Duhok Takes Action on Zawita Fire After Kurdistan24 Report
Following a Kurdistan24 report, the Duhok Governor has ordered legal action against two people for burning over 2,000 pine trees in Zawita. A committee has been formed to investigate the fires that scorched 800 dunams of land.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Governor of Duhok has ordered that legal measures be taken against two individuals on charges of burning parts of the Zawita sub-district, a swift and decisive response that came one day after a Kurdistan24 report highlighted the devastating loss of thousands of pine trees in the scenic area.
On Sunday, Dr. Ali Tatar, the Governor of Duhok, convened a special meeting specifically to address the issue of the recent fires and the broader necessity of environmental protection.
The meeting followed the publication of a Kurdistan24 report the day before, on Saturday, which detailed the burning of a significant number of pine trees in Zawita.
The meeting was attended by the directors of all districts and sub-districts within the borders of Duhok province.
During the meeting, Governor Tatar made the decision to pursue legal action against two people in connection with the Zawita fires.
He also strongly emphasized the critical importance of protecting the environment and mandated efforts to further increase the green spaces throughout the region.
The Governor noted that this firm stance aligns with recommendations from Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Government, who has called for necessary follow-up and both administrative and legal measures to be taken against all individuals who encroach on the environment and burn the region's forests.
In parallel to the governor's directive, the Duhok force for environmental protection of Kurdistan has initiated its own response.
The force has formed a committee tasked with formally investigating the circumstances surrounding the burning of the Zawita sub-district area. To ensure a thorough investigation, officials are coordinating with the local population to gather information.
According to a follow-up by Kurdistan24, the scale of the environmental damage in the last month has been substantial.
Approximately 800 dunams of land have been burned, and more than two thousand pine trees have been destroyed in the Zawita sub-district, representing a significant loss to the region's natural landscape.
