Turkey forest land reclassification

A series of presidential decrees in Turkey has removed approximately 4,300 hectares of land from forest boundaries across 27 provinces. The regulation affects various regions, including Ankara, Mersin, Muğla, and Istanbul. To compensate for the loss of forest status, the decree requires that real estate at least twice the size of the removed areas be allocated to the General Directorate of Forestry to create new forest lands.

In Istanbul, the reclassification specifically impacts areas such as Beykoz, Pendik, and Sarıyer to facilitate residential development, including roads and villa gardens. In Sarıyer, certain natural protected areas have been transitioned to “Sustainable Protection and Controlled Use Areas,” while some Treasury-owned wooded lands are slated for privatization.

Critics and experts have raised concerns regarding the environmental impact. While the decrees allow for administrative planning and settlement, experts warn that ecosystem services may not be easily replicated by new afforestation. Additionally, political figures have noted a tension between the rapid declassification of land via Article 16 of the Forest Law and the ongoing need to combat forest fires.