ŞIRNAK - Citizens living in the villages on the slopes of Mount Cudi stated that they were pressured to cut down the trees in the forest area and stated that the governor's office said: “We are cutting the trees to rebuild the village”.

 

The deforestation in the Besta region of Şırnak and in the Cudi, Gabar and Cilênimeja mountains has been going on for two years, uninterruptedly, by the rangers under the supervision of the soldiers. While tree cutting continues in Sorbitnê village of Silopi, pressure is applied to the villagers to cut trees in Biliga village.

 

GOVERNORSHIP: WE WILL BUILD THE VILLAGE

 

Against the tree cutting, the citizens went to the Şırnak Governorate and demanded that the tree slaughter be stopped; however, the governor's office replied to the citizens: "We are cutting down trees to rebuild the village." Condemning this situation, the villagers stated that they do not accept the cutting of trees.

 

THE VILLAGERS ARE FORCED TO CUT THE TREES

 

Stating that the state were pressured to cut the trees in the forest area within the borders of the village where they lived, Yusuf Deniz (67) from Biliga village of Silopi said: “There is no place in our region that they have not touched. The state started cutting trees up to the border of Bêspin Town. On the one hand, the state says they will rebuild the village, on the other hand, the state will cut the trees. What is the meaning of that village after we cut down our trees and deforestrate the village? We do not want trees to be cut down in our village or any other area. Trees are not the property of anyone, they belong to this land.”

 

AUTHORITIES: WE WILL CUT ALL TREES IN WINTER

 

Noting that the trees were cut under the name of "security", Deniz said: "They say they will cut down all the trees in the village. We will not allow trees to be cut down as much as we can. Recently, the villagers went to meet with the Governor and the Şırnak Forestry Management Directorate. The authorities replied that "all trees must be cut down this winter". They say that while we are not even allowed to enter our village, they cut the trees for the rebuilding of the village. We don't want anyone to be silent about it. There is no human being in which there is no tree. 

 

THE CUTTING OF TREES ON 7 THOUSAND ACRES OF LAND IN SEGIRKE

 

İlyas Yagan (69) from the village of Sorbitnê, where the tree was cut, stated that there was a tree massacre in an area of 7 thousand decares. Yegan said: “The ones who cut down our trees are the guards of Sêgirkê. Our village has a population of nearly 4,000. We filed a lawsuit but to no avail. Those who say 'There is no cutting of trees' should come and look at our village. Hundreds of pear and almond trees were cut down. The world should see, is this right? The authorities say that 'if you don't cut it, the rangers will cut it'".

 

The villagers called on the public to be sensitive to the tree cutting.