06.10.2025 15:26
The Mayor of Samandağ, Emrah Karaçay, a member of the Workers' Party of Turkey, thanked Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum for the services provided in Hatay after the earthquake, and this time he expressed his gratitude for the Milleyha Bird Paradise. Karaçay stated, "We will probably face another beautiful lynching campaign on social media, but we will always thank for what is right."
The Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, visited Hatay once again on Saturday to inspect the ongoing construction works following the earthquakes of February 6. Presiding over an evaluation meeting at the AFAD Disaster Coordination Center, Minister Kurum met with the governor, members of parliament, district governors, mayors, and managers of public institutions and organizations to gather information about the works in the city.
THANK YOU TO MILLEYHA THIS TIME
During the meeting, Emrah Karaçay, the Mayor of Samandağ from the Workers' Party of Turkey, recalled that he faced lynching on social media for thanking Minister Kurum at a previous meeting, and this time he expressed his gratitude regarding the Milleyha Bird Paradise. Stating that declaring the region as a 'Natural Site Area' was a correct and timely decision for the environment, Karaçay said, "I am saying this knowing that I will likely be lynched again on social media, but I want to thank you for the valuable work done here. For years, for decades, this was a place that environmentalists, including us, fought for. I thank you for your support regarding the closure of zoning areas. We will always thank for the right thing, even if we face a beautiful lynching campaign on social media."
Karaçay asked whether the Ministry has a plan for citizens engaged in agriculture or owning land in the area declared as a site. Minister Kurum noted that the relevant units of the ministry are working to address the grievances of citizens.
A 'NATURAL SITE AREA' SHIELD FOR MILLEYHA FROM THE MINISTRY
Upon the instruction of the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, and in line with the views and suggestions of scientists, the Milleyha Wetland Area was registered as a 'Natural Site Area' last month. In the bird paradise, where a decision was made for 'Qualified Natural Conservation Area' and 'Sustainable Conservation and Controlled Use Area', the size of the protected area was increased threefold from 126 hectares to 383 hectares.