Ombudsman application for dried lake in Marmara
Photo : Doğa Association
Click to read the article in Turkish
Lake Marmara, an alluvial barrier lake with a size of 6,000 hectares and a bird sanctuary in Gölmarmara, Manisa, in western Turkey, has lost 98 percent of its surface area in the past decade due to bad agricultural and water policies.
Doğa Association applied to the ombudsman to reveal the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in the drying up of the lake.
In the application, it was noted that Marmara Lake is a Wetland of National Importance and should be protected according to the Ramsar Convention.
"The Public Administration's approach should change regarding nature and envrironment" the statement said, "They should let the water flow to the lake from the channels, streams that feed the lake"
98 percent of the lake dried up
"Marmara Lake is one of the rare wetlands with its biological and cultural values and the lake is also an important habitat and feeding area for birds."
"It is one of 184 important bird areas in Turkey. Until recently, approximately 65 thousand water birds were observed in the lake during the winter months. The lake with the status of an 'important nature area', was also a habitat for endemic fish species in Turkey.
"However, from 2011 to 2021, 98.18 percent of the lake's surface area was destroyed due to bad agricultural and water policies."
According to the statement, the drying up of the lake destroyed not only biodiversity but also had negative effects on the socio-economic life, especially for cooperative fisheries.
"Some fishermen and their families had to migrate from the area as the lake dried up."
"A first in Turkey"
Attorney Cem Altıparmak, the legal consultant of the Doğa Association, said, "The drying up of Marmara Lake due to the wrong policies of the Public Administration deepens the negative consequences of the climate crisis."
"Our application to the Ombudsman Institution for the ending of these wrong policies is very important. It is first in Turkey."
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About Lake Marmara Recognized as an Important Bird Area, Lake Marmara hosts as many as 65,000 water birds in winter. Nine percent of all dalmatian pelicans in the world spend the winter in the lake. The drying of the lake threatens the vulnerable pelicans, as well as other birds. Lake Marmara is also an Important Natural Area and has two endemic fish species, which are also endangered due to the drying |
(TY/TB)