Environmental violations

Authorities arrest suspects for poaching and illegal logging in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH — Authorities in Piramagrun, Sulaymaniyah, arrested two individuals on charges of poaching, while a third person was detained in the Bingird area for illegal logging, according to the Sulaymaniyah Forest and Environment Police.

In Piramagrun, officers from the local forestry and environment police unit apprehended two suspects near Bakh village, seizing a vehicle, two hunting rifles, and two rounds of ammunition used for hunting.

In Bingird, police detained a resident of Palko village for cutting down trees illegally. Authorities confiscated approximately 36 felled trees.

The Forest and Environment Police confirmed that investigations are underway in both cases and that legal measures will be taken against the suspects.

Illegal tree cutting remains a major driver of deforestation in the Kurdistan Region, where some traders and individuals violate environmental laws to produce charcoal or firewood. Data from the Sulaymaniyah Forest and Environment Police shows that 23 people were arrested for unauthorized logging in the governorate during the first three weeks of the year, while in December 2024 authorities detained 37 individuals for cutting down trees in protected forest areas.

Violators face a fine of 500,000 IQD (approximately $330), with nonpayment potentially leading to a prison sentence of up to three months.

Our youth does not care about renewable energy

Our youth does not care about renewable energy

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