Kurdshop - The natural glaciers of Mount Jilo in Julamerg province of the North part of Kurdistan is in danger of being destroyed due to high global temperatures. The water level of the glacial lake is reported to be increasing due to the melting of glaciers and ice.
The Ice Valley has been declared a national park by the Turkish president and a sensitive area to be protected. The largest ice sheet in the northern part of Kurdistan and Turkey is located on Mount Jilo between the cities of Julamerg and Gavar. It is used as a tourist destination, but due to global warming, it is getting smaller and smaller.
Experts who visit Mount Jilo and conduct scientific work have warned that the natural glaciers have deepened and a large gap has formed at the bottom, and people should not go to the natural glaciers.
Professor Dr. Mehmet Nuri Bodur, a member of the Faculty of Education of the College of Engineering at Julamerg University, said that the glaciation process dates back to 2 million years ago.
Bodur explained that the ice breaks within a certain period of time, and the melting process has begun, adding that this situation has accelerated with the Industrial Revolution.
"If we look at the process of the past 10 years, the melting of glaciers has accelerated all over the world, the most obvious example being the glaciers of Mount Jilo in Gavar," Bodur said.
Bodur said he has visited the natural glaciers in the area several times for mountaineering and scientific observation during his 12 years of activity in the city. He said that he had seen the melting of glaciers and the retreat of natural glaciers, resulting in increased water levels in the glacial lake.
Bodur said that as a result of the melting of the ice, the water in the area may rise and flood, as well as significant changes in the ecosystem of the area, which will hurt the environment, agriculture, and livestock. We can also say that this situation will cause climate change in the region.
Dr. Mehmet Nuri Bodur said that the region has a unique nature in terms of tourism and some important measures should be taken to pay attention to this nature. “When we look at it in terms of nature sports, this place is very rich and in order to introduce that wealth to the whole country and the world, various activities should be organized there. But when those activities are done, many people visit for tourist purposes, without harming nature, without polluting nature, without destroying the element that nature has created, and without destroying the structure created for human benefit. For this, conservation measures must be taken; otherwise, we can say that due to some changes in pollution, ecosystem, and climate, the area may be damaged. If we don't use it well, it takes away those blessings. People can visit the place and take pictures, but it's very dangerous if they go on the ice."
Bodur noted that there are thin cracks in the natural ice sheet that may suddenly become larger cracks, explaining: "The natural ice sheet will not remain the same."
These natural glaciers are not as durable as they appear. Due to melting, several voids form beneath the ice sheet, and because of those voids, collapse occurs in the upper layers. This situation occurs during people's travels and poses a serious risk. No one should go on the ice at all because the bottom is full of cavities created by melting.
Bodur also said the impact of global warming has increased over the past five years, and continued, "We are seeing the melting very clearly. The area of natural glaciers has decreased by 20 to 30 percent in the last 10 years. However, the water in the glacial lakes formed on the slopes has increased considerably."
