LAKE ACARLAR FLOODED FOREST UNDER PROTECTION
Recently the nightmare of climate change and global warming has begun to threaten Lake Acarlar Flooded Forest as it has all of Turkey’s wetlands and water resources. It must be said however that the threat to the flooded forest goes back much earlier. For ten years now various protection efforts have been under way against all the problems that are encountered here. As a first step, Lake Acarlar Flooded Forest was declared a First Class Natural Area in 1998 in a report compiled by the Environmental and Woodlands Protection Society of Turkey (TÜRÇEK). Then, between 2004 and 2007, the same society conducted a series of studies for the purpose of outlining the environmental problems threatening the area, developing criteria for sustainable use of the site, and raising the awareness of the local people regarding it. The environmental characteristics and importance of the site were explained to locals of all ages through informative talks, and their attention and that of the local authorities was drawn to its natural beauty, thereby ensuring that they appreciate the value of the treasure on which they live. Later, an unused school building in the village of Karamüezzin immediately adjacent to the flooded forest was repaired in cooperation with the local people and opened as the Acarlar Flooded Forest Educational Center. Students come for the day to the center, where they not only avail themselves of theoretical education in environmental matters but can also engage in field studies.
Acarlar was selected as an extension of the Biological Diversity and Natural Resources Project (GEF II) being carried out by the Turkish Ministry of Forestry and Environment, and World Bank funding was secured for the purpose. Work is currently under way in the region. The support of the World Bank is especially important for promoting the area and establishing a balance between protection and use.
Prevention of further environmental degradation in Lake Acarlar Flooded Forest is still possible today. But there remains a constant need for support and further efforts in order that already lost environmental assets be replaced and the gains made up to now not be lost.
