These days, wherever we turn, there’s either a hotel construction or a mining project in sight. The entire country is seemingly trapped under a concrete invasion. Even the last remaining green spaces have become targets for profit-driven corporations and political powers. And it’s not just nature that’s under pressure — the people living in these areas are feeling the heat too.
Nature Sounds the Alarm in Muğla
Muğla’s crown jewel, the district of Bodrum, has become less of a holiday destination and more of a giant construction site. Hotels and villas keep springing up, and mining projects are spreading across the region like wildfire. One of the latest examples is from Limak Group. The company plans to build a five-star hotel right on a public beach in Bodrum’s Kızılağaç area. To ease the way for construction, they even secured a decision stating “No Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) needed.” But villagers and environmental groups are fighting back — the court’s verdict is expected soon.
A Project in Every Corner, Destruction at Every Turn
In Gölköy neighborhood of Bodrum, another hotel project is underway. Akfen Real Estate Investment Company is expanding its existing resort, adding more rooms and piers. The government wasted no time greenlighting the project; the EIA process is already underway, and land allocation has been approved.
Meanwhile in Turgutreis, a Coast Guard Port project is moving ahead. Even though the Council of State has yet to give a ruling, construction has already started. Legal process? It’s been pushed aside in favor of bulldozers.
Protected Natural Sites Quietly Downgraded
In Bodrum’s Göl neighborhood, the protection status of first- and second-degree natural conservation areas has been quietly reduced. Coincidentally — or not — major construction projects by companies like Cengiz Holding and a hotel project owned by the family of the Minister of Tourism are planned right next door. The connection is hard to ignore.
Mayor of Bodrum: “Construction Is Choking Tourism”
Bodrum’s Mayor, Tamer Mandalinci, is speaking out against this ongoing destruction. He warns that tourists won’t return if all they see are dump trucks and construction zones. The town, once known for its fishing and eco-tourism, has shifted entirely toward construction. According to Mandalinci, this obsession with profit is damaging the town’s economy and its future.
Marmaris Under Similar Pressure
Marmaris is no different. Public bays are being handed over to private interests. Halime Şaman, spokesperson for the Marmaris Urban Policies Association, says: “Everything is being taken away from the people. Bays, marinas, hotels… These big companies act like they’re bringing civilization, but life already existed here.”
The Sinpaş Kızılbük project in İçmeler is one of the most controversial examples. Courts have annulled dozens of permits, yet construction continues. The company is now eyeing the sea — a new 21,000 square meter “coastal development and yacht docking” project is in motion. Despite court rulings, the Ministry of Environment has started the EIA process again.
Selimiye and Karacasöğüt: The Next Battlegrounds
In Selimiye Bay, located in the Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area, plans are underway to build a 145-yacht marina. The public has shown strong opposition. Karacasöğüt Bay is facing a similar fate, with projects proposed by both MUÇEV (a controversial public-private entity) and private companies. Despite being located in a first-degree archaeological site, a court recently ruled that there was “no legal violation.” This has deeply shaken public trust.
The People Resist, But They’re Left Alone
Across Turkey, people are standing up to defend their environment and living spaces. But they face serious obstacles — both from wealthy corporations and from the bureaucratic machinery of the state. Legal resistance is becoming more difficult with rising court fees, expert report costs, and frequent rejections.
Nature shouldn’t be sacrificed for the greed of a few. Bays, forests, and water sources are not only today’s treasures — they are the inheritance of future generations. This is not just an environmental issue; it’s about the right to life, justice, and collective conscience.
