Sulaymaniyah announces project to identify region’s oldest trees

SULAYMANIYAH — In a joint effort, the Sulaymaniyah Forestry and Environmental Police and the Zhingadosti environmental NGO have launched a project to catalog 100 of the oldest trees in the Kurdistan Region, starting with a 300-year-old mulberry tree in Sulaymaniyah’s Costa Cham neighborhood.

Hazhar Abdullah, the project manager, emphasized the cultural significance of these ancient trees to local news outlet 964media. “Years ago, this area was filled with many trees, but many have been cut down,” Abdullah said. “These trees need protection. It is crucial to preserve them as a part of our national heritage.”

Unofficial data suggests there are about 40 to 50 old trees within the Sulaymaniyah governorate alone, with ages ranging from 150 to 600 years. The initiative plans to expand its survey to other areas, including Erbil and Soran, targeting other ancient trees that require conservation.

Hemin Kamarkhan, spokesperson for the Sulaymaniyah Forestry and Environmental Police, reiterated the importance of their mission. “Our duty is to safeguard the trees and ensure they are not damaged,” Kamarkhan told 964media.