NESİM MUHAMMED KHAWA

Baneh- Century-old trees in the forests of Sardasht and Baneh have been recently cut down and sold by mafia-like groups. Although the forests are close to military outposts, officials do not stop or arrest the members of these groups.

“The officials shut their eyes to the ongoing logging,” said ecologist Shlier, warning that if the logging continues, it will pose a threat to the entire ecosystem for the long term.

“These mafia-like groups use some sophisticated tools and equipment to cut down trees in the forests. They cut down trees in an organized way. They cut down trees, process, and move them to a location for transport. Then, they are transported to big cities and sold as firewood. These groups work in coordination with Iranian soldiers.”

‘The aim is to deforest the region’

Shlier emphasized that trees were cut down under the control of Iranian soldiers. “We think that some government officials also work with these mafia-like groups. Some reports reveal that the members of these groups face no problems in cutting down trees although there are military outposts everywhere and that some soldiers and government officials accept bribes from these groups. The aim of the ongoing logging is to deforest the region.”

‘It will pose a threat to the entire ecosystem of Zagros’

Speaking about the “security” projects implemented in the region in the name of “military control”, Shlier said, “Unfortunately, these projects play a very destructive role in deforestation. The security agencies try to control the region by deforesting the region; however, these policies will destroy nature and ecosystems. If logging continues, it will pose a threat to not only the forests in Sardasht and Baneh but also the entire ecosystem of Zagros.”