Living Land

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Image: Min. of Forestry and Water Affairs, Turkey

Green belt afforestation was important to address a growing need for recreational space in urban areas

that have been destroying nature are unconsciously paying for

it. Trees and forests are our biggest resources to prevent these

disasters. We should look after these resources and their assets

should be sustained and accelerated. This can be achieved by

mobilizing everyone to plant saplings and re-establish the forests.

Potential afforestation areas cannot be established by the

Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s financial and physical

capability alone. One of the biggest services that can be provided

to our country is to say: “stop erosion” by planting saplings.

Everyone should have this spirit of enthusiasm. Therefore,

agencies and institutions, bodies of troops, local authorities

and non-governmental organizations in Turkey should provide

financial and physical support to this afforestation mobilization.

Countrywide afforestation mobilization began in 2008, with

the goal to afforest and rehabilitate 2.3 million hectares by

2012. The soil that had been carried from these areas to dams

and seas due to erosion would be conserved. The most effec-

tive and permanent precautions against climate change and

global warming have been taken.

While the forests are decreasing constantly, Turkey is one

country that is increasing its forest asset. Our forests covered

20.2 million hectares of land in 1973, and had reached 21.7

million hectares in 2012.

During the five years in the scope of the mobilization, we

achieved afforestation of 210,169 hectares; soil protection

afforestation in 315,889 hectares; and private afforestation

in 49,385 hectares. Some 1.75 million hectares of degraded

forest were rehabilitated and rangeland rehabilitation was

achieved in 37,880 hectares.

Roadsides, schools, hospitals, health centres, sanctuaries and

cemeteries were afforested in action plan works in addition to

afforestation, rehabilitation, erosion control and rangeland reha-

bilitation work. Planting was done on 8,135 km of highways and

2,262 km of village road, in 27,000 school yards, 1,095 health

centres and hospital orchards and 9,826 sanctuaries and cemeter-

ies. In the scope of the ‘Schools get life’ initiative, works are being

conducted and school orchards are being planted.

Green belt afforestation has also been achieved around

cities. As a result of migration from rural to urban areas, the

population’s need for recreational space in cities has increased.

To address this need, green belt afforestation around urban

areas was undertaken and urban forests were established.

During themobilization, the works received support fromevery

walk of life. Seedlings were planted on the behalf of supporters and

memorial forests were established. In this context banks, firms,

real and legal entities have contributed TL 20.6 million (US$11.5

million) in financial support, 15.2 million seedlings were planted

on the behalf of supporters and 79.288 hectares were afforested.

Over the five years of the action plan, 109 million seedlings were

distributed to the population free of charge.

Action plan implementations also provided employment

opportunities to the rural population. Every year during the

plan’s implementation, 300,000 people were employed for six

months in the production of seeds and seedlings, afforesta-

tion, rehabilitation and erosion control work.

The Turkish Government’s decision to initiate mobilization

resulted in Turkey’s greatest project to achieve afforestation

and combat erosion. Turkey is among the countries which

will be affected by climate change and desertification because

of its geographical location. There is active erosion in 59 per

cent of its agriculture lands, 54 per cent of its forest lands and

64 per cent of its rangelands, while 48 per cent of its forests

are degraded. To address these issues, the Afforestation and

Erosion Control Mobilization Action Plan focused on key

goals to increase forests, improve degraded forests, prevent

erosion and minimize the effects of these in Turkey. During

the five years of action plan activities, all parts of society

have participated in achieving those goals and carrying out

afforestation, rehabilitation, erosion control and rangeland

rehabilitation work.

The original target of the action plan was to afforest and

combat erosion across 2.3 million hectares of land within five

years. This target has been exceeded, with 2 billion seedlings

planted to establish more than 2.4 million hectares of forest

plantation between 2008 and 2012.

The mobilization of afforestation has been achieved and

its effects continue to be seen. Between 2003 and 2014

afforestation, erosion control, rehabilitation and rangeland

rehabilitation works were realized on 4.2 million hectares of

land and a total of 3.25 billion seedlings met with soil.

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