Over 19,500 trees to be cut down for limestone quarry construction in Turkey

A limestone quarry project in Turkey is expected to cut down thousands of trees and threaten nearby animal farms, as well as underground water reserves. Local environmental defenders noted that local water reserves supply water for Istanbul as well.

Monday October 25 2021 02:30 pm

Deniz Çil / DUVAR

Plans for a limestone quarry in the Koruköy district of the Central Anatolian province of Kırıkkale foresees the cutting of 68,000-hectares worth' of trees to operate.

Some 19,526 trees are expected to be cut down for the project, and animal farms are located some 450 meters from the planned quarry location.

The quarry is expected to operate for 40 years with an average annual production of 1,750,000 tons of limestones, but will inflict decades' long environmental peril, Trakya Platform Kırklareli spokesperson Göksal Çidem said.

"It won't help to plant fifteen times the number of trees let alone five times once the natural balance is broken," Çidem noted. "It would take decades to create the same ecosystem."

Nearby farms that will be affected by the quarry also provide their water from local underground reserves, and any pollution or contamination of the water would endanger hundreds of animals, Çidem added.

"The animal farming here is a crucial source of income for the locals," the spokesperson said, noting that an impediment of the farming activities would cause a great loss of revenue for locals.

Water reserves near the location of the limestone quarry also supply city water for Istanbul, the spokesperson added, noting that they're really defending the living spaces of the whole population.