Forests to turn into concrete areas in several provinces in Turkey

With the decision published in the Official Gazette, approximately 1.1 million square meters of land in 11 provinces have been excluded from forest boundaries. Among these are areas in Ayazağa, Uskumruköy, Kilyos, and Başıbüyük in Istanbul; Sığacık in Izmir; and Akseki in Antalya.

The total area of these places is equivalent to 100 football fields.

According to the decision, Treasury lands at least twice the size of these areas will be allocated to the General Directorate of Forestry for afforestation. However, the decision does not include any provision stating that the allocated lands will be in the same city.

Dr. Ufuk Coşgun, a member of the Turkey Foresters Association, emphasized that it takes tens of thousands of years for an area to exist as a forest.