Removal required to prevent spread
Disease, drought ravage Ranya Forest in Raparin, threatening thousands of trees
RAPARIN — The Ranya Forest in the autonomous administration of Raparin, Sulaymaniyah, is facing a severe ecological crisis, with nearly 4,000 pine trees dried up due to fungal disease and harsh weather conditions, according to the Ranya Environment Directorate.
Mohammed Karim, the director of the Ranya Environment Directorate, reported to 964media that an investigation into the drying trees concluded they are suffering from both disease and the impacts of hot weather. The affected trees, part of a forest approximately 50 years old, now require removal to prevent the disease from spreading further.
The Ranya Forest, located east of the city of Ranya, spans nearly 226 acres toward the Rania dam and is home to about 25,000 pine trees. Over the last three years, the forest’s condition has dramatically deteriorated, with an acceleration in the number of trees drying up.
“Part of the forest has deteriorated, and some residents have damaged the trees. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the dried trees and, if needed, plant new ones,” Karim stated.
However, efforts to address the situation are hampered by a lack of resources. The directorate faces challenges in cutting down the dried trees due to insufficient staff. A previous investigation by 964media in July last year revealed that 3,000 trees had already dried up at that time, with the problem worsening by nearly 1,000 more trees over the past year.
Hama Shwan Barzinji, Director of the Raparin Environment Directorate, highlighted the broader challenges in managing the region’s ecological health, noting the lack of official statistics on the number of natural and artificial forests within their jurisdiction.
“We have repeatedly requested a survey, but the financial situation in the region has hindered its completion,” Barzinji explained. This financial strain underscores the dire need for support to safeguard Raparin’s environmental assets amid escalating ecological challenges.
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