'Gradually disappearing'

Rzgary’s parks at risk as irrigation halts for two months in dry winter

SULAYMANIYAH — Parks and green spaces in Rzgary Sub-District, Garmian, have been without irrigation for over two months, causing trees and plants to wilt amid dry conditions. Residents and environmental activists warn that without prompt action, the sub-district’s remaining greenery could disappear entirely.

Rzgary is one of four sub-districts in Kalar, the administrative center of the autonomous Garmian administration in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.

Yasin Hama Amin, an environmental activist in Rzgary, told 964media, “The trees and green spaces in Rzgary are deteriorating and gradually disappearing.” He urged authorities to take immediate action, warning, “If irrigation does not resume soon, all the greenery in the sub-district will be lost. Officials need to take this issue seriously and resolve the contract problems related to park maintenance.”

The situation worsened after the Municipality Ministry issued a new directive separating the contracts for waste collection and park maintenance, which were previously handled by the same company.

Arsalan Ahmed, mayor of Rzgary, confirmed to 964media that parks, green spaces, and boulevard trees have not been watered for two months, adding, “It hasn’t rained either, so the trees are becoming weaker and are at risk of dying out.”

He stated that a contract for park maintenance was awarded to a company in November last year, but local officials have not received formal confirmation from the ministry, nor do they know which company won the contract.

Ahmed warned that the percentage of green spaces in Rzgary has already declined to 11%, and without rainfall, the remaining trees will dry out, worsening the environmental impact on the sub-district.

This year, much of the Kurdistan Region has experienced low rainfall, heightening concerns among farmers. In the past two weeks, residents in several areas have turned to communal prayers—Salat Al-Istisqa—for rain.