In our city with a population of 2 million, there are no burial sites left! In 20 days, burial operations may completely cease.

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In Diyarbakır, with a population approaching 2 million, burials are not being conducted in 3 cemeteries due to full capacity, and the deceased are being buried in the Yeniköy Cemetery in the Bağlar district, which has been operational for about 40 years. Vahap Saçaklı, the Head of the Health Affairs Department of the Metropolitan Municipality, stated that there is only about 20 days of space left in Yeniköy Cemetery, saying, "We are experiencing serious difficulties" and highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

"SERIOUS PROBLEMS WILL OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER"

Saçaklı stated, "According to our statistics, the daily death rate is between 9-11. Of course, this may vary depending on potential disasters. If such a thing happens, serious problems will arise. For about 40 years, we have been burying the deceased in the Yeniköy Cemetery in the Bağlar district. There is only 15-20 days of space left in this cemetery as a burial area. As an alternative, we have allocated 18 acres of the Park and Gardens Filling facility, which belongs to the municipality, right next to it. This will give us an additional 3 months," he said.

"WE HAVE A 588-ACRE AREA IN THE BAĞIVAR REGION"

Saçaklı noted that the title deed process for the 588-acre area allocated in the Bağıvar region of the Sur district, for which 1 million 448 thousand 232 liras were paid in 2022, is expected to be resolved as soon as possible. "In 2022, this area was discussed with the Agricultural and Forestry Provincial Directorate's Grazing Commission, and the grazing fee of 1 million 448 thousand 232 TL was deposited by the Metropolitan Municipality. Later, it was determined that there was no obstacle for this area to be a cemetery. In discussions with the Governorship, it was also stated that there was no obstacle. Due to the pandemic, burial areas have been exhausted, and therefore, our request for allocation is urgently evaluated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. Our problem is the inadequacy of Yeniköy Cemetery. We want them to urgently transfer the title of the area in Bağıvar to the municipality and to proceed with our project as soon as possible," he said.

"WE CANNOT MEET FAMILY CEMETERY REQUESTS"

Saçaklı stated that they do not want to be left without alternatives and mentioned that they cannot meet family and spouse cemetery requests, saying, "There was a pandemic, and death statistics suddenly skyrocketed. We want to be prepared in case of a natural disaster. Citizens in our region show great sensitivity in fulfilling their religious duties. We do not want to be left without alternatives. We have other plans, but this means converting areas where our other units operate into cemetery areas, which will create problems in operations. Regarding the 588-acre area in Bağıvar, we estimate that it will last us between 50 to 60 years based on the statistics. Family cemeteries were sold last year. Therefore, we cannot meet family cemetery requests. We have temporarily halted spouse cemetery requests due to space constraints. Once the preparation and project for the new cemetery are completed, we will meet family and spouse cemetery requests," he said. Authorities from the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change also stated that the relevant letter has been sent to the General Directorate of National Estate for the resolution of the situation, and the processes are ongoing.