Saplings planted in the steppe in Iğdır turned into a small forest in 7 years

IĞDIR (AA) – HÜSEYİN YILDIZ – Thanks to the afforestation works started in the steppe area 7 years ago in Iğdır in order to combat erosion, the saplings reached a height of 5-6 meters and turned the region into a small forest. In Iğdır, which is among the provinces with the lowest tree population in Turkey, the afforestation efforts carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry have started to yield positive results.

In the steppe area between Gaziler and Kula villages of Tuzluca district, terracing was carried out in 2018 and sapling planting was carried out in 2019 in order to prevent the erosion affecting the region. Pine and other drought-resistant saplings were planted on the terraces in order to increase the forest presence and prevent erosion. After approximately 7 years, the saplings planted in the region grew and reached a height of 5-6 meters.

Other trees in the area, which has almost turned into a small pine forest, are expected to grow over time and create a significant tree presence in the region. The forest created in the region, which is rich in wildlife, is intended to provide a new living space for animals. Iğdır University Technical Sciences Vocational School Forestry Department Dr. Faculty Member Belkıs Muca Yiğit told the AA correspondent that there was serious soil loss in the region where the study was carried out in the past.

Stating that Iğdır has significant deficiencies in terms of forest existence, Yiğit stated that only 1 percent of the province’s surface area is covered with forests. Stating that various studies are carried out in order to increase the forest presence in the city and protect the existing soil resources, Yiğit noted that the afforestation project carried out on the slope between Gaziler and Kula villages is one of the successful examples of these studies.

Yiğit, who stated that shading work was carried out in the region before afforestation, said: “First of all, the area was cleared to ensure that the trees could hold on to the area. The work was completed with the afforestation of the area organized in steps and this work is being followed and monitored by the Forest Management Directorate and the height of the trees has now reached 5-6 meters. In other words, we have started to reap the fruits of 7 years of work.

It is an important achievement for Iğdır. “It is important to gain the region in this sense in terms of increasing the green area of Iğdır, especially in terms of the existence of a forest area dominated by the pine group.” – “It will allow wild animals to shelter and feed in the region.” Touching on the benefits of the acquired forest for the region, Yiğit said: “Using forest trees for afforestation in this area will cause the soil to hold on to a significant level thanks to its root systems.

So, the aim here is to prevent soil loss in the first place. The afforestation work here, the greening of the area, will lead to the transfer of different plant groups to the area, and this has started to happen within the 7-year period. We now see different plant groups in the area, which looked quite barren in the previous periods. In addition, it will create habitats for many living species. It will allow different wild animals to shelter and feed in the region.

In this sense, it will be a very important area.”