70-year-old tree cut down in Sulaymaniyah adds to ongoing illegal logging trend

SULAYMANIYAH — A 70-year-old tree was cut down in the village of Mirade, located in the Sulaymaniyah’s Zrayen sub-district. Following an investigation by forest police units, the suspect was identified and arrested, and legal proceedings are underway.

Speaking to 964media, Hemin Kamarkhan, spokesperson for Directorate of Forest and Environment Police in Sulaymaniyah, stated that the forest police responded promptly to reports of cutting down the tree, conducting site inspections and arresting the accused individual.

This incident follows another case on Dec. 30, 2024, in Barzinja, Sulaymaniyah, where a 200-year-old tree was illegally cut down. The suspect in that case was also arrested.

The Forest and Environment Police Directorate’s data reveals that 11 people were arrested within the first six days of the year in connection with illegal tree cutting in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.

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

In December 2024, authorities  arrested 37 individuals for illegally cutting down trees in protected forest areas in Sulaymaniyah.