Fighting to save Iraq’s endangered Caucasian oak trees

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Fearing its extinction, environmental activists are alarmed about a rare oak tree on Hassan Beg mountain in Soran, Erbil province. 

The Caucasian oak, scientifically known as Quercus macranthera, is one of the trees in the area that is on the brink of extinction. The mountain houses only a few of these trees, making their survival precarious.

Taking action, they’ve erected fences and placed warning signs to protect its seeds.

Earlier this year, a program aired shedding light on the existential threats faced by the trees, leading to an initiation for protection efforts.

The region is home to five oak tree species, constituting 90% of the forests.

Alongside the fence, warning signs were placed on the trees, and the government has taken on the responsibility of safeguarding them from being cut down.

In addition to climate change, man-made threats pose another danger to these trees. Locals and officials in Iraq have raised concerns about the perilous practice of cutting down trees, particularly old oak trees, especially in mountainous areas.

The green spaces in the northern region of Iraq suffer severe damage as a result of armed clashes and aerial bombardments from Turkey. Preserving these natural resources is considered essential for upholding the region’s ecological equilibrium.

The efforts to protect the endangered Caucasian oak trees emphasize the significance of ecological balance worldwide. Each living organism holds the right to existence and plays a crucial role in the conservation battle to safeguard and restore biodiversity worldwide.