Page 307 - 7. State Of Environment Report Of Türkiye

of forest were damaged annually in these fires, and 85% of the forest fires occurred in the fire
season covering the months of May-November, and 15% in the period of December-April.
The General Directorate of Forestry carries out erosion control and pasture improvement activi-
ties. Initially implemented between 2013 and 2017 but extended for an additional two years, the
Erosion Control Action Plan (2013-2019), the Upper Basin Flood Control Action Plan (2013-2019),
and the Dam Basin Green Belt Afforestation Action Plan (2013-2019), erosion control, flood cont-
rol, afforestation, and pasture improvement activities are being carried out.
As of September 16, 2024, 3,110 forest fires have occurred. These fires have damaged 25,763 hec-
tares of forest. During the same period, as of September 16, 2023, 1,956 forest fires have occurred,
and 13,440 hectares of forest have been damaged. This year, there has been an increase of ap-
proximately 58% in the number of fires and a 91% increase in the burned area compared to last
year in terms of number and area of fires.
When compared with Mediterranean countries that are in a similar climate zone and have si-
milar forest structures, according to figures from the European Forest Fire Information System
(EFFIS), which reports fire data, it is seen that the country is among the most successful count-
ries in combating forest fires.
Since approximately 90% of forest fires are caused by human activities, forest fires have also
increased in the provinces where population density has increased.

F.6.2. Nature Conservation Policies

In the provinces of Artvin, Bayburt and Erzurum located in the Çoruh River Basin, with the aim of
ensuring integrated basin rehabilitation including vegetation, soil and water resources, improving
the living conditions of the people living in rural areas, protecting the soil, rehabilitating degraded
forests, and preventing natural disasters such as avalanche, flood and inundation control, the Ço-
ruh River Basin Rehabilitation Project (2012-2021) was carried out under the coordination of the
General Directorate of Forestry.

The General Directorate of Forestry carries out erosion control and pasture improvement activi-
ties. Initially implemented between 2013 and 2017 but extended for an additional two years, the
Erosion Control Action Plan (2013-2019), the Upper Basin Flood Control Action Plan (2013-2019),
and the Dam Basin Green Belt Afforestation Action Plan (2013-2019), erosion control, flood control,
afforestation, and pasture improvement activities are being carried out.

In our forest areas, honey forests are being established in a planned manner within the scope of the
Honey Forest Action Plans covering the years 2013-2017 and 2018-2023 and the Strategic program
covering the years 2024-2028 in order to support beekeeping, expand the production of organic
honey and bee products and ensure food security. To date, 823 Honey Forests with a capacity of 1
million hives in 98,217 hectares of forest area have been established, supporting beekeeping and
contributing to the economy.

In addition, soil conservation (erosion control), flood control, avalanche control and pasture im-
provement activities are carried out by the General Directorate of Forestry.
Between 2019 and 2023;
y Erosion control in 94,984 hectares,
y Flood control in 55,893 hectares,
y Avalanche control in 195 hectares, totalling 151,072 hectares of soil conservation work was car-
ried out, and pasture improvement work was carried out in 56,588 hectares.

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