18.06.2025 10:35
The local residents of the Gümüşlük neighborhood in Bodrum are upset, claiming that the Çayıraltı Public Beach, which was made available for free public use, has been allocated to a private business by Mayor Tamer Mandalinci's decision. Citizens are organizing protests and collecting dozens of signatures to make their voices heard, calling on the authorities to rectify this mistake as soon as possible.
Hosting an ancient city, Gümüşlük, a neighborhood in Bodrum district of Muğla, stands out among its peers and deserves to be protected and preserved with its historical treasures and natural beauties. The occupation of the beaches, which are protected by the Constitution and the Coastal Law and made available for the free use of the public, by private enterprises has drawn great reactions.
"THE PUBLIC BEACH HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO A PRIVATE ENTERPRISE"
Çayıraltı Public Beach, which has been allocated for free use by the public for years and includes showers, changing rooms, toilets, lifeguards, and a blue flag, was first deprived of these facilities and services, and then the remaining part was claimed to be allocated to a private enterprise by the Bodrum Municipality, which became the last straw for the local residents.
"THE MAYOR OPENLY ADMITTED"
The claim that the public and guests coming to the region for vacation, who want to benefit from the beaches and the sea freely and without charge, are being squeezed into an increasingly smaller area over the years, and that Bodrum Mayor Tamer Mandalinci admitted that this action was taken with his approval, has led to criticism directed at him.
"DON'T LIE ON ANIMAL FECES..."
Local residents attended the Municipal Council Meeting with banners reading "The Coasts Belong to the People" and demanded an explanation from Mayor Mandalinci regarding the narrowing of the public beach and the allocation of part of the area to a private enterprise. Mandalinci stated, "We put sunbeds so you don't lie on animal feces," but did not provide any explanation regarding the gradual narrowing of the public beach over the years.
PROTESTS CONTINUE
The people of Gümüşlük and NGOs protesting against the allocation of the public beach to businesses organized demonstrations, and protests and actions were carried out on the occupied public beach. A petition signed by approximately 200 people was submitted to the Municipality and the District Governor's office, demanding the rectification of the unlawfulness and the immediate return of the beach to the public.
THEY CALLED OUT TO THE MAYOR
The people of Gümüşlük have not received any concrete response despite numerous applications, while the protests in the region continue uninterrupted. The local residents and guests calling on Bodrum Mayor Mandalinci demand an end to this illegal practice and the immediate return of the beaches that belong to the public.
SEWAGE IS FLOWING INTO THE SEA
On the other hand, the public beach near Demirci Stream, which has been proven to be polluted by numerous water tests conducted by the people of Gümüşlük since the spring of 2022, and which has been reported to various public institutions and organizations including Bodrum District Governor's Office, Bodrum Municipality, Bodrum Municipality Building Inspection Directorate, Zoning Directorate, District Health Directorate, and Muski at various times, continues to produce infections and carry sewage into the sea as of June 2025, which is another development that has infuriated the local residents.
"EVERYONE IS PASSING THE BUCK"
The people of Gümüşlük and NGOs, who state that they have not received any results from any correspondence, meetings, or initiatives so far, observe that the public institutions and organizations they have applied to are passing the buck and that no institution has taken any action.
HEAR THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Citizens state that the environmental NGOs trying to find solutions on their own have failed, and at this point, they have not found any response to their initiatives regarding the pollution of the coasts and the sea with sewage from both sides and the illegal occupation of the beaches.