Gesi Vineyards, subject of folk songs, to be placed under protection

'Gesi Bağları' (Gesi Vineyards), known for its folk song; the Gesi Neighborhood, which contains underground cities, rock-carved structures, and more than 100 dovecotes built from stone to collect pigeon manure—a rare and valuable natural resource in Turkey—will be placed under protection.

Stating that the Regional Conservation Board and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization are working to protect these areas as both natural and archaeological sites, ÇEKÜL Foundation Kayseri Provincial Representative Prof. Dr. Osman Özsoy said they consider the work being done to be very valuable.

'WORK HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE 1980S'

Providing information about Gesi, Prof. Dr. Özsoy said, "As you know, there are many valleys in our region. These include the Hisarcık Valley, Kırlangıç Valley, Ötedere Valley, Gesi Valley, and Koramaz Valley. All of these are invaluable, and most of them are still inhabited. We see that there are some efforts to protect them these days. The current development is related to Gesi Vineyards. We know that there have been some efforts toward protection since the 1980s.

However, over time, as mass housing has approached Gesi, these have undergone changes. But the natural and cultural structure preserves itself as it was on the first day. We do not only have tangible cultural values here in the sense we know, but we also have intangible values.

We have our folk songs, we have our traditions and customs belonging to this place. Most notably, the well-known Gesi Bağları folk song. The location where Gesi is situated is a very valuable location that encompasses many things. It is located between the Koramaz Valley and the Ötedere Valley and is situated on a plateau between earthquake fault lines. Its architectural structure is very interesting; there are nearly 150 dovecotes on the way to Güzelköy. It is the place with the densest concentration of dovecotes in Kayseri. Nearby are the Bahçeli and Derindere localities. There are underground cities, caves, religious structures, and rock-carved structures here," he said.

'WE DO NOT THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM'

Stating that placing Gesi under protection is a timely decision, Prof. Dr. Özsoy said, "We see that there are efforts to protect these places. The Regional Conservation Board and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization are currently working to protect these areas as both natural and archaeological protected sites.

It is a well-placed effort. There is both great destruction due to settlement and threats posed by the fact that stone quarries are still actively used because it is very close to the city.

Authorities are trying to take some precautions over time. These are very appropriate decisions. From now on, we believe that the same kind of protection that is applied to the Ihlara Valley or an archaeological site in the city will be experienced in Gesi. Of course, we do not think there is the slightest problem for the people living there. They have already been living in the same place for hundreds of years and are intertwined with these cultural assets. It is just a step for these to be passed on to future generations and to be promoted appropriately. Therefore, we describe it as a very valuable decision," he expressed.

INDUSTRIAL WASTE CANNOT BE DUMPED

In strictly protected sensitive areas, necessary emergency interventions can be made in the event of a natural disaster, but mining activities cannot be carried out. Stone, soil, or sand cannot be extracted from these declared regions.

Furthermore, materials such as soil, slag, trash, or industrial waste cannot be dumped.

In strictly protected sensitive areas, scientific research, education, and monitoring activities are permitted, provided that the conditions and duration are determined by the Regional Commissions for the Protection of Natural Assets; scientific excavations, uncovering, and conservation work are allowed; projects proposed as a result of scientific reports aimed at the protection and rehabilitation of the areas can be carried out; and signs and markers for security, warning, and information purposes can be placed.