PHOTOS: A glance at wildlife in the Kurdistan Region's Garmiyan

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – See a variety of birds and other animals now thriving in Garmiyan, an unofficial province in the Kurdistan Region that includes the three districts of Kalar, Kifri, and Chamchamal. It is an area well known for the rich fauna inhabiting its vast plains and sprawling mountainous terrain.

Between 2008 and 2012, the Kurdistan Region passed several laws and regulations aimed at protecting its natural resources such as trees, animals, and water, including several locations popular with tourists who appreciate scenic beauty.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources' 2012 Act of Forests in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq states, "It is forbidden to dispose [of] forests, whether registered under name of the Ministry or not registered, except in accordance with the law."

Hunting animals and unmanaged culling of trees are both prohibited in the Kurdistan Region. This approach has been adopted by many residents of rural areas, contributing to the stunning mountainscapes in several locations for as far as the eye can see.

Editing by John J. Catherine