Category: Ecology
Ecology is one of the three main pillars of the Rojava Revolution and the stateless self-governance model of the Autonomous Administrations of North and East Syria (AANES), as well as the Kurdish freedom movement more broadly, which initiated the revolution.
Although ecology is one of the main pillars of the revolution in North and East Syria, it is also sadly one of the least developed. This is due to the challenges of being at the epicentre of a global conflict and under heavy economic embargo in a desertifying region suffering immense water scarcity that has been forced into a pesticide and chemical fertiliser heavy form of monocrop agriculture for forty years. To add to these troubles, the rivers which flow through the region are controlled by hostile state of Turkey, which frequently detains water flow.
In Bakur (north Kurdistan / southeastern Turkey), ecological destruction is also used as a weapon of war. Hydroelectric megaprojects have been used to control village populations, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and literally submerging entire towns.
Below you can find articles with more information about attempts to create ecological projects in both regions, the ecological pillar of the Rojava Revolution, and the struggle against ecocide in southeastern Turkey.
Aborîya Jin Plant 3,800 Trees
3,800 trees were planted as part of the "Jîyan" project in Derik on the basis of decisions taken in the 3rd conference of the Women's Economic council of Kongra Star, organised by the Aborîya Jin office in Qamishlo.
Dry animal dung used as alternative to fuel in NE Syria
65-year-old Caziya Ileyat, who has grown vegetables in her small garden located in the town of Tell Tamer, has been engaged in agriculture since her childhood. She uses dry animal dung as an alternative to fuel.
State’s ecological apparatus: An interview with Zozan Pehlivan
In the summer of 2023, Mount Cudi is once again the site of significant wildfires, marking a recurring environmental challenge that has profound implications for the region which is an important part of the Kurdish geography. This event brings to the forefront an interview with Zozan Pehlivan, an environmental historian of the modern Middle East, the Ottoman Empire, and Ottoman Kurdistan, conducted in 2020, now translated into English by MedyaNews, that explores the intricate connections between ecology, economy, and history in Turkey, Kurdistan and beyond.
The world can learn from the Rojava revolution
Let’s reflect on the great achievements of the Rojava revolution in north and east Syria in the face of great adversity: the unification of communities deliberately divided on the basis of religion and ethnicity by dictatorial states and the Islamic fundamentalist terrorist movements alike; the liberation and empowerment of women in the face of the reactionary rollbacks imposed by the later; the embryonic attempts to reorganise the economy on a cooperative and ecologically sustainable basis; and the establishment of inclusive grassroots democracy based on the democratic confederalist ideas developed by long-imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.
10th dam to be built on the Tigris River
The "Cizre Dam" project to be built on the Tigris River in Cizre was approved. Many settlements will be flooded by the new dam.
Environmental leaders in North and East Syria – interviews with Jazira Canton Municipality and ‘Keziyen Kesk’ organization
In the face of an array of ecological challenges, a range of actors in NES have been working to cultivate an “environmentally minded population”. RIC spoke with Berivan Omer, a member of Jazira region’s leadership board and the women’s ecology platform, Ziwer Shexo, a volunteer for Keziyen Kesk (‘Green Braids’), a popular environmental initiative, and
Women collect wild mountain thyme
Women living in the Silvan district of Amed have already begun to collect wild mountain thyme. The women use wild mountain thyme in the kitchen or sell it to earn a living. Thyme has an average productive lifespan of six years and there are more than 200 varieties of thyme. Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections. Drinking thyme tea can be effective in reducing period pain and toothache.
Women’s village Jinwar plans new projects
In the women's village of Jinwar, an ecological economy, women's solidarity and a common and free life are being built. The residents are now planning new projects in the fields of solar energy, medicine and offers for children.
