Construction of concrete buildings resumes near Nemrut crater lake

Photo: AA/File

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The construction of concrete buildings near Nemrut Crater Lake and Caldera in the eastern province of Bitlis has resumed after it was halted due to public reactions.

The Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) Bitlis Provincial Organization has filed a criminal complaint against the construction at the Tatvan Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reported.

The construction by the Nature Protection and National Parks Regional Directorate of Van is illegal according to Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Natural and Cultural Assets, said DEVA Party's Bitlis Chair Burhan Aksoy.

Photo: MA

"Currently, only a toilet has been built in the protected area. But there are other structures in the current project such as an amphitheater, sitting areas and resting areas. They are recklessly and illegally building these crude, ugly and unaesthetic buildings," he said and added that the purpose of the construction was to provide unearned income "to some people."

The main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) Batman Chair Veysi Uyanık said they were deeply upset because of the construction.

Both politicians noted that commercial buildings might be constructed in the area soon.

Photo: NASA/Flickr

"We are against concrete construction in such a heaven. Because this is a first degree protected area," said Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Batman Chair Rumet Dursun.

"They don't have respect for the living beings, the deceased, the cultural heritage or nature," he said.

Nemrut lake is the world's second and Turkey's largest crater lake with a height of 2,250 meters. It received the "Excellence Award" within the scope of the European Distinguished Destinations Project (EDEN).(TP/VK)

(TP/VK)