The Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Antalya Provincial Coordination Board announced that despite the fact that Düden Waterfall and Stream is a Qualified Protected Area, it is of great importance to answer their questions about the covering with foam and the subsequent death of thousands of fish and to identify the sources that cause pollution in the region. He announced that they are always ready to contribute to the works so that the disaster experienced is not repeated and a permanent solution can be found.
The press release made by the TMMOB Antalya Provincial Coordination Board is as follows; “Environmental problems arise when people degrade the natural environment in which they live. Unfortunately, people also harm the environment in order to provide themselves with better living conditions. In the system we are in, the only area where we receive service without paying is our nature. For this reason, most of us owe our lives to him, even though we are not aware of it. We can repay this debt by leaving a more livable nature and healthy natural assets to future generations.
Among the damages to the environment, the most affecting human life is the damage to water.
Water… The most important factor in the existence of life, and therefore us. The most powerful weapon of civilizations throughout history, and sometimes a reason for war. Indispensable for our metabolism, the source of our life.
Water is life, water is a right, water is a natural asset, not a resource. Water, which has an important place among our natural assets, is under vital threat due to mismanagement, overuse, lack of legislation, climate change and pollution. First of all, we would like to underline that water is not a resource to be used, but an asset to be protected. We also know that our existing laws and regulations are not sufficient to protect the existence of water.
Düden, which constitutes one of the important water resources of Antalya, flows from Antalya's underground for 10 km and pours into the Mediterranean from Lara, presenting a fascinating visual feast. It has become a natural symbol for Antalya. The waterfall is surrounded by rich vegetation. Due to these natural features, Düden Waterfall and Stream have been registered as a "natural site-qualified natural protection area" by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization on 03 July 2020.
Düden Stream, which is one of our important water values, has experienced a serious pollution resulting in the death of thousands of fish these days when we talk about drought frequently. On January 11, 2021, it was revealed that there was a foaming and odor problem in the stream bed downstream of the Upper Düden Waterfall, this foaming and odor continued along the stream bed, and then fish deaths were observed in the region. Subsequently, the polluted water, which caused fish deaths in the water, reached the sea.
In the statements made by the Governor's Office; It has been reported that many enterprises in the region discharge their wastewater uncontrollably to the soil and underground, an administrative fine of 13 TL has been imposed on 2.901.628,00 enterprises, and the activities of 11 plants have been suspended. It is also useful to point out that; Fines alone are not enough of a deterrent. These businesses, which harm nature and therefore human life, need to be moved to the furthest points from water resources and our existing laws and regulations to protect water should be urgently overhauled.
DEAR MEMBERS OF THE PRESS,
As you know, the population growth rate of our city is above the Türkiye average. Rapid population growth; structuring, infrastructure problems, environmental pollution and uncontrolled industrialization bring about pressure on water resources. The fact that Düden Waterfall and Stream is a Qualified Conservation Area, but has to deal with pollution, shows that these pressures are not managed properly.
On our water resources; In order to minimize the negative effects of various pressures such as climate change, population growth, urbanization and industrialization, watershed management plans should be implemented in coordination with all institutions and professional chambers.
Due to the geological structure of the city, it has a weak tolerance for all kinds of pollution that will be discharged to the ground.
With the sensitivity that Antalya's drinking and utility water needs are met from groundwater, the urbanization process should be managed correctly and regular inspections should be made. There is a need to establish systems that will instantly detect a possible pollution and monitor the water quality.
Although it is observed that the Düden Stream is starting to return to normal physically, the problem has not been completely resolved. For this reason, we have questions that we expect to be answered;
- Have all unlicensed, environmental permits and licenses been identified in the region that may affect the Düden Stream?
- Have any audits been made to the audited businesses before?
- Since Düden Waterfall and Stream is a Qualified Natural Protection Area, are permanent measures taken against any pollution?
- Will inspections continue to be carried out on a regular basis?
- Has the root cause of the high concentration of pollution been identified?
- To what extent has the pollution affected the agricultural lands and are there researches on the possible harms to human health?
- What kind of work will be done to eliminate fish deaths and damage to the ecosystem?
Answering our questions is of great importance in determining the source and sources of pollution in the region.
In order to prevent such a pollution from happening again, it invites the authorities to make a statement about what measures they have taken and as TMMOB Antalya Provincial Coordination Board; As always, we inform the relevant institutions and the public that we are ready to contribute to the work to be carried out today so that this disaster is not repeated and a permanent solution can be found.
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