Several uprooted gundelia plants spotted in Qandil area
'An injustice to nature'
Qandil residents call for action to stop spring herb uprooting
QANDIL — Residents of villages in the Qandil Mountains are urging authorities to intervene as visitors from outside the area continue to uproot wild herbs and plants, threatening local vegetation and ecosystems.
In a public appeal, locals described the unregulated harvesting as harmful to both the environment and future generations. “This form of uprooting is an injustice to nature and to us,” they said, calling for legal measures to prevent further damage.
Residents specifically highlighted the overharvesting of gundelia — a wild thistle-like herb known locally and scientifically as Gundelia tournefortii. The plant, prized for its edible young stems, is native to the mountains and valleys of the Kurdistan Region and is a popular seasonal ingredient.
Locals demanded action from the Qandil municipality, Raparin security forces, and surrounding communities to stop the practice. They also called for legal restrictions to protect the region’s biodiversity.
Dilsher Ibrahim, co-chair of the Qandil municipality, said the community’s concerns are valid.
“We’ve observed that those coming to Qandil to collect spring herbs often arrive from Garmiyan, Sulaymaniyah, and Raparin, and some of them are responsible for depleting plant life in the area,” Ibrahim told 964media.
“If anyone is seen uprooting herbs, we will deal with them strictly,” he added.
