In the forest fires that lasted for 9 days last year and shook everyone deeply, all nature lovers were united. Now the united ones are working for the preservation and protection efforts.

 

The fires that hit the southern coasts of Turkey in the summer of 2021, the record high temperatures, geographical conditions that made intervention difficult, fire area that rapidly expanded and the abruptly interrupted tourism season were etched in our minds. The memories of encountering a celebrity at the end of the fire hose, or coming across an old friend carrying food, and the moments in which the joy of rescuing a helpless animal were shared are still fresh.

 

After the fires in Marmaris, rehabilitation and debris removal works were initiated under the leadership of the Muğla General Directorate of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. In this process, nature lovers also rolled up their sleeves to create suitable areas for planting saplings in the areas where the debris removal works were completed. Currently, approximately 30 thousand saplings and seeds have met the soil so far with the donations of public institutions as well as non-governmental organizations, and the broad participation of various associations, forest workers and volunteers from the local community. The sapling planting works, which had ended with the warming of the weather, will continue.

This year, after heavy rains in the winter months, especially in İçmeler and Turunç areas, there were also strong floods due to the intense mud formation from the forest. Apart from material damage, mud-induced negative effects were also observed on the sea floor in the analyzes made. It is foreseen that such negative situations may keep occurring until the areas exposed to fire regain their natural flora.

 

Despite everything, the time for healing and re-sharing its enchanting beauty with us is approaching for Marmaris, which was injured by forest fires after the global pandemic and left behind two years full of material and spiritual difficulties as a tourism region.

 

PHOTOS: Marmaris Nature Volunteers