The shortage of pastures in Goptapa village has forced a decline in livestock numbers
Aghjalar
Shortage of pastures forces decline in livestock numbers in Goptapa village
AGHJALAR — A shortage of pastures in Goptapa village has led to a significant decline in livestock numbers, forcing herders to either reduce their herds or relocate to other villages.
Hawkar Jaafar, a resident of the village located in the Aghjalar district of Sulaymaniyah province and a professional shepherd, said he used to manage 350 livestock but is now down to only 100. “The reason is that the pastures have been converted into agricultural lands and fish pond projects, which has made our task more challenging, and fewer people are now keeping livestock,” Jaafar told 964media.
Jaafar added that in previous years, many shepherds were forced to move their livestock to surrounding villages due to the lack of pastures. “Obtaining feed in past years was somewhat easier. The price of one ton of Grade A feed used to be 300,000 dinars ($200), but now the price has risen to over 800,000 dinars ($534),” he said.
Recurring fires in the village and throughout the Aghjalar district, as well as the conversion of pasture lands into other projects, have left many herders with no choice but to reduce their livestock.
In this year alone, fires have affected 15 villages in the Aghjalar district, damaging over 2,965 acres of grasslands and pastures.
Goptapa village, along with its three neighboring villages, is located near the Little Zab River, a popular destination that attracts tourists each spring and summer.
