Natural areas in Kaş under threat of illegal construction: 17 thousand structures in 10 years

Increasing illegal construction in many parts of Turkey is also threatening natural areas. A similar threat is being experienced in Kaş. Journalist Yusuf Yavuz, in a post on his social media account, showed the demolition of an illegal villa with a pool built on a natural protected area and used striking expressions.

Yavuz wrote the following:

They built an illegal villa with a pool on a 1st-degree natural protected area belonging to the treasury in Kaş-Patara. It is a striking example of the point reached by illegal construction in the region. The Kaş Municipality announced that the structure with a pool in the Gelemiş (Patara) Mercimecik locality has been demolished.

According to the statement by the Kaş Municipality, the illegal buildings with pools, which had previously been given time for evacuation, were demolished. The most effective way to combat illegal structures is through inspection and sanctions.

It is stated that approximately 17,000 illegal structures have been produced in Kaş in the last 10 years. Protected areas, olive groves, coasts, forests... A great responsibility falls on the municipal administration to solve the problem of illegal construction, which has entered the reports of both the Court of Accounts and the Ministry of Interior.

The latest demolition decision implemented by the Kaş Municipality consists merely of enforcing the laws... This unplanned and illegal construction, which has turned into a major zoning rent, must be prevented before it turns into gangrene.

Patara is one of the cultural and natural heritage sites in the region. However, illegal construction around Patara is recklessly occupying even protected areas. The illegal construction, which was turned a blind eye to before the local elections, had reached a size that threatened the ancient city as well.