Illegal herb foragers detained in Barzan, forced to replant uprooted plants

BARZAN — Environmental authorities in Barzan, part of the Soran Autonomous Administration, detained several individuals on Sunday for illegally uprooting large quantities of wild spring herbs. Officials said 939 plants were later replanted in the mountains.

“Several people entered the beautiful nature of Barzan and removed a large quantity of spring herbs by the roots,” Siddiq Hassan, head of media relations for the Barzan Environmental Protection Battalion, told 964media. “They were detained and the plants were taken from them. The offenders were then taken back to the mountains where they replanted 939 herbs they had collected.”

Hassan said the plants had been improperly harvested. “The herbs were removed improperly and uprooted completely,” he said. “If herbs are harvested by cutting, they can regrow, but uprooting them destroys them.”

The sale and purchase of wild spring herbs is banned in the area. “However, if someone responsibly gathers a reasonable number of herbs for their own household consumption, that is acceptable,” he added.

Similar detentions occurred last year, Hassan said, with those offenders also required to replant the herbs. “Those individuals were also required to replant what they had collected. This comes as the battalion has provided clear public guidance at the start of the spring season on how to responsibly harvest wild herbs,” he said.

Spring marks peak foraging season in the Kurdistan Region, drawing residents into remote areas despite the dangers of unexploded ordnance. Landmines from past conflicts continue to pose serious risks, and several foragers have been killed in recent weeks.

Barzan is known for its strong environmental conservation ethic. Local efforts extend beyond the wild herb ban to include protection of trees and wildlife, particularly mountain species. The region has seen a rise in the mountain goat population, with animals now occasionally seen wandering into villages and streets.