Turkey is one of those countries straddling
the environmental dilemma. Much of the country still lives in the pre-pollution era of
frugal living, home-made goods and dungcake fuel, but urban dwellers are well into the
lifestyle of quickly changing fashion and disposable everything. Village dwellers are
just leaving the era when environmental concern was not necessary, and urbanites are just
discovering it as a major problem.
There is an environmental movement in Turkey,
and it is making some progress. Some cities attempt to recycle glass and metal, and
Bosphorus restaurants now seem to refrain from disposing of food waste right into the
water. Sewage treatment plants are being built, but as these projects are expensive and
Turkey is hardly a rich country, it will take time. At least vessels - including yachts -
in 'Ilýrkish waters are prohibited by law from emptying waste into the seas, though it
still happens because of insuffýcient enforcement.
The best thing that you, the traveler, can do
to help the cause of environmental protection in Turkey is to set a good example and
encourage local efforts. Despite the insufficient number of rubbish bins, don't litter,
and if you see others littering, suggest that they dispose of it properly. Complain to
local tourism offices about litter on beaches or sewage near swimming areas. Ask for
non-smoking buses, even if it's plain that none exist on your route.
Remember always that you are a guest in
Turkey, and that Turkey does not yet have anywhere near the financial resources or
technical expertise - or foree of public concern - for these issues as exists in the
western countries. A superior, preachy attitude may do more harm than good, but acting the
part of environmental advocate will hasten the adoption of similar attitudes by the Turks.
Once cloaked in dense forest, after mil~lennia
of woodcutting Anatolia is now largely denuded. The government encourages conservation and
reforestation, but the great forests will never retum. The Mediterraneatý coast west of
Antalya, the Black Sea area and northeastern Anatolia still have forests of considerable
size. Elsewhere, the great swaddles of wild flowers which cover rolling steppes in
spring make fine splashes of colour.
Because of Turkey's temperate climate,
domesticated plants such as apples, apricots, bananas, cherries, citrus fruit, cotton,
date palms, grapes, sugar beet, sunflowers and tobacco thrive. The long roots of
deliciously sweet kavun melons go deep into the dry soil of the Anatolian Plateau to find
water. Turkey grows much of the world's supply of hazelnuts (filberts), and a large volume
of pistachios and walnuts. Of the cash crops, cotton is king, and grains such as wheat and
barley are important.
Turkey has similar animal life to that in the
Balkans and much of Europe: bears, deer, jackals, lynx, wild boars, wolves and rare
leopards. Besides the usual domestic animals such as cattle, horses, donkeys, goats and
several varieties of sheep (including the fattail), there are camels and water buffalo.
(Though most yoghurt is made from cow's milk, that from sheep's milk is richer, and that
from water buffalo's milk is richer still.)
Turkish shepherds are proud of their big,
powerful and fierce Kangal sheep dogs which guard the flocks from hungry wolves. The breed
is now controlled, and export is only allowed under license. The same goes for beautiful
Van cats, with pure white fur and different-colored eyes - one blue, one green.
Bird life is exceptionally rich, with many
eagles, vultures and storks, as well as rare species such as the bald ibis, now nearly
extinct except for a few birds which visit Birecik, between Gaziantep and Sanliurfa, each
year. In several parts of the country reserves have been set aside as kuþ cenneti (bird
paradises).
Turkey's coastal waters have rich varieties of
fish, shellfish and other sea creatures, though overfishing and pollution are now serious
problems.
