'Northern Forests dynamited despite the decision to cease operations'

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The Northern Forests Defense has released a statement regarding the Burhanettin Soğancılar Quarry, which has continued to operate despite the "decision to cease activity" and destroyed the Northern Forests as well as the Ancient Roman Waterway in İstanbul's Çatalca.

The statement of the Northern Forests Defense has said that despite the decision to stop the operations, the excavators continue to work, as seen in the photographs taken from the region. Noting that it will follow up the situation, the platform has briefly stated the following: 

'They are dynamiting the Kalfaköy region'

"Our forests are riddled with mines, stone and sand quarries; death pits that are reminiscent of craters on the lunar surface are opened in the midst of life. 'Burhanettin Soğancılar - İR: 72635' Stone Quarry has been dynamiting the Kalfaköy region in the Northern Forests. Excavation continues in the huge crater that they have opened.

• Moreover, they are doing it in the middle of the Northern Forests, which are the home of many animal species, where the villagers make a living and through which İstanbul breathes.
• Moreover, they do it by damaging the unique 1700-year-old water transmission line of Thrace, which was left from Ancient Rome and was also benefited by the Ottoman Empire.
• Moreover, they do so despite the determination of the conservation board of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism that 'some part of the historical waterway has been destroyed, and some of it has been ruined by illegal excavations.'
• Moreover, they do so despite the board's protection order and the decision to file a criminal complaint against the company.
• Moreover, they do so despite the 37 village local authorities of the Çatalca region and the Defense of Northern Forests filing a criminal complaint to the Çatalca Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
• Moreover, they do so despite the İstanbul Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization, who stated that they are working outside the area specified in the "Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not Required" decision, and decided to close the quarry with the approval of the Governor's Office.

"Digger hits the Ancient Roman Waterway"

"Despite the decision to cease the operations, it was documented in the photos taken from the region that the construction machines continued to operate. From here, we call out to all authorized official institutions, especially the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization: What else needs to happen for this destruction to stop?

"The digger struck on the Ancient Roman Waterway, which is unique in the world, inevitably raises the question of the citizens: Are the material interests of the individuals even above the nature of the country, the villagers, historical values, and cultural heritage?

"It was a big mistake to approve the operation of the mine. This mistake was the beginning of a process that has eventually turned into a crime. Why not prevent the company that continues to work by breaking the law and discrediting the state institutions?

"We call on the General Directorate of Forestry, the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, and the Governor's Office of İstanbul to act and fulfill their obligations in line with the decision made.

"We demand that those responsible for the continuing business and those who neglect the implementation and supervision of the decision be penalized immediately." (AÖ/DCE/SD)