Stay of execution for the stone quarry in Bolu’s Ayman Highland

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Resisting against the stone quarry planned to be opened in Bolu's Ayman Highland in western Turkey, villagers previously filed a lawsuit against the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs.

The court has given a decision of stay of execution for the production permit granted for the area where the quarry was to be opened.

In a written statement about this recent court decision, the villagers of the Ayman Highland have defined it as an important win for the Bolu mountains and forests, adding that "the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), a public institution, should prioritize the interests of the public, society, nature, forests and the wild animals who know these forests as their homes."

The villagers have further criticized the DSİ statement made in the wake of public reactions against the cutting of 150-200 trees on September 16 without the related judicial process being completed.

Noting that the statement was "full of incorrect information", they have said, "First of all, by saying that a stone quarry to be opened 500 meters away from the highland would not affect the life there and that there are no sheep pens, the DSİ makes the unrealistic statement itself."

Villagers have underlined that people have been doing animal husbandry in the related area for 500 years, emphasizing that this place is where villagers of the region have been grazing their sheep and the pens are right behind the area where the stone quarry is to be opened.

Referring to the DSİ statement, which has argued that "the stone quarry will be used for an agricultural irrigation project," the villagers have said, "We are not against an irrigation project that will contribute to the agriculture activities of our Bolu. We are against opening a stone quarry across our highland at a distance of 500 meters and cutting 1,500 trees for the stone quarry."

Recalling that there is another stone quarry 900 meters away from the area, villagers have asked the DSİ, "If there is a need for this, why don't you use the available stone quarry? Why do you want to commit a new massacre of trees-forests and open a new stone quarry?"

What happened?

Excavators entered the Ayman Highland in Bolu on August 24, 2021 for the stone quarry planned to be opened in the region. The villagers stood up in front of the excavators and stopped the works.

Villagers objected to the teams who went to the Ayman Highland in early morning. The teams, along with excavators, were poised to extract the stones to be used for a hydroelectric power plant planned to be constructed in Seben district. Villagers do not want a stone quarry to be opened on the highland in the Karaköse area; it is where they graze their cattle.

The village head and the Board of Village Society reportedly submitted a petition to the Governor's Office to stop the construction of the stone quarry. The villagers also said that they would petition the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Energy.

The Deputy Gendarmerie Regiment Commander also went to the highland and spoke to the villagers, according to reports.

The Deputy Commander reportedly said to the villagers, "If you prevent it, I will have all houses built after 2017 demolished. You are people from the highland, you are picnickers." Following these remarks, most of the villagers left the scene while a few villagers continued resisting.

On August 25, the excavation team started working in the pasture and forestland under the surveillance of the gendarmerie. (KÖ/SD)