Local people are confronting a private company which is trying to increase its capacity without an environmental impact assessment report in a lignite mine in Muğla province, western Turkey.
Villagers in Mugla province started a vigil action in order to save forest trees. Their action disrupted a private company’s plan to cut the trees in Akbelen forests.
DESTRUCTION STOPPED
In a statement the villagers stated that “a petition was submitted to the Milas Forest Management Directorate to stop the forest destruction, but no response has yet been received. However, on April 23, the cutting of trees was stopped as a result of our attempts.”
The villagers demanded that the petition they submitted to the General Directorate of Forestry be answered urgently and reminded them that protecting the forests is their main legal duty.
"OUR STRUGGLE IS COMMON"
The villagers also showed solidarity with nature vigil in İkizdere region of Rize in northern Turkey. "We salute the people who defend trees, birds and streams of İkizdere and nature with feelings of solidarity from our İkizköy,” they said.
WHAT HAPPENED
Yeniköy Enerji, a private company, is trying to increase its capacity without an environmental impact assessment report in a lignite mine, which was transferred to the private sector in 2014. The company is planning a deforestation campaign in the 600 acres of natural red pine forest in Akbelen, İkizköy region to be allocated to the mine. Residents applied to the court in December last year. The court board finally decided to conduct an exploration and expert examination at the İkizköy Lignite Enterprise. The date of examination and the expert team is expected to be determined.
