Tree cutting, carried out for mining and oil exploration, has put all life in the Botan region under systematic ecological destruction for nearly nine years. Thousands gathered to say stop, marching in Şırnak with the slogan “we want peace, not dams.” After voicing their demands, the crowd went to Besta, where trees had been cut and piled, set up tents, cooked communally, danced around fires, and drew attention to the devastation.
Mothers who saw the piles of trees began chanting laments together, singing separate laments for each tree. Ayşe Akar sang a traditional stran to highlight the ongoing destruction of people and trees in Botan, calling for the massacre to stop. She said that as mothers they would resist, becoming the silent cry of the trees felled in Cudi, Gabar, and Besta.
Mother Akar that she had left her home to attend the vigil, she said this was their land, their trees, their gardens, but nothing was left. She promised they would stay as long as needed, and said that they would do everything for the trees.
She added that when she saw the trees cut and thrown aside, she was devastated, and though she swallowed her tears, she felt that the trees were part of them. If the trees disappear, so will they. Their enemies, who are enemies of people and nature, cut them down. Everything they have is tied to the land, and that is why they must protect it.
She concluded by saying they cannot destroy the Kurds or the forests, that they came from their homes to stop this plunder, and that after seeing the scene they will do everything possible to protect the trees, so that no more are made to suffer.