Inmates support reforestation in Balıkesir districts

In the Balıkesir province of Turkey, a collaborative initiative between the Bandırma Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Forestry Directorate has deployed 60 inmates to support forest conservation and reforestation efforts. The project spans five districts: Bandırma, Gönen, Manyas, Susurluk, and Erdek.

The inmates are tasked with various field activities, including tree marking, maintenance, and the rehabilitation of areas damaged by forest fires. Specifically, 44 inmates are assigned to the Bandırma Forestry Directorate and 16 to the Gönen Forestry Directorate. The workforce is distributed across the districts, with 16 in Bandırma, 16 in Gönen, 12 in Susurluk, 8 in Erdek, and 8 in Manyas.

Bandırma Chief Public Prosecutor İsmail Olgun Kurt stated that the program aims to protect vital natural resources while facilitating the social reintegration of inmates by making their time in correctional facilities more productive. Forestry Directorate Manager Hasan Açık noted that the work covers approximately 880 hectares, with the goal of completing reforestation in the targeted areas within one year. The process involves identification and marking, followed by a tender process for cutting, soil preparation, and subsequent planting.