Road construction plans over flamingo sanctuary in Turkey's west stir debate

Turkish environmentalists have condemned plans to construct a road that will pass through the nature reserve of the Gediz Delta, one of the most important sites for the breeding of flamingoes in the country.

Some 20,000 flamingoes have come to the area in the western province of İzmir for the past nine years to breed as a result of a protocol carried out jointly by the Forestry and Water Affairs Ministry, İzmir Municipality, non-governmental organizations and academics.

A protocol signed between the Conservation and Development Union of the İzmir Bird Sanctuary (İZKUŞ) and the ministry's General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks in 2008 was not renewed by the ministry after it ended four months ago. 

Joint efforts were being carried out in line with the protocol and projects, including the creation of the world's biggest horizontal flamingo island. 

The number of flamingoes arriving in the area has increased year by year with the help of preservation efforts and the construction of flamingo nests by academics, NGOs, authorities and volunteers. The number of flamingoes totaled 20,000 this year. 

However, the cancellation of the protocol has prompted mutual accusations on the part of İzmir Municipality and the ministry. The ministry has accused the municipality of not fulfilling its responsibilities in the area and not making investments, while the municipality has blamed the ministry for acting arbitrarily. 

The cancellation of the protocol has also paved the way for the construction of a road. 

İzmir Mayor and İZKUŞ head Aziz Kocaoğlu said the total amount spent on the İzmir Bird Sanctuary had reached 26 million Turkish Liras. 

"Ignoring all the efforts spent on the bird...