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EĞİRDİR LAKE

ACTION PLAN NEARS COMPLETION

Eğirdir Lake and its shoreline in Isparta
were designated a “Strictly Protected
Sensitive Area,” “Qualified Natural

Protection Area,” and “Sustainable
Protection and Controlled Use Area”
by presidential decree on January 5, 2021.

In August 2024, the lake experienced drought-related receding
water levels, accompanied by algal blooms and the invasion
of aquatic plants. Following instructions from Environment,
Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum,
relevant institutions took immediate action.

Under the coordination of the General Directorate of Nature
Conservation (TVK) within the Ministry, the General Directo-
rate of Water Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry, the Isparta Governor’s Office, the Mayor’s Office, the
Eğirdir Aquatic Products Research Center, TÜBİTAK, universi-
ties, and public and private sector organizations collaborated to
identify necessary measures and conduct field studies.

9-Point Action Plan
Progressing Step by
Step Minister Kurum: “We
Will Continue to Be
The TVK General Directorate
prepared a preliminary feasibility the Lifeblood of Lake Bottom Sludge
report addressing the thinning of Eğirdir” Removal to Be
aquatic plants and the removal of
sediment and biomass accumula- Sharing images of the lake’s Conducted at Two Key
ted at the lake’s bottom. Scientists current state on social media, Sites
from Süleyman Demirel Uni- Minister Kurum stated:
versity and Isparta University of The most critical and final step alongside proposed solutions. In
Applied Sciences also produced "Lake Eğirdir has begun to in safeguarding Lake Eğirdir—a the coming days, sediment will
an Ecosystem Assessment Report breathe. The action plan against vital wetland supporting ende- be removed from two locations—
(EDR). Based on these studies, lake pollution is being completed mic species, birds, and other Hoyran Boğazı and the shores of
Minister Kurum announced the step by step. We have cleaned the wildlife—will be the cleaning of Eğirdir District—where concent-
nine-point action plan to the lake surface and are now starting bottom sludge. A feasibility re- rations are highest, in accordance
public on August 27, 2024. To to remove bottom sludge. We will port identified the causes of water with the scientific recommenda-
date, eight of the nine items have continue to be the lifeblood of quality deterioration, pollution tions outlined in the feasibility
been successfully completed. Lake Eğirdir." loads, and declining water levels, report.

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