Three individuals arrested for illegal tree felling in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH — Directorate of Forest and Environment Police in Sulaymaniyah announced on Monday the arrest of three individuals on charges of illegal tree cutting, two in Darbandikhan district and one in Sitak sub-district.

According to a statement from the directorate, a patrol from the Darbandikhan Forestry Police conducted an operation in the Zaren village area, resulting in the arrest of two individuals accused of illegal logging. Authorities also seized several cut trees and a vehicle used in the activity.

In Sitak sub-district, a joint patrol between the Forestry Police and local security forces apprehended another individual in the Bzenian village area for allegedly cutting down multiple natural trees.

The arrested individuals have been referred to the judiciary for further legal proceedings, and investigations are ongoing.

In December alone, authorities in Sulaymaniyah arrested 37 individuals for illegally cutting down trees in protected forest areas.

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Board of Environmental Protection and Improvement stated that the penalties associated with illegal tree cutting, which include a fine of 500,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $330). If offenders fail to pay the fine, they face up to three months in prison.

Illegal logging remains a major driver of deforestation in Kurdistan, with some traders and individuals cutting down trees to produce charcoal and other goods, often in violation of environmental laws.