Despite official statements to the contrary, deforestation continues in the Besta region. According to consistent local reports and video footage from the ground, forests in the Kurdish province of Şırnak and in the mountainous regions of Cudi and Gabar are still being systematically cleared under the supervision of the Turkish military.
Video footage reportedly taken in Besta in recent days shows that logging continues to be carried out by so-called village guards in the presence of soldiers. Most recently, paramilitaries were observed near the thermal springs near Besta transporting the felled timber by tractor to the province of Siirt, specifically to the district of Pervari. What is striking is that the loaded vehicles passed through several military checkpoints.
For five years now, there have been reports of massive encroachment on nature in Şırnak, particularly deforestation in strategically sensitive areas. Despite occasional denials by government officials, current observations indicate that deforestation continues unabated.