They are crushing nature with stones!

Ada ATAK

Silivri, which also encompasses parts of Istanbul's northern forests, a source of water and oxygen, is surrounded by quarries. Locals claim there are eight active quarries in the area, while environmental impact assessment data indicates that 17 mining projects have been approved in the last 10 years. Furthermore, companies are reportedly looking to expand existing quarries and plan new drilling in the region.

The ecological heritage and ancient waterway in Danamandıra Village, in the Silivri district, continue to be destroyed by the recent increase in quarrying. While numerous quarries surround the historic water channel line built in the 4th and 5th centuries, the expansion of these quarries has also raised concerns among locals.

According to villagers, the Aksantaş quarry, which has been operating for many years and covers an area of 200 hectares, has taken action to expand its area by an additional 60 decares. After discovering an ancient Roman-era waterway in the area where the quarry intends to expand, villagers applied last year to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization's General Directorate of Natural Heritage Protection and the European Side Natural Heritage Protection Branch. In May, the Istanbul Cultural Heritage Preservation Board decided to include a total of 100 meters of the waterway line within a protection zone: 50 meters to the right and 50 meters to the left. However, the fact that the 100-meter protected area is within the licensed area where the quarry will expand has spurred renewed action from local residents and environmental advocates. The village headman and citizens wrote a petition of objection, demanding the extension of the 100-meter protection strip to 150 meters and the cancellation of the license granted to the quarry. However, the Forest Management Directorate arrived at the site on August 10 to cut down the trees. The citizens, stating that the objection process was ongoing and that a decision had not yet been made, stopped the teams.

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The cave is in danger

Environmental volunteers came together to protest mining activities near the legendary Bırkleyn Caves, located at the intersection of the Bırkleyn Stream on the Bingöl -Diyarbakır highway.

Cuma Karaaslan, from Bingöl Environmental Volunteers, stated that mining operations would damage the natural structure, saying, "Every pickaxe that hits the region will damage this place."

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Blow to the olive garden

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has approved a limestone quarry project planned for construction in a forested area adjacent to olive groves in the Avdan neighborhood of Manisa 's Soma district. The Ministry has issued an "EIA Not Required/EIA Positive" decision for the project, planned for Soma Cement Mining Concrete Industry and Trade Inc.