Environmental policy and administrative management

The B y k ekmece Lake is not only an important nature area, but also is one of the most important sources of potable water for Istanbul. The area of approximately 500 hectare around the Lake is exposed to extensive use of chemicals and intense agriculture, resulted in land degradation, loss of nutrients, minerals and land fertility. The pesticides and herbicides have destroyed the microorganisms in the soil and all the plants and animals, and have become life threatening for humans. The Social Development Volunteers Solidarity Society supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), aims to demonstrate good agricultural practices, giving hands-on training on organic production principles, planned and diversified cropping, establishing of windbreaks and filter strips to reduce water and wind erosion, composting etc. Apart from being environmentally sound, the project s social and economic impacts are important since it also aims to provide job opportunities for the landless women. Finally, by promoting the organisation of producers under a cooperative, the project wants to facilitate common actions for problems on production and marketing. The Society aims expansion of the urban agriculture, thereby avoiding intercity transportation of food and resulting in a reduction of the use of fossil fuels.

Turkey