Bolu's natural beauty faces destruction from mining

Bolu's dazzling natural areas have become the new target of companies following a series of EIA decisions. According to a report by Ebru Çelik from Birgün, approval and application processes have been completed for six different mining and energy projects around Yedigöller, Abant, and Uzunlar Lake. This activity, which has begun in the heart of the natural habitat, is endangering Bolu's green landscape.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE GRANTS QUARRY PERMIT IN FOREST

The Bolu Governor's Office has approved the conversion of approximately 10 hectares of forest land in the Çamlıca village area of the Göynük district into a stone quarry. An "EIA not required" decision was issued for the project, which has a cost of 2 million 250 thousand TL. However, Kuru Creek, Kuzu Creek, Suluca Creek, and Mezarlık Creek are located in the vicinity of the project site. The project, which carries a high risk of destroying the forest ecosystem, could also directly affect the region's water resources.

COAL MINE CONNECTED TO THERMAL POWER PLANT

The Turkish Coal Enterprises (TKİ) Himmetoğlu Lignite Mine in Göynük is planning a capacity increase with an investment of 51 million TL. The project will be carried out by Aksa Göynük Enerji A.Ş. and will operate in an integrated manner with the existing Göynük Thermal Power Plant. The EIA report contains information that the project site overlaps with geothermal energy licenses.

WIND ENERGY BRINGS A FOREST OF TURBINES

DAVEN Enerji plans to establish the Çubuk WPP (Wind Power Plant) and an energy storage facility in the Göynük and Mudurnu districts with a total budget of 1 billion 855 million TL. The project covers the villages of Akçaalan, Çubuk, Bozcaarmut, and Çağşak. In the same region, Uygun Enerji A.Ş. has also stepped in for the Adapazarı WPP capacity increase. Bird migration routes and water resources are located in the forested area where approximately 100 turbines will be installed.

BLASTING LIMESTONE QUARRY IN BALTALI VILLAGE

The Baltalı village limestone quarry, which received an "EIA positive" decision in June 2025, is located in a forested area in the center of Bolu. The project, worth 11.5 million TL, belongs to Ali Murat Uyman. It is planned to extract 700 thousand tons of material per year using the blasting method in a total license area of 99.8 hectares. The extracted stone will be used in the Bolu Cement Factory and ready-mixed concrete facilities.

NEW QUARRY THREAT TO ABANT WATER BASIN

An "EIA positive" decision was also issued for a stone quarry planned to be operated by Kumsan Nakliya in the Müstakimler village of Bolu Center. The project, with a budget of 3 million TL, is located entirely within the forest and is only 100-200 meters away from the Büyüksu Creek, which originates from Lake Abant. It is also very close to the Mengen Creek, Abant Creek, Filyos and Devrek creeks, and the Gökçesu town. This region is the most important basin feeding Bolu's drinking water sources.

PLUNDER OF NATIONAL PARKS EXPANDS WITH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The plunder of national parks, surrounded by mining and energy projects, is being made even easier through legal regulations. With a new proposal prepared by the AKP government, national parks that have been under protection for 77 years will be opened to construction on the grounds of "public interest."

If the proposal prepared by AKP Sivas Deputy Rukiye Toy is enacted, tourism facilities, hotels, natural gas pipelines, and infrastructure projects will be allowed in protected areas. This regulation threatens 50 national parks and 274 nature parks. Among the areas at risk are some of Turkey's most important natural heritages, including Abant and Yedigöller, as well as Lake Salda, Munzur Valley, Saklıkent, Karagöl-Sahara, Kaçkar, Troy, Manyas Bird Paradise, Köprülü Canyon, Olympos, and the Beydağları mountains.