Wednesday, April 6, 2011

ISTANBUL – Radikal

Turkish environmentalists concerned over a variety of natural issues, such as hydroelectric power plants, damaged forest lands, mines, dams and genetically modified products, have decided to start a protest walk that will end in Ankara

This map shows the direction of the rally, which was planned by environmentalists. Radikal photo

A group of environmentalists is planning to walk across Anatolia to raise awareness of what they call the unprecedented destruction of a region known as the cradle of human civilization. The rally, metaphorically called “40 days and 40 nights’ walk,” will end in Ankara.

The “Great Anatolian Walk” which was organized under the slogan “We will give [anyone] Anatolia,” started on April 2 in the Black Sea province of Artvin. The eastern Black Sea caravan will be followed by other caravans throughout Turkey. A Mesopotamia caravan started to walk from Hasankeyf in the Southeast, while an East Mediterranean caravan, which was accompanied by one of Turkey’s last nomadic tribes, the Sarıkeçililer, on their camels, will be the eastern part of the rally. Another caravan from the western Mediterranean, decorated horse carriages and prepared to hit the road from the Aegean district of Bodrum, while the north Aegean caravan will start from İzmir. The south Aegean caravan, the caravan of Thrace, will meet environmentalists in Istanbul. The western Black Sea group will join the rally starting from the Loç Valley. The Central Anatolia Caravan will start to walk from the Avanos district.

According to the plan, the group will walk through valleys, villages and cities. Different teams from different provinces along the way will participate. The walk, which was reportedly not linked to any institution, was organized by individual through voluntarily efforts.

Organizers said the walk is open to everyone. It targets the repeal of the draft law on protection of biodiversity, and the halt of hydroelectric power plant and dam construction, which organizers said has caused all the rivers to be sold.

The group also targeted more than 40,000 mines, which they said would destroy the mountains. According to the environmentalists, the government should cancel their licenses. The group also urged the government to stop activities and regulations that have destructive effects on nature, to suspend nuclear energy projects and to withdraw “draft 2-B,” a development proposal they said would destroy the forests.

Birhan Alakir from the Mediterranean leg of the walk said where there is an attack against living resources, culture and nature and the law still does not work, the opinions of scientists on this issue are not listened to and the daily actions and activities of the platforms, various associations and NGOs do not give any results, the people should take the initiative into their own hands. “We will walk across Anatolia, because our words have failed,” he said.

Another activist, Sinan Akçal, from the Black Sea branch, said he is walking against the plunder of the eastern Black Sea region’s streams and forests.

“Birds, insects, bears and jackals do not have a language or lawyer like us,” said Akçal, adding that he will walk to protect the rights of these creatures. He said he would not turn back until officials give back the old Black Sea back to them.

(Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com )