Resistance against quarrying continues in Hatay: "Life cannot be compared to the cost"

A quarry opened in the Atik Plateau of Hatay 's Belen district threatens the health, fields, and gardens of local residents. After numerous appeals to authorities were unsuccessful, residents took the matter to court.

Speaking outside the court, local resident Köksal Terzi said, "There are areas 3-4 kilometers beyond the quarry, devoid of settlement or forest, with much larger stone reserves. Administrators say, 'If we go there, our costs will increase.'"

In Hatay, where the reconstruction process accelerated after the February 6 earthquakes, new quarries opened to meet the need for stone and concrete have become a topic of discussion.

The quarry established near the Atik Plateau in the Belen district has sparked a reaction from the local people because it is located right next to residential areas and agricultural areas.

Neighborhood residents, who repeatedly appealed to authorities, filed a lawsuit at the Hatay Administrative Court after failing to obtain results.

"THE QUARRY HAS MADE THIS AREA UNLIVABLE"

Speaking in front of the courthouse, local resident Köksal Terzi reminded that Halilbey Neighborhood and Atik Plateau were safe areas for earthquake victims due to their solid ground after the earthquake.

"The newly opened quarry has made this area uninhabitable. The cost of human life is incomparable," Terzi said. "The dust from this quarry is blowing into our homes, bedrooms, and kitchens on the wind," Terzi said, adding that the fruit trees in his garden have dried up and are unable to bear fruit.

Terzi stated that they submitted numerous petitions to the authorities and met with local administrators, but were only told, "These houses are being built and there is a need for stone." He also stated that although they told him that there were areas 3-4 kilometers from the quarry that were devoid of settlements and forests, but with much more stone reserves, they were met with the administrators' response, "If we go there, our costs will increase."

Köksal Terzi expressed his hope that the case would be concluded successfully and the quarry would be closed, adding that otherwise, two of Hatay's most beautiful plateaus would be destroyed.