The Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan Railway Project, which is eagerly awaited in Iğdır, is a project that is expected to provide significant economic and social contributions to the city. This project will contribute to the development of trade and tourism by strengthening the transportation infrastructure of the region. However, the route of the project, especially the part planned to pass through the middle of the City Forest, has drawn public reaction. Considering that the forest resources in İğdır are limited and environmental problems already exist, this is considered a step that will cause the situation to worsen.
Forest Existence and Air Pollution: The Importance of Urban Forests
Iğdır is one of the provinces with the least forests in Turkey in terms of forest area. According to the data, Iğdır has the lowest rate in Turkey in terms of the percentage of provinces with forest areas, with a rate of 0,8%. This means that natural life and ecosystem in the region are quite weak. In addition, the air pollution problem in Iğdır poses a major threat. The fact that the mountains in the city are bare makes it difficult for pollutants in the air to disperse due to the effect of the wind, which leads to air pollution worsening more quickly.
The Urban Forest is a very important green area for the people of Iğdır and is one of the only breathing areas of the city. During the summer months, this forest area has become a place preferred by the citizens to spend time with their families. Therefore, the protection of the Urban Forest is of great importance not only from an environmental perspective but also from a social and psychological perspective.
Public Reaction and Demands
Since the project route is planned to pass right through the middle of the City Forest, the local people are showing a great reaction to this situation. In particular, the cutting down of 5.000 trees will lead to the destruction of the existing forest area and cause the city to lose green space. This situation may negatively affect not only the natural life but also the social life in the region.
Businessman Serhat Sofuoğlu made statements on behalf of the protection of the Urban Forest, stating that shifting the railway line route just 50 meters up would eliminate all negativities. Sofuoğlu stated that he has made major investments in the development of Iğdır Forest Park since 2017 and that he does not want these efforts to go to waste. According to 2023 data, the fact that Iğdır's forest areas have a low rate of 0,8% indicates that this loss will have irreversible consequences.
Steps to be Taken for the Future of the Urban Forest
The people of Iğdır are requesting the authorities to change the route in order to protect the Urban Forest, which is a breathing space especially during the summer months. If the municipality and state authorities take into account the demands of the people in this regard and revise the route of the railway line, it will be a step that is sensitive to the environment and will increase the quality of life of the people.
It is indisputable that the Kars-Iğdır-Nakhchivan Railway Project offers a great opportunity. However, this opportunity must be realized in an environmentally friendly way without causing the destruction of the people's living spaces. The protection of the Urban Forest does not only mean the survival of a natural area, but is also of vital importance for the people of Iğdır to live a healthy life.
