Kurdistan
Murad Zarayi stands in his orchard in Sanandaj on April 14, 2021. Photo: Jabar Dastbaz / Rudaw
SANANDAJ, Iran — Over two thousand trees were cut down in an orchard in the Kurdish west of Iran earlier this month, leaving the orchard’s owner devastated.
The fruit trees were cut down on the outskirts of the village of Gazna, near the city of Sanandaj provoked outrage, especially from local environmentalists and civil activists. It is not yet known who is responsible for felling the trees, which were planted eight years ago.
Orchard owner Murad Zarayi, 51, told Rudaw English of the sacrifices he made to acquire the land he planted the trees on.
“I got this land from Sanandaj’s agriculture [directorate] 11 years ago. This area used to be a desert. I sold my house in the rural part of Sanandaj and my vehicle to invest in this orchard.”
“I loved each tree as one of my children and cared for them around the clock.”
Zarayi and his family travelled to Sanandaj to buy some goods, but when they returned home they were shocked to see that 2,300 trees had been cut down and the orchard water pipe damaged.
“I went to the city with my children to buy some goods, and returned. I saw from far that the trees had fallen,” Zarayi said. At first I thought it had been caused by wind, but when I approached them I found out that they had been cut down. I lost consciousness.”
“I planted the trees one by one with my own hands… I have no issues with anyone and I don’t know who caused this catastrophe.”
Zarayi is a father of three. He has also been raising two of his grandchildren since his daughter-in-law passed away. He is a survivor of a chemical attack during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.
The police have not yet detained anyone in connection with his trees being cut down, but they have questioned a number of people.
Deforestation is a problem across Kurdistan. Trees are often cut down to illegally produce charcoal, or are lost because of fires caused by artillery fire and airstrikes, arson, or smouldering coals left behind after picnics.
The police have not yet detained anyone, but they have questioned a number of people.
Zarayi has not eaten anything in recent days. Instead, he chain smokes and walks among what is left of the trees with a heavy heart.
His neighbors fear that their orchards could have the same fate.
Ahmed Saadi, 45, is a neighbor of Zarayi.
“I have been neighbors with Mr. Murad for more than 10 years. All I have seen from him has been good deeds. He hasn't had any issues with anyone," Saadi said. "This is also a threat to other orchards... I call on the relevant authorities to find the perpetrators and publish them.”
Translation by Karwan Faidhi Dri
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