The breathtaking natural beauty of the Beşparmak Mountains, historically known as Latmos, is facing an unprecedented ecological crisis as industrial giant Batı Kipaş plans to dump millions of cubic meters of toxic paper mill ash directly onto pristine stone pine forests and olive groves right on Akbük’s doorstep.
As someone who has called this beautiful corner of Turkey home for over two decades, it breaks my heart to see our stunning natural landscapes threatened by corporate cost-cutting. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change has initiated an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process following a formal application by Batı Kipaş, a subsidiary of Kipaş Holding. The company is seeking approval to establish a massive “ash landfill facility” on 222,000 square meters of officially registered stone pine forest in the Sofular neighbourhood of Söke, right on the border of Aydın and Muğla.
Corporate Greed Trumps Environmental Preservation
The scale of the threat is staggering. Batı Kipaş’s paper factory and power plant generate a combined 384 tons of fly ash and bottom ash every single day. Previously, the holding company transported this hazardous waste to the OYAK Cement facility, located roughly 200 kilometres away. However, citing rising logistics and transportation costs, Kipaş Holding, led by Chairman Mehmet Hanefi Öksüz, has decided to pass the bill on to Mother Nature. To save on transport fees, they have proposed this new local dump with a mind-boggling maximum storage capacity of 2,626,000 cubic meters.
Ancient Stone Pines and Olive Groves Under Threat
The proposed site is not just any woodland; it is an internationally recognized “Important Natural Area” rich in biodiversity. Local environmentalists and residents warn that this toxic landfill will decimate local agriculture and poison vital water basins. Having observed the delicate balance of our local ecosystem for years, I know all too well that the iconic stone pine trees (Pinus pinea) and ancient olive groves will be choked to death under a blanket of chemical-laden dust. The water sources that sustain life in our surrounding villages run a severe risk of chemical contamination.
Local Voices Rise Against the Dumping Ground
The local community is rightly furious. Selahattin Aydın, a resident of the area, highlighted the immediate dangers of the project: “The company previously dumped this ash in the middle of our plains and wetlands. They were fined, but they didn’t stop. Now, they want to dump this highly chemical ash right in the middle of 20 villages, directly on top of our olive trees and stone pines. This fly ash is a persistent, smouldering waste that continues to burn even after leaving the factory. Dumping it into a valley where our water flows means destroying the water supply for the entire region. They are sacrificing thousands of lives just so one corporate boss can make more profit.”
Have Your Say: Public Consultation on August 5th
Having been forced to back down previously due to the resolute stance of local villagers and eco-activists, Kipaş Holding is trying its luck once again. The critical turning point for the fate of Latmos will be the “Public Participation Meeting” scheduled for August 5th as part of the official Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
We, the international and local community of Akbük and Didim, must stand united with our neighbours to prevent the destruction of Latmos by aggressive industrial waste projects. I will be keeping a close eye on this development, and I urge everyone who loves this region to stay informed and make their voices heard.