'Turkey's Maldives' Salda Lake under threat of development

Müzeyyen Yüce / DUVAR

Turkey's Salda Lake, which is known as the 'Maldives of Turkey' for its lush, blue waters and serene, natural environment. Though the lake was designated a protected area by a presidential decree earlier this year, experts say that a zoning plan designed by the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning threatens zone half of the protected area for development. 

The Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning's zoning plan was in a suspension phase between July 10 and Aug. 9, however prior to the end of the suspension period on July 31, the Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKİ) held a tender for a park to be built in the area. 

Lawsuit from the locals

Area locals and the Chamber of Architects filed a lawsuit in a regional administrative court to cancel the tender, though the court said it did not have the authority to oversee the matter, and the suit was sen to an administrative court in Ankara. At the same time, locals have filed a separate lawsuit in a regional administrative court to halt the zoning plan, with lawyers arguing that holding the tender prior to the plan's finalization is illegal. 

A statement from the Antalya branch of the Chamber of Landscape Architects, who filed the lawsuit in order to cancel the zoning plan, said that the plan could result in the development of 140 square kilometers of the 295 square kilometer protected area around Salda Lake, as that 140 square kilometer area was designated a “special project area.”

In September, First Lady Emine Erdoğan visited Salda Lake, commented on its beauty and said that she would recommend that everyone visit it and that they would be able to see the area's pelicans. However, she also said that a parking lot with a 500-600 meter capacity could be built, as well as small restaurants and shower areas. 

“However, of course these places would be build from wood or stone without harming the area or ruining the image, according to the information we received. I trust our minister and I congratulate him” Erdoğan said.