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.
Ecologists: Plunder should not be the fate of this region
The area affected by the fire that erupted between Amed and Mêrdîn and killed 15 people, should be declared a disaster area, ecologists say, “This plunder should not be the fate of this region.”
Shepherds give fire victims 350 sheep in an act of solidarity
Kurdish Shepherds started a solidarity campaign to give sheep to the villagers affected by the fire between Diyarbakır (Amed) and Mardin (Mêrdîn) in which 15 people lost their lives. They have already distributed 350 sheep and goats to the villagers.
New solar energy in Dêrik: The Construction of the solar powered well began
After the Turkish airstrikes against the infrastructure in Rojava, the Democratic Autonomous Administration together with initiatives of international solidarity are developing ecological solutions.
Rojava: Drip irrigation against desertification
Agriculture is one of the main causes of desertification due to its massive water consumption. In Northern and Eastern Syria, attempts are being made to stop the desertification process through drip irrigation.
Women build common life in Jinwar
Women living in Jinwar, an all-women village, work together to build a common life. The village is the place that they always dreamed of living in.
4,000 fruit trees planted as part of ‘Jiyan Project’
4,000 fruit trees have been planted in the Melemerze village of Dêrik (Al-Malikiyah) as part of the “Jiyan (Life) Project” launched by the Women’s Economy. The project will turn into a women’s cooperative when the trees start fruiting next year.
Final declaration of Rojava Ecology Conference published
Last April, a conference called "Ecology in Democratic Modernity - From Resistance to Construction: Perspectives, Possibilities & Challenges" was organized in Qamishlo.
‘We should stop ecological plunder’
“We should stop ecological plunder,” said Halime Şaman, a volunteer at the Muğla Environmental Platform, calling for a united struggle against ecological plunder in Türkiye and Kurdistan.
Ibrahim Esed: Ecological genocide continues
Ibrahim Esed is co-chair of the Ecology Committee. In this interview, he talked about the need to further develop ecological awareness in Northern and Eastern Syria and to oppose Turkish attacks on the environment.
Women as vanguard of the ecological and anticolonial struggle
Interview with Berivan Omer and other insights from the ecological conference.
Afrin-Shehba Canton Municipality continues to serve people despite attacks and embargo
Afrin-Shehba Canton Municipality does not stop its activities despite the attacks and embargo, and serves the public based on an ecological life. In 2024, solar energy will spread in the districts and villages.
