Blue Tunnels Cannot Save the Konya Basin!

Category: ENERGY AGENDA - Date: August 23, 2025

Despite receiving the least rainfall in Türkiye, the Konya Basin is one of the regions with the highest water consumption. While 80 percent of the basin's agricultural land is irrigated, only 20 percent is dryland. This increases reliance on groundwater. Groundwater reserves are rapidly depleting due to intensive underground pumping and unregulated irrigation methods. This is increasing the risk of sinkholes and drying up many wetlands and lakes.

Instead of controlling water consumption in the basin and supporting high-value dry agricultural products, a second transmission line, known publicly as the "Blue Tunnel," is being built to transport water from outside the basin. These tunnels do not provide a long-term solution.

It is not only fertile agricultural lands that are lost, but also biodiversity.

The Konya Closed Basin contains twenty-five Key Natural Areas. One of these, Lake Tuz, is the last lake in Central Anatolia where flamingos breed. However, due to climate change, illegal wells, and increased water use for agricultural irrigation, flamingo chick mortality varies annually. Surrounding shallow lakes like Tersakan and Kulu also experience drought almost throughout the year.

The water that these ecosystems deserve is primarily used in agricultural areas. Uncontrolled water consumption leads to the drying up of wetlands and the loss of biodiversity.

Urgent steps are needed to preserve the natural balance of the Konya Closed Basin and prevent further crises in the future. The Doğa Association advocates for supporting agricultural techniques and local knowledge systems suited to the basin's arid climate and desertification.

Drought and Desertification Are Coming

According to a United Nations report for July 2025, 88 percent of Türkiye is at risk of desertification and is in danger of falling into the "water-poor" category by 2030. The report projects a 30 percent decrease in precipitation and a 4 to 5 degree increase in temperatures in Türkiye by the end of the 21st century.

On the other hand, according to the data of the State Hydraulic Works, sectoral water use for 2022 is 44 billion m3 (77 percent) for irrigation, 13 billion m3 (23 percent) for drinking, utility and industry, and total water use is 57 billion m3.

We need to abandon the idea of ​​water being considered an endless resource as soon as possible.

Dicle Tuba Kılıç, Chair of the Nature Association Board of Directors, made a statement on the matter: “Turkey is still not ready for the drought, desertification, and water stress it will experience in the coming years. Our first step in adapting to the impacts of climate change must be to halt the loss of biodiversity and wetlands. We must abandon the notion of water as an infinite resource and develop an approach that redistributes the water cycle. The first step in developing policies compatible with drought and desertification is agriculture. By promoting nature-based solutions in water management, dryland farming practices, and sustainable water policies, we can achieve both ecological and economic integrity. To achieve this, decision-makers need to collaborate with civil society and universities.”

Published by: Alperen ERTAŞ- [email protected]