“Turkish Maldives” Lake Salda Under Environmental Threat

Lake Salda is one of Türkiye’s most fascinating natural landmarks. Also referred to as “Türkiye’s Maldives” due to its serene, bright blue waters, it occupies an area of 43.7 square kilometers with a depth of 196 meters. The lake doesn’t just act as a picturesque travel destination, but also as a source of scientific discovery. NASA has noted that the lake shares geology and mineralogy similar to those of Mars, aiding in the gathering of knowledge especially useful in understanding the Jazero Crater. More specifically, the special microbialites in the lake, which aid in oxygen production, resemble those found in the crater.

Salda Lake. Credits: Hellovillam

Although Lake Salda has an important role in Türkiye, protective action has remained weak. The lake has been threatened by recent human activities and attempts to build recreational areas around the waters, which could ultimately destroy the location.

Initially, Lake Salda was a destination mainly known by Turkish locals. However, its popularity was boosted by social networks like Instagram and travel blogs, introducing it to an international audience. This has led to an influx of visitors (upwards of 1.5 million guests annually) who are heavily contributing to the pollution and damage to the area. The vehicles used by the guests damage the white sands, causing discoloration. Littering is also becoming an increasing problem in the sandy area. The sands of Lake Salda contain magnesium-rich material, which, when compressed due to human activities (like being stepped on or getting heavy machinery put on top), damages its natural structure. Additionally, the water in the lake also has a high magnesium content, which can be altered by direct contact with human skin and products like sunscreen. Sewage water from neighbouring areas like the Doğanbaba and Salda villages being emptied into the lake has also been ruining the unique characteristics.

Salda Lake with an overwhelming amount of tourists. Credits: TUI

The lack of attempts to protect the lake gained wider attention when plans to construct a National Garden near the waters were initiated. The idea, first announced in 2019 by TOKİ, was originally to build recreational and activity centers near the water. The National Garden was intended to regulate the mass tourism near the area, insert more green spaces, and encourage family bonding time. Controversies mainly revolved around the environmental impact that this garden would bring.

Salda Lake's current state. Credits: Son Kale İzmir

Although the plan was intended to protect the environment, the infrastructure harmed the surrounding sandy area. Many critics, especially environmental activists, took their criticism online, stating that the beach wouldn’t be able to withstand the construction process and the vehicles used. Plans to put concrete in the water were frowned upon, and accusations of inadequate assessments being done to truly protect the landmark were put forward. Activists labelled this project as greenwashing, meaning that the project was promoted as helping Lake Salda and the encircling nature, even though this was not the case. 5 citizens in the area (Aysel Alp, Meral Türkoğlu, Osman Altınışık, Özdemir Korkmaz, Gazi Osman Şakar) took this situation to the Isparta Administrative Court with requests to immediately end the construction and any future plans regarding the National Garden. However, the Isparta Court ruled itself inadequate to come to a conclusion and transferred the case to the Ankara Administrative Court. The Ankara Administrative Court later rejected the lawsuit on the grounds that there were no illegal actions occurring, and allowed for the construction to continue with only small procedural adjustments. At the moment, most of the construction for the National Garden has been temporarily suspended due to the legal actions and public reactions.

After this decision was made, a new hashtag called “Hands off my Lake Salda” was created. This acted as a powerful source to fight for the well-being and implementation of protective measures for the lake.

Construction happening next to Salda Lake. Credits: Hurriyet Daily News

Although the government has taken some protective measures, both prior to and after the social media backlash, they remain insufficient. Lake Salda, as of March 2019, is considered a “Special Environment Protection Area” (SEPA), which is the maximum form of safeguarding available for an environmental zone. The area has been expanded, and under the SEPA protection, man-made negative externalities and construction will be limited. New policies to prevent construction near the waters are also being executed, with people previously involved in the construction and vehicle usage on the sands being fined approximately 421,000 TL. These measures have been effective to an extent; however, history highlights inconsistencies between what the government promises and what actually occurs. Statements to prohibit construction were repeated many times, with officials like Governor Hasan Şıldak even claiming that “[They won't] allow anyone to pound even one nail in Salda,” yet construction continued (Hurriyet Daily News). Claims that the national garden would limit and control toxic tourism were made, yet on the contrary, if the garden plans are followed, there will be a greater burden on the landscape and encourage more visitors to come.

Inconsistencies with government promises and a lack of action have threatened Türkiye’s Maldives. The lake, labelled a UNESCO 100 geological heritage has suffered great damage. Increased regulations and bans must be put in place to protect Lake Salda.

Edited by: Leyla Hacıoğlu