The river pollution came to the agenda upon the Prime Minister Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the Minister of Environment Mr. Veysel Eroğlu led the acceleration of works of cleaning Ergene Basin. However, the high level of pollution causes discussions on whether these works will bring solution. The extending of problems in Ergene Basin mentioned to be cleaned upon the environment report issued in 2004 brought to the agenda to save the rivers at the beginning of this process at least.
In the Basin of Ergene which is one of our important rivers with its 194-kilometer length, there are 2037 factories most of which operate in textile sector. It is stated that the animals drinking water from the river are perished with the chemicals left by these factories. On the other hand, the pollution in Ergene, which is the sunflower and cereal store of Turkey and became an open sewage of Thrace Region affects the region negatively in every aspect. The Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, explained that the companies not in compliance with the report of “ÇED” will be subject to heavy sanctions and underlined that two facilities were closed up to now. According to the explanation provided by the Minister Veysel Eroğlu, fine amounting to TL 7 million was given to the enterprises in the region.
While it is romoured that especially the wastes coming from the region where textile factories and dyehouses are located greatly damages Ergene Basin, it started to occupy the agenda that, in Beyşehir Lake, the wastes to create pollution are disposed to the lake by the companies operating in textile and manufacturing industry. It is expected impatiently if the steps planned at the beginning of 2004 not taken in Ergene Basin up to now yet, will be taken for Beyşehir Lake that is in the process of pollution.
Beyşehir Lake is being Investigated and Industrial Institutions are Worried
Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) evaluates the past, today and future of Beyşehir Lake. ODTÜ and WWF held a meeting in order to discuss the problems of Beyşehir Lake and solution offers for protecting ecosystem functions and values provided by Beyşehir Lake, Turkey’s largest fresh water lake, and it basin as well as using it sustainably. Within the scope of the Protect on Researching the Sustainable Usage of Beyşehir Lake and Basin Ecosystem and Water Resources carried out in cooperation with WWF-Turkey and ODTÜ Biology, Civil Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, and Sociology departments, it is aimed to determine the basic sustainability principles to balance between protecting the ecosystem function, values and biological diversity of Beyşehir Lake and Basin, and economic development.
It is expected that water provision by some industrial institutions near the lake through artesian resources which occupies the agenda significantly will be evaluated as well. While it is discussed to install a counter to artesian water taken from underground, resending the polluted water is another aspect of the issue. Being a water-area with international importance thanks to its biological diversity, Beyşehir Lake is known to be a crucial area for Konya Closed Basin with the vital ecosystem “services” provided such as drinking water, agricultural irrigation and fishery. The lake that has a surface area approximately of 750 km2 is located in Kızıldağ and Beyşehir National Park Area.
In her statement, WWF-Turkey Environment Protection Manager Buket Bahar Dıvrak said that the ecological structure of the lake corrupted due to reasons such as pollution led by industry, and unconscious water drainage. Dıvrak said; “For resolving the problems and leaving the future generations a healthy and livable Beyşehir Lake Basin, protecting the lake and adapting sustainable usage principles should be the common responsibility of all parties”.
Water Used is Increasing and Resources are Decreasing in Turkey
It is stated that annual average rainfall is around 643 mm in Turkey. It corresponds to 501 billion cubic meters of water on average per year. On the other hand, while annual amount consumed by an individual is calculated as 1.500 cubic meters per year, it seems that it will be very difficult for Turkey to remain this level at 1.000 cubic meters in 2030. In terms of water used in industry and agricultural areas, it is expected that the consumption amount calculated as 40,1 billion cubic meters in 2003 will rise up to 112 billion cubic meters in total especially with the development of industry. Although many countries follow water protection policies globally and perform successful studies in this field, the fact that Turkey cannot even protect the current resources yet can be deemed as the indicator of problems to emerge in the future. In these days when water wars are discussed, the studies should be accelerated in this respect in Turkey.
