Environmental struggles resonate in a world where the effects of the climate crisis are felt more and more every day. Natural and archaeological sites in many parts of Turkey were also destroyed in line with the wishes of the capital. Citizens who opposed the approvals given by the AKP government resisted in many places. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, one of the founding purposes of which is to prevent environmental pollution and ensure the protection of the environment and nature, approved the projects without slowing down in 2024. According to the Ministry’s data, this year the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process was initiated for 4 thousand 739 projects. Meanwhile, the decision “EIA is not required” was given to 3,791 projects, which does not require the preparation of a comprehensive EIA report, while the EIA of 664 projects was approved.
THE COUNTRY IS SURROUNDED BY MINERAL
In this process, applications were made to the ministry for 1577 mines. During the year, 1274 mines were declared “EIA not required” and 108 mines were deemed “EIA positive”. In addition, Truva Bakır, affiliated with Cengiz Holding, the company of Mehmet Cengiz, one of the favorite businessmen of the government, started mining operations in Çanakkale Bayramiç, located in the Kaz Mountains. It is stated that, despite all the objections of the villagers and life advocates, the company that cuts trees in the area will cut down 1 million trees. In addition, another disaster occurred at the site of Canadian Anagold Madencilik, which has been operating in Erzincan İliç since 2008 and has mixed cyanide poison into the Euphrates River in recent years. On February 13, nine workers lost their lives when the cyanide leach pile in the area shifted. The lifeless body of the first worker was unearthed months later. The Ministry announced that the activities were stopped, but the company continues its efforts to return.
THREE APPLICATIONS FROM KOZA
Koza Altın, which was transferred to the Treasury and appointed trustee in 2015 after Akın İpek was tried for FETO, and was transferred to the Wealth Fund in the past months, continued its work this year. While the company applied for three mines this year alone, it received “EIA is not required” approval for 13 of its projects.
65 CAMPAIGN CLIMATE
In 2024, signature campaigns were launched on change.org within the scope of the climate crisis and fight. According to the Production Economics Association & Change.org Turkey Climate Program 2024 Evaluation Report, 65 new climate campaigns were launched this year and 584 thousand 197 signatures from all campaigns demanded change from the authorities to combat the climate crisis and achieve carbon neutrality. While there were positive developments regarding the demands of 27 campaigns, campaigners met directly with 54 different decision makers in total and delivered the signatures of 19 campaigns to the authorities.
HOTELS DID NOT STOP
Hotel projects that led to coastal occupations, were built within national parks, and ignored archaeological sites also continued. While steps were taken for 183 hotel projects, 164 projects were approved. Among these, Cengiz İnşaat’s project in Cennet Bay in Muğla Bodrum was also included. Cengiz, who started working in the field despite all the struggles of the citizens, also received approval for the capacity increase. With this approval, Cengiz increased the number of units to 186. The capacity of the tourist facility was 556 people. Sinpaş GYO’s work continues in the area within the Marmaris National Park. Life advocates stated that the hotel project, whose zoning status certificate was recently annulled by the court, continues.
MURAT KURUM BRAGGED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AMNESTY
Murat Kurum, who was the minister of environment, urbanization and climate change between 2018 and 2023, returned to the ministry after failing to win the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) against Ekrem İmamoğlu. The Institution, which was appointed upon the resignation of Mehmet Özhaseki, citing his health problems, has a “bad record.” According to reports, the number of mining licenses, which was 106 thousand 465 between 2010 and 2018, increased to 386 thousand in 8 years. Companies such as Koza Altın, Zenit Madencilik, Tümad Madencilik and Esan Madencilik started to operate gold mines in many parts of Turkey. The Institution was sitting in its seat at the time when nature massacres were approved. Among these, there were areas such as Akbelen Forest, Aydos Forest, Salda Lake, Kaz Mountains and Cennet Bay. In addition, with the decision published in the Official Gazette with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2018, building registration certificates were issued for 6 million houses within the scope of zoning amnesty. The Institution, which took office after this decision, announced that seven million people benefited from the amnesty. The institution made a statement: “The zoning peace does not mean ‘the structures included in the zoning peace are solid and not risky’.” The institution also stated, “The construction amnesty is our citizens’ peace with the state.” The construction amnesty granted came to the agenda especially after the February 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş.
Source: www.cumhuriyet.com.tr
