Marmara Lake, which was registered as a Wetland of National Importance in 2017 according to the Regulation on the Protection of Wetlands, has been drying up in the past 10 years due to improper planning and practices in agricultural policies and water management. Non-governmental organizations called decision makers in Manisa, the State Hydraulic Works and authorized institutions.
Marmara Lake is one of the 184 Important Bird Areas and 305 Important Natural Areas in Turkey. Until last year, 65% of the world population of the crested pelican species, which is close to endangerment, was fed in the lake, where approximately 9 waterfowl were seen during the winter months. The Marmara Lake Wetland was a habitat for fish species endemic to the lake and Turkey. However, in the 2011-year period from 2021 to 10, 98% of the surface area of the lake was destroyed due to improper planning and applications, especially the excessive use of underground and surface waters.
Money is demanded from fishermen in the dried lake.
Fishing was an important source of income for the people living around the lake. With the drying up of the lake, some families who made their living from fishing had to migrate. The Gölmarmara and Surrounding Fisheries Cooperative, operating in the lake, has not been able to fish since 2019 because the lake has dried up. However, since the Cooperative has a water rental agreement, a total of 391.000 TL debt is deducted, consisting of items such as occupation rent, tax, and accounting. Rafet Keser, Member of the Board of Directors of the Gölmarmara and Surrounding Fisheries Cooperative, said in a statement, “Our Marmara Lake has dried up, nature is disappearing, our fish are exhausted. We have not been able to fish since August 2019. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Manisa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry requests the occupation money of the lake for the years 2020 and 2021. He wants the money of the fish of the lake, which is not from us. The lake should be restored as soon as possible. For this, we demand from the authorities to give water to the lake from Gördes Dam and Ahmetli Stream and to clear our debts. We don't want to leave our village to make a living." said.
Water should be released into Marmara Lake from Gördes Dam and Ahmetli Stream
The water of Gördes Stream, the main source of the lake, is kept in Gördes Dam. Three canals were built to feed Marmara Lake with surface waters. These are Kumçayı Diversion Canal, Adala Feeding Canal and Marmara Lake Feeding Canal. However, the water of these channels and Gördes Stream do not reach the lake.
Saying that water should be supplied to the lake from Gördes Dam and Ahmetli Stream in order for the lake to regenerate rapidly, Doğa Association Chairman Tuba Kılıç Karcı said, “As in all Anatolia, Marmara Lake in Manisa is being destroyed by wrong water and agricultural policies. State Hydraulic Works constantly interferes with the water regime of the lake. It is necessary to act immediately to restore the lake to its former state. We invite all officials, especially Manisa, to duty. If water is not released and urgent measures are not taken, the biodiversity and ecosystem in Marmara Lake, one of the important wetlands of the Inner Aegean, will be irreparably destroyed. People living here will have to migrate and another culture will disappear.” said.
Be the first to comment