MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Amed- In Northern Kurdistan, trees are cut down in many places such as Mount Cudi, Şenyayla region in Muş and Gelîye Godernê (Godernê Valley) in Amed’s Kulp district. The valley will be left underwater when the construction of the Silvan Dam is completed. For months, trees have been cut down in the valley. While the trees cut down by the village guards on the familiar ground 'security', are transported by trucks, armored vehicles ensure security for village guards on the roads.

The dam will leave 50 villages and agricultural fields underwater

When operational, the Silvan Dam will submerge 50 villages in Amed’s Kulp, Lice, Silvan and Hazro districts. The dam will also submerge Godernê valley, which is located at the borders of Kulp, Silvan, and Hazro districts. The valley, which is visited by many local and foreign people for its waterfall and nature, will be destroyed when the dam becomes operational. While the areas to be submerged are expropriated by the Turkish state, the lawsuits filed by owners of the fields are still going on.

The valley destroyed before the dam becomes operational

The Gelîye Godernê valley is visited by many local and foreign people every year due to its history and nature. The valley is worth to be added to the world heritage list for its rich ecosystem, cultural structure and history. Before the dam becomes operational, the ecological destruction and the policy of depopulation have already started in the valley. According to the reports received from local people, a bridge will be built in the valley and the construction of outposts has already started in the valley.  While the entrance to the historical valley and the waterfall has been prohibited by the soldiers, the construction company uses dynamites to detonate stones in the valley so that they will build the bridge.

 Thousands of trees have been cut down

In addition, thousands of trees have been cut down between Hazro and Kulp. Village guards have cut down the trees in the valley and then sell them. The ecological destruction has already started in the valley before the dam becomes operational. Local people think both the dam and the cut of trees will worsen the drought in the region.

 ‘The dam poses a threat to every living creature’

In an interview with NuJINHA, Melis Tantan, member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Ecology Commission, called for the end of destruction policies in the region. “This region has a rich biodiversity and a living space for dozens of villagers. Here, we first see the effect of security policies carried out by the state. The first aim of these policies is to depopulate the region. Now, the construction of the dam poses a threat to every living creature. The construction company uses dynamites to build a bridge and roads in the valley. This, of course, causes great fear and panic among the local people. Before being operational, thousands of trees have been cut down in the valley.”

‘The state should stop destroying nature’

Calling on everyone to speak out against the ecological destruction in the valley, Melis Tantan said, “We know that trees have been cut down in Kurdish regions. Now, the trees are cut down in the valley. The state should stop cutting down trees and destroying nature. All environmental activists and people defending life should say ‘No’ to the ecological destruction in the valley.”