For the last 3 years, the tree slaughter, which has been started in Gabar, Cûdî and Kato Mountains, Besta and Çilênimêja regions of Şirnex (Şırnak), has spread to Feraşîn and Qaşuran regions of Elkê (Beytüşşebap) district this year. Tens of thousands of acorns and kizwan (menengiç) trees were cut down by rangers under the supervision of soldiers. In 3 years, nearly 10 percent of the forests in Şirnex were destroyed. At some points where not even a tree is left to sit in the shade, mining explorations are being carried out by companies close to the government. In the riddled geography, nature is being destroyed by using tonnes of dynamite for new roads, fortresses and mining areas. In addition to the city's nature, its air and water are also polluted.

 

AIR POLLUTION

 

According to the report published by the Right to Clean Air Platform in 2022, 68,440 people died in Turkey and Kurdistan due to air pollution-related diseases. The city with the highest rate of deaths due to air pollution was Colemêrg (Hakkari) with 41.11 percent. This was followed by Êlih (Batman) with 34.2 percent and Şirnex with 30.24 percent. In Şirnex, where air pollution has increased along with the plunder of nature, there is also an increase in related diseases. 

 

 

Şirnex Branch of the Union of Health and Social Service Labourers (SES) Co-chair Mihriban Şenbayram made evaluations on air pollution and health problems caused by the ongoing destruction of nature in the region for 3 years. 

 

'NATURE PLUNDERING'

 

Mihriban Şenbayram stated that Şirnex was no longer a plateau due to the destruciton of nature in the region and noted that this situation brought along serious negative effects on the health of the people in the region. "The extent of the destruction has grafually increased as coal and oil started to be extracted in Şırnak. The oil in Gabar Mountain and the thermal power plant in Silopi are among the factors that increase air pollution. In addition, Şırnak has been declared a 'special security' zone and forests are being slaughtered and nature is being plundered. In Şırnak, 8 percent of the forests have been cut down or burnt down in the last 2 years. We see how harmful this massacre of nature is for human health," she said. 

 

Mihriban Şenbayram stated that the underground resources in the region are extracted without taking human health into consideration and noted that health problems have increased in the region with the intervention in nature. Mihriban Şenbayram said: "The thermal power plant in Silopi is not operated in accordance with human health. It is very close to settlements and cancer cases have increased since the thermal power plant was established in Silopi. Again, according to the data of the Clean Air Platform; 92 percent of the population of Şırnak breathe polluted air. In a province with so much air pollution, human health is in danger. Therefore, respiratory diseases occur. There has been an increase in diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma attacks, lung cancers and heart diseases."

 

'THE EFFECT AREAS OF THE LEAKING GASES ARE NOT SMALL'

 

Stating that the destruction of nature poses a serious threat to public health, Mihriban Şenbayram said: "All humanity will be affected by this. We know that diseases will increase in the future due to the oil in Gabar. As a very serious air pollution has already been detected, it is not difficult to predict the future. Unfortunately, the areas of influence of the gases leaking from the operations of underground resources are not small. It has effects that will spread not only to the region where it is located, but also to the whole geography."

 

'IF NATURE DETERIORATES, HUMAN BEINGS DETERIORATE'

 

Noting that there is an intervention in the ecosystem of the region, Mihriban Şenbayram continued her words as follows: "It affects not only us or our region, but the whole world and the ecosystem. When extracting underground resources, it should be done in accordance with human health. However, the current rent and plunder is being carried out in a way that disregards human health and is not suitable for human health. We recommend that governments and states produce policies accordingly. We must protect our nature. Because nature and man are intertwined. When nature deteriorates, man deteriorates. When human health deteriorates, this time we will experience unpreventable problems."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut