ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Environmentalists in western Iran on Friday said people are deliberately setting forests on fire in order to create coal, and accused the government of “negligence” for allowing this to continue. Chya Green Organization in Iran’s western Kurdish regions (Rojhelat) said that the forests of Marivan in Kurdistan province are being intentionally set on fire in order for them to dry out before being cut down and turned into coal for sale. “The enemies of the environment and life of this nation are continuing to seize it. Fire is being set to forests in the Bashmakh plains for its seizure,” Chya said. The environmental organization said that “negligence of the authorities” has allowed this practice to occur. Forest fires, particularly in the vicinity of Marivan, have become a regular occurrence over the past few years, sparking concerns about the environment amid claims of arson and accusations of government failure to act. Among the trees lost was a nearly 600-year-old species of pistachio that had been cut down. Chya Green Organization was established over 20 years ago and is one of few environmentalist groups in Marivan, raising awareness about illegal logging and threats to the famous oak trees, including fires. The group is composed of hundreds of volunteers.
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