. Some people rely on these taps and others have dug wells,” he said.

Darbandikhan is home to Kurdistan Region’s second largest dam, Darbandikhan Dam, which has the capacity of three billion cubic meters. Dewana Dam is also located near the city and can hold 20 million cubic meters of water.

Darbandikhan Mayor Sulaiman Mohammed told Rudaw that all the administrative work for restarting the water treatment plant has been completed and they are waiting for funds.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/270920241

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Government that is hostile to forests

rivers and mountains

Conference opened with the screening of Hakan Tosun's documentary on ecological destruction. Suncer Bakırhan started his speech by commemorating Reşit Kibar, who was murdered on 3 September in Borçka, Artvin while trying to protect the forests

Reacting to the pro-rent logic of the government and capital, Tuncer Bakırhan drew attention to the ‘Bread and Justice Meetings’ they have been organising for a few months and said: “Wheat producers in Nusaybin, sunflower producers in Tekirdağ, shopkeepers, fishermen, women, youth, those who seek justice and law are all revealing the reality of the government everywhere.”

Bakırhan continued: “In addition to the struggle waged by the friends of the Kurds in the quest for democracy, the struggle waged in the Aegean region, Balıkesir and Kazdağları against ecocide is very important and valuable. The struggle in this field is at least as valuable as the struggle for democracy. I would like to thank all my friends who are fighting this struggle for their efforts.”

Criticizing the fact that the government is making it even easier to commit ecocide with omnibus bills, Bakırhan said, “The government relies on its numerical majority, it relies on its partners who think like itself. It trusts the opposition, which is not strong and serious. Since they are faced with an opposition that makes their work easier, they can do everything more easily.”

Pointing out that the government has amended the forest law 32 times in 22 years, Bakırhan said that they are struggling against a government that is hostile to forests, green, rivers, mountains, resisting Kurds and women.

Bakırhan stated: “I am saying it here for the first time. They are preparing a new law proposal for mining companies, which are constantly trying to propose new laws to the government in order to have easier access, to obtain licences more easily and to obtain more rent. They want there to be no administrative obstacles in front of them.

They are already overcoming the obstacles in some way, but they want to eliminate them altogether. Our job is difficult, but 80 percent of Turkey thinks like us. We have only one shortcoming. We are unable to organise, to come together, to build a strong ground against this savage capital, the palace, the ecocidal power that works for war.”

Remarking that 155 mining companies in Balıkesir received 279 mining exploration-operation licences, Bakırhan concluded as follows: “Therefore, all the districts of Balıkesir are in the same situation and Kazdağları has become a centre of gold mining. There are several foreign and local companies. Whether foreign or domestic, the aim of the companies is rent.

These companies are so reckless that they work to obtain the highest rent at the lowest cost, just like the capitalist system does. Where should those people who are engaged in animal husbandry, agriculture, fruit and vegetables go? No one cares about this, the government does not care at all. Then we should not care about this government either. Let's get rid of this government that is dragging us into the abyss and bringing Turkey to the brink of destruction.”