Coal mine project threatening agriculture in Antalya not permitted by authorities

(Photos: A Platform)

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Antalya Agricultural Land Protection Committee has not approved a coal mine project in Dereköy Plateau in Antalya's Korkuteli district.

In a meeting held at the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, eight out of 11 institutions' representatives rejected the proposal for the project.

CLICK - Coal mine in Antalya might destroy feeding area for thousands of sheep and goats

Locals, village heads and environmental defenders, who were also at the directorate during the meeting, said, "We will continue to strive until the struggle is fully won."

The Turkuaz Lignite Coal Inc. was previously granted an operating license in Dereköy. 600 acres of the land was owned by locals.

Against the project, locals and environmentalists in January submitted petitions to authorities, including Korkuteli Sub-Governor's Office, Antalya Governor's Office, the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

The coal mine would hinder agriculture and animal husbandry in the area where thousands of families live.

Sheep and goats in the plateau are fed only with grass for nine-and-a-half months in a year, according to a report by the Antalya Isparta Burdur Denizli Kaş Platform (A Platform).

Also, agriculture is an important means of income in Dereköy as thousands of tons of apricot, sour cherry, peach, plums, wheat and chickpeas are produced in nearly 10 hectares of fields in various villages in the area.

(TP/VK)