As Ilam Forests Burn, Authorities Stand Still
10:05 - 11 June 2015
Kurdpa: Volunteers and green peace activists in Ilam province of Iranian Kurdistan have been battling forest fires, causing extensive damages to Ilam’s wild habitat.
Monday night kicked off the start of new wild fires in parts of Ilam province, in and around the township of Zardalan in the district of Chardawal of Ilam County.
The fires enflamed 5 hectares of wild forest pastures. The locals were able to contain the fires in and around the forests in Zardalan.
Another series of fires also began on Monday in the Manesht and Qalarang Protected Areas in Sirwan County burning 10 hectares of forest in the area.
This series of fires also fast spread to the oak forests of Zarin Abad. As a result of these wild fires, so far 120 hectares of forest have been burnt to the ground in the Kurdish province of Ilam.
Masoumeh Ebtekar, head of Iran’s Department of Environment, said on Saturday a wildfire that had burnt 100 hectares of Ilam Province’s forests was finally extinguished with cooperation of Natural Resources Organization, Department Of Environment, and rescue forces.
However, Ali Mohammad Ahmadi, the member of Iranian Majlis for parts of Ilam province criticized the government’s response to the crisis. “The Office of Crisis Management acted late; the government only acted 24 hours after the wild fires burnt hundreds of hectares of Ilam’s forests. The Environment and Natural Resources Organization, despite an immense budget stepped in and borrowed helicopters from neighbouring provinces a day after the fires started,” Ahmadi added.
He also criticized the local and national state media for ignoring to cover this national tragedy.
Wild fires are the main causes of natural habitat and wild forest destructions in mountainous Kurdish areas of Iran. Government officials blame the fires on tourists and campers, neglecting to put out their campfire. Ahmadi denies this claim and believes that these areas are rugged mountains with little or no tourist and camper accessibility.
Reacting to claims of late response, Ebtekar blamed it on the weather and terrain. “Helicopters were dispatched to extinguish the Ilam fire, but that was not helping because it was too windy. By the way, vehicles couldn’t access the far and inaccessible location in the forest,’ she added.
The start of fires simultaneously in three separate areas confirms to locals and green peace activists and experts that the fires might have been ignited intentionally. There are also large presence of various military personnel in these mountains ranges to battle insurgents and Kurdish opposition fighters. They are also suspected of starting the fires.
The Kurdish areas of Iran are among the most poorest and deprived areas of Iran. Many complain that in case of any dissent or protests, thousands of troops are fast mobilized to react; however, little or no investment and infrastructure are put in place to deal with natural disasters such as the wildfires.
“Even the drones and firefighting equipments must be brought from more affluent provinces,” said one eye-witness to Kurdpa.
Ilam province with the population of 600,000 had the highest unemployment in 2013, well over 20% unemployment rate.
Writing by Kurdpa Staff Writers and editing by Hazhir B.
Monday night kicked off the start of new wild fires in parts of Ilam province, in and around the township of Zardalan in the district of Chardawal of Ilam County.
The fires enflamed 5 hectares of wild forest pastures. The locals were able to contain the fires in and around the forests in Zardalan.
Another series of fires also began on Monday in the Manesht and Qalarang Protected Areas in Sirwan County burning 10 hectares of forest in the area.
This series of fires also fast spread to the oak forests of Zarin Abad. As a result of these wild fires, so far 120 hectares of forest have been burnt to the ground in the Kurdish province of Ilam.
Masoumeh Ebtekar, head of Iran’s Department of Environment, said on Saturday a wildfire that had burnt 100 hectares of Ilam Province’s forests was finally extinguished with cooperation of Natural Resources Organization, Department Of Environment, and rescue forces.
However, Ali Mohammad Ahmadi, the member of Iranian Majlis for parts of Ilam province criticized the government’s response to the crisis. “The Office of Crisis Management acted late; the government only acted 24 hours after the wild fires burnt hundreds of hectares of Ilam’s forests. The Environment and Natural Resources Organization, despite an immense budget stepped in and borrowed helicopters from neighbouring provinces a day after the fires started,” Ahmadi added.
He also criticized the local and national state media for ignoring to cover this national tragedy.
Wild fires are the main causes of natural habitat and wild forest destructions in mountainous Kurdish areas of Iran. Government officials blame the fires on tourists and campers, neglecting to put out their campfire. Ahmadi denies this claim and believes that these areas are rugged mountains with little or no tourist and camper accessibility.
Reacting to claims of late response, Ebtekar blamed it on the weather and terrain. “Helicopters were dispatched to extinguish the Ilam fire, but that was not helping because it was too windy. By the way, vehicles couldn’t access the far and inaccessible location in the forest,’ she added.
The start of fires simultaneously in three separate areas confirms to locals and green peace activists and experts that the fires might have been ignited intentionally. There are also large presence of various military personnel in these mountains ranges to battle insurgents and Kurdish opposition fighters. They are also suspected of starting the fires.
The Kurdish areas of Iran are among the most poorest and deprived areas of Iran. Many complain that in case of any dissent or protests, thousands of troops are fast mobilized to react; however, little or no investment and infrastructure are put in place to deal with natural disasters such as the wildfires.
“Even the drones and firefighting equipments must be brought from more affluent provinces,” said one eye-witness to Kurdpa.
Ilam province with the population of 600,000 had the highest unemployment in 2013, well over 20% unemployment rate.
Writing by Kurdpa Staff Writers and editing by Hazhir B.
