Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan Region – Environmental activists and local residents in Sulaimaniyah are raising alarm over the ongoing activities of companies affiliated with authorities, which involve cutting and flattening parts of Goyzha Mountain for residential projects. The move has sparked concerns about the detrimental impact on the region's natural landscape.

In the northern area of Sulaimaniyah city, where the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) holds influence, several companies have initiated construction activities on Goyzha Mountain, significantly altering its terrain. Maroof Majid, president of Aynda Organization for Environmental Protection in the Kurdistan Region, condemned these actions, labeling them as "distorting the appearance of Sulaimaniyah" and demanding an immediate halt to the projects.

"In front of the government and official institutions, a number of companies and investors have begun to distort the mountains and hills of Sulaimaniyah," Majid expressed to local media. He underscored the aesthetic value of Goyzha and Azmar Mountains, lamenting their transformation for construction purposes. Majid advocated for the preservation of these natural landmarks, proposing their development into tourist destinations instead.

Despite Sulaimaniyah's reputation as the greenest city in Kurdistan, Majid cautioned that the ongoing residential developments on its mountains and hills are damaging the environment and tarnishing the city's natural beauty. "We demand an immediate halt to these efforts," he emphasized.

Adding to the concerns, Bakhtawar Sapan, a lawyer, questioned the affiliations of the companies engaged in these projects. "It is impossible for any company that does not belong to the Sulaimaniyah authorities to receive projects on Goyzha Mountain," Sapan remarked to BasNews, suggesting potential conflicts of interest. He speculated that the recurrent forest fires on Goyzha Mountain in recent years might be linked to these development endeavors.

"This is an open occupation of the lands of Goyzha Mountain," Sapan declared, urging for increased scrutiny and transparency in the allocation of such projects. The unfolding situation underscores the need for careful consideration of environmental preservation and sustainable development in Sulaimaniyah.