Submitted by
Şafak.arslan
on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 10:18
General Information
Resolution
49156
IUCN Constituent
Doğa Derneği (BirdLife Turkey)
IUCN Constituent type
IUCN Member organisation
Period covered
Geographic scope
Country
Country/Territory
Türkiye
II. Implementation
Activities carried out to implement this Resolution
Activity
Policy influencing/advocacy
Description and results/achievements of activities:
Lake Marmara and Gediz Delta are vital wetland ecosystems and Key Biodiversity Areas in Türkiye, including migratory birds such as flamingos and other threatened wetland species. These areas are critical for maintaining biodiversity and providing ecological services, including water purification and flood control. However, both ecosystems face significant threats from anthropogenic activities, including agricultural development and industrial projects. In response, we have actively engaged in legal actions to protect these areas, focusing on preserving their natural water flows and preventing harmful developments.
Status
On-going
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken
As a result of our legal efforts, we successfully overturned decisions that would have led to the conversion of Lake Marmara into agricultural land, which would have significantly disrupted its ecological balance. In November 2024, the court annulled the protocol between the General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM) and the Ministry of Agriculture, effectively halting the conversion plans. Additionally, in the Gediz Delta, we challenged a geothermal energy project that threatened key habitats for flamingos and other endangered species. The court ruled in our favour, nullifying the decision of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation, and Climate Change to exempt the project from Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), thus safeguarding the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the delta. These legal victories represent significant progress in our ongoing efforts to protect these critical wetlands in the face of climate change and human activity.
Report status
Published
Constituent type
IUCN Member