The coalition is asserting that security/military policies are destroying nature in the region. They are calling for depopulation and ecological destruction to stop in the ancient area in Diyarbakir. The Climate Justice Coalition (IAK) bringing together 75 ecology, animal, and human rights organizations in Turkey announced that cutting of trees has started in “Geliyê Godernê” a region of historical and cultural significance that is located within the Lice, Kulp, and Hazro districts of Diyarbakir.

The coalition is arguing that the military/security policies are destroying nature in the region, also known as Tas Köprü, and calling for “depopulation and ecological destruction” to stop.

Medine Mamedoglu from NuJINHA agency reported that trees are being cut down by village guards, carried away by trucks, and armored vehicles keeping guard of the village guards are on watch alongside the Hazro road in the region.

Dam will submerge 50 villages

Another danger in the prospect is the building of a dam in the region which will submerge the valley.

When the Silvan Dam, included in the plans in the Southeast Anatolian Project (GAP) is built, the Godernê Valley will be submerged.

Not only the valley, but furthermore 50 villages in Kulp, Lice, and Hazro districts will be submerged when the Silvan dam is built.

About Geliyê Godernê

Geliyê Godernê lies 30 kilometers to Kulp, Diyarbakir. The rocks found in the caves of the village date back to the Neolithic period. There are also historical buildings built by Assyrians, Armenians, and Kurds in the village.

There is a strait along the Sarim River here, which is up to 200 meters high and there is a historical stone bridge over the river, after which the region is named, which connects Kulp to Silvan.

This bridge was constructed during the period of Abdulhamid II, who reigned the Ottoman Empire from 1842 to 1918. The bridge has been constructed using stones cut from the rocks found to the north of the village.

Geliyê Godernê is an important stop in the trips that the Climate Justice Coalition makes to the southeast provinces with the aim of identifying the ecological problems, called the Mezopotamya caravan (Mezopotamya Kervani).

Source: English Bianet