Kurdish nomadic families begin seasonal migration to winter pastures in Iran

Approximately 2,300 Kurdish nomadic households from the North Khorasan and Razavi Khorasan provinces have started their seasonal migration to winter pastures in northeastern Iran's Golestan province.

These families will remain in the region until mid-May to graze their livestock in milder winter conditions. The Department of Nomadic Affairs in Golestan says the families are settling in seasonal grazing areas across the counties of Maraveh Tappeh, Kalaleh, and Gonbad-e Kavus. These grazing areas cover about 350,000 hectares.

Mohammad-Sadeq Arab-Qaeini, the director general of the provincial Department of Nomadic Affairs, noted that the families use three main traditional migration corridors known as Khashtali, Qazanqayeh, and Shalmi. Local authorities and various government agencies are working together to provide safety and essential services along the routes and at the winter settlements. These services include drinking water, flour, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas, and livestock feed. One nomadic union, eight cooperative companies, and 12 retail outlets are helping to distribute these goods.

Recent heavy rains damaged 180 kilometers of the 350 kilometers of roads that nomadic communities use for their journey. Arab-Qaeini stated that the government has arranged for construction contractors to repair these damaged sections of the road network.