29.06.2025 19:50
In the village of Direkli in Isparta, citizens opposing the project to transfer the natural spring water of the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) to the Darıderesi Dam flocked to the area where construction machinery was operating. Elderly people, who came to the protest with their canes, also crossed the gendarmerie barricades and entered the work area. While there were occasional scuffles between the gendarmerie and the villagers, some were affected by tear gas and others fainted from the heat.
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Villagers in Direkli village, connected to Isparta center, reacted to the attempt by the State Water Works (DSI) 18th Regional Directorate to transfer natural spring water to the Darıderesi Dam as part of an irrigation project.
VILLAGERS OVERCOME BARRICADES AND STOP MACHINERY The project, which was initiated for drip irrigation but claimed to be used as drinking water, led to strong protests from the villagers. The villagers, who stormed the area where the machinery was operating, crossed the gendarmerie barricade and stopped the machines.
INTERVENTION BY THE GENDARMERIE While clashes occasionally occurred between the gendarmerie and the villagers, gendarmerie teams intervened with tear gas. Some villagers were affected by the tear gas, while others fainted due to the heat. A large number of riot police, gendarmerie, and medical teams were dispatched to the area.
"IF THE WATER GOES, THIS VILLAGE WILL GO TOO, THIS WATER IS OUR LIFE BLOOD" Osman Toz, who participated in the protest, stated that the work threatens water resources, saying, "Right now, they are taking drinking water to Isparta Center. They told us it would be a drip irrigation system. However, they are trying to take our water to the Darıderesi Dam as drinking water. We are against this water leaving here. They can take it from the dam below; we won't complain. This village has two natural water sources. They can take the water that is not useful to us, but our priority should be first. Let us use our own water, and they can take the rest," he said.
Toz claimed that the project is not transparent, stating, "We asked the authorities, but we did not get a clear answer. They say there is no drinking water project, but the contractor says he will work. There is permission for drip irrigation, but there is no permission for drinking water. If the water goes, this village will go too. Life here will end. This water is our life blood, and we will resist until the end to prevent this water from being taken. The gendarmerie intervened with us; they are our lives, but we also ask them not to use force against us," he said.
"IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT CONSULTING US" Another villager expressed that no information was provided to the villagers during the preparation of the project, saying, "Why didn't they ask us while this project was being drawn? They entered as a drip system, and now they are taking our drinking water. What does this project serve? It is unacceptable to do this without consulting us. If this water goes, the village will end," he said.
"NOBODY HEARS OUR VOICE" A citizen named Malike Göz said, "We have been fighting day and night for three days. Nobody hears our voice. If this water goes, what will the villagers do? We want to see our state not against us, but by our side," he said.
"BOTH BIRDS AND FROGS WILL SUFFER" Another villager pointed out the importance of the water for the ecosystem, saying, "This is the Roman spring coming from above. It has been flowing here for years. This is not only our source of life but also that of four villages. If water is taken from here, the ecological balance will be disrupted. Both birds and frogs will disappear. There will be no greenery left. This will be the end of this village," he said.
"WE WILL RESIST UNTIL THE END" The villagers stated that the mentioned pipeline threatens their vital needs, and therefore their protests will continue. The villagers, who said, "This is not just a pipeline; this is the future of the village," emphasized that their priority is their life sources and that they will fight until their voices are heard.
"THIS WORK IS APPROVED BY DSI" Ferhat Oruç, the contractor carrying out the work, claimed that there is no irregularity in the project, stating, "This work is approved by DSI. We are not doing this arbitrarily. We are doing what we were told. We do not want to confront the villagers. About 3.5 kilometers of the section will support drinking water. The rest is for drip irrigation. We will explain it kindly because this work will be done," he said.
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