Tarsus Municipality uses camera traps to combat illegal dumping

Tarsus Municipality has intensified inspections to combat illegal dumping and environmental pollution using camera traps. These devices monitor areas where excavation waste, rubble, household waste, and furniture are frequently abandoned. The use of technology has proven effective; in one location that previously saw approximately 15 illegal dumping incidents per month, no new incidents have been recorded in the last five weeks.

Administrative fines related to violations captured by camera traps have reached 920,000 lira. Over a three-year period, the total amount of fines issued for environmental pollution by the municipality has reached 5.75 million lira. The data shows a significant increase in enforcement: fines rose from 177,000 lira in 2024 to 1.237 million lira in 2025, and reached 4.335 million lira in 2026.

Mayor Ali Boltaç stated during a Municipal Council meeting that while the municipality prefers not to rely solely on penalties, enforcement will continue until the issue is resolved. He emphasized that citizens must also be more sensitive to environmental protection to prevent cleaned areas from being re-polluted.