'The surface of Mount Ida is more valuable than its gold'

In the Iliad, one of the most important texts in the history of civilization, Homer writes, "Zeus thundered from Mount Ida, sending a light to the Achaean army; when they saw the light, the Achaeans trembled and fear covered them all." It has long been said that Zeus—depicted in Greek mythology as the king of the gods—and other gods familiar from mythology watched the Trojan War, known to have taken place in present-day Çanakkale, from the peaks of Mount Ida (Kazdağları). Mount Ida is important not only in Greek mythology but also in Turkmen legends. The peak known today as Sarıkız is the place where a young girl of the same name, who was slandered, retreated into seclusion and "attained enlightenment." In short, Mount Ida is somewhat enchanted, regardless of the culture.

But perhaps more valuable than these stories and epics is the ecosystem of Mount Ida. While writing this article, I did some research. I was surprised by the richness of the flora and fauna that the region hosts, even though I visit the North Aegean frequently. I also learned that Mount Ida combines forest and sea air to create a gorge in Şahindere, thus turning it into one of the places with the highest oxygen levels in the world. Some sources even claim that Mount Ida is the second region with the cleanest air after the Alps. In other words, we are talking about a natural and cultural heritage that is extraordinarily valuable for those who live in these lands. Moreover, it is suitable for different forms of tourism for our country: nature, culture, and health tourism, ecotourism as a new form of tourism, and, due to the region it is located in, sea tourism...

However, in recent years, we have been talking about Mount Ida not because of these features, but because of the destruction caused by mining companies in the region. It has entered our agenda in this way again in recent days. First, let me provide some information... The report published by the TEMA Foundation in April 2020 defines the Mount Ida region as an area of 1,697,062 hectares covering the Biga Peninsula and the North Aegean. 76 percent of this area has been licensed to mining companies as part of various activities. This rate shows us that the entire region and its ecosystem are under great danger. Indeed, we all remember the destruction caused by the Canadian mining company Alamos to extract gold in the region, which is currently on the agenda due to trees being cut down for a mining project.

Still, perhaps it is necessary to remember more clearly. When you look at the news from 2018-2019, when the Canadian company was heavily debated, you often see statements made to calm the reactions. For example, the cyanide issue... At that time, as the debates intensified, the relevant ministry first stated that cyanide was not being used in the field. However, the company later said that cyanide would only be used in the final stage and added that it would definitely not harm the environment. The issue is not just cyanide. The number of trees cut down in the region also became a subject of debate; the felling, which TEMA calculated to be close to 200 thousand, was announced by the authorities as around 13 thousand. The company, trying to reduce the reactions, announced that it had paid money to the Ministry of Forestry for reforestation efforts. The company's CEO stated in an interview with the press, "Within six and a half years, this area will be replanted. Within 10 years, a little more will be done, and it will look like a forest again." More than 5 years have passed since these statements; we will all see exactly what the region will look like in a few years.

However, there is something else that needs to be said: In 2021, the Canadian company's licenses were canceled. Activists wanted the company to pay for the destruction caused. However, the company, which claimed it had suffered losses due to the canceled permits, had other plans. Alamos, which had to withdraw from the region in 2021, announced on its own website that it would sue Turkey. At that time, there was no positive response to the calls from civil society to begin restoration. Honestly, I have not come across any information about what happened afterward... But I don't think we would be wrong to say that nature was left with the destruction.

These days, we are seeing other news about this region. This time, tree felling has begun in Bayramiç for Cengiz Holding's Halilağa Gold and Copper mine project. Moreover, a new EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) report has been prepared after the court canceled the previous one, and the judicial process for this project has not yet been completed. Unfortunately, starting a project despite still waiting for a court decision has become a behavioral pattern that has almost turned into a custom in Turkey in recent years. There are reports on the internet that the number of trees expected to be cut down could be 1 million. In addition, experts state that the mine will also exploit the region's underground and surface waters. In short, we are facing the danger of an ecosystem being devastated. Of course, it does not stop there. Part of the project site is also listed as a 1st-degree archaeological site. In other words, our cultural heritage is at stake as much as our natural heritage. In recent days, both local residents and civil society representatives have been struggling to stop the work that has started in Bayramiç. This is a very justified struggle, not only for the local people but also against a possible ecocide and for future generations...

Final word: In a video I saw on social media, 65-year-old Zeynep Yıldırım, who lives in Hacıbekirler village, was saying that they have been struggling for years but could not make their voices heard. Actually, she was crying out. I wrote this article so that perhaps a few more people might hear the voice Zeynep Yıldırım has raised for Mount Ida... while trying to remember and remind everyone again that the surface of Mount Ida is much more valuable than what is underneath it.