Environmental impact assessment report approved for Kanal Istanbul

The environmental impact assessment for the controversial Kanal Istanbul project has been approved, Minister of Environment and Urbanization Murat Kurum said. The project has caused a public outcry due to its environmental effects on the local fauna and flora and for its consequences in a potential earthquake. Istanbul residents formed lines at the Provincial Environment and Urbanization Directorate to object to what President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan calls his dream.

Friday January 17 2020 03:35 pm

Duvar English

The environmental impact assessment report has been approved for the "crazy project" Kanal Istanbul despite nationwide protests, Minister of Environment and Urbanization Murat Kurum said Jan. 17.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's "dream,"The Kanal Istanbul project aims to create an artificial canal that will effectively divide Thrace in two.

The project has been heavily criticized for disrupting the local flora and fauna, for having destructive consequences in a potential earthquake and for changing local wind drafts to exacerbate the climate crisis.

The final environmental impact assessment report was released to the public on Dec. 23, 2019 for a 10-day public review period, resulting in Istanbul residents flocking to the Provincial Environment and Urbanization Directorate to file appeals to the project.