Statement from the General Directorate of Forestry regarding fire-affected areas in Bodrum: No allocation to any company is in question

In 2021, when the largest forest fire in the history of Muğla occurred, fires also broke out in many locations in Bodrum. Following allegations that the burned areas were allocated to certain companies after the fires, the General Directorate of Forestry issued a statement on its social media account. The General Directorate of Forestry announced that the allocation of these burned areas to any company is out of the question.

The statement included the following remarks:

 “In response to reports appearing on some websites regarding the allocation of forest areas burned in 2021 in the province of Muğla, the General Directorate of Forestry deems it necessary to make the following statement. The General Directorate of Forestry holds a position appreciated by world authorities with the technologies it uses in the fight against forest fires, its trained personnel, and its 185 years of experience. Taking into account the effects of global warming and climate change every day, it conducts regular research on what can be done in this regard, follows new technologies, and carries out multifaceted studies to protect the green homeland by also using artificial intelligence.

'20 THOUSAND PEOPLE TOOK PART IN REFORESTATION EFFORTS'

In 2021, the fight against forest fires was conducted with an air force consisting of 3 amphibious aircraft, 39 firefighting helicopters, and 4 UAVs, alongside ground forces. As stated in the report, the Turkish Aeronautical Association aircraft, which were not airworthy in 2021, underwent a comprehensive technical improvement and maintenance process by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), and following the completion of these works, these modernized aircraft were actively used again in firefighting operations in subsequent years. Along with the extinguishing of the forest fires, reforestation efforts began in the field. 20 thousand people took part in the cleaning and reforestation efforts of the 50 thousand 602 hectares of burned area in the province of Muğla.

'IT IS NOT IN QUESTION TO BE GIVEN TO THE USE OF A COMPANY'

Nearly 300 pieces of heavy machinery were in operation. Reforestation efforts were carried out in the burned areas. Over 3 million saplings were planted in these fields, and over 200 tons of seeds were sown. A forest cover has been successfully re-established in all areas that were covered with forests in the past. There is no situation such as the allocation of the forest area damaged in the fire that occurred in the Bodrum district of Muğla in 2001 to a company, giving it to the use of a company, or its expropriation by our General Directorate.”