"They sacrifice Tatvan for rent and money"

The rapidly growing construction sector in Bitlis, province of Tatvan is changing the fabric of the district.

It is possible to see huge construction sites in Tatvan. The construction sites also threaten the lives of the people. Sefter Soylu, the chief of a construction site in Tatvan, explained the details of the suddenly growing construction industry.

Stating that the rapidly growing construction sector harms the ecology and nature, Soylu said: "Such a rapid construction not only damages the natural texture of the environment but will also causes many unforeseen problems in the future. Infrastructure works are very little, there is no serious work in terms of the environment and cleanliness of Lake Van. The population is increasing rapidly because of migration. In a quarter of a century, the nature of Tatvan and Lake Van will be destroyed at a fast pace."

A shopkeeper in Tatvan told ANF: "People who buy houses here are usually from outside. People from here stay in villages. Can the city be plundered like this for people who come only at certain times of the year?"

Another person from Tatvan said: "The whole crime is in the municipality. They should not give the right to build. They are sacrificing Tatvan for rent, for money."