Greenpeace: Turkish gov’t destroying forests to promote construction
▻http://todayszaman.com/news-342625-greenpeace-turkish-govt-destroying-forests-to-promote-const
Turkey’s forests are being destroyed for construction in defiance of Turkish environmental law, while the authorities attempt to justify these projects with pronouncements that the construction is “for the public benefit,” “to the country’s advantage” and “necessary,” according to a press release issued by Greenpeace Mediterranean on Thursday to mark March 21, World Forestry Day.
Deniz Bayram, legal representative of Greenpeace Mediterranean, stated in the press release that Turkey had used inadequate legal justifications to sacrifice areas of forest for the sake of mega projects and investment in energy production. “The term ’public benefit’ is vague, and it is usually interpreted as solely the economic and industrial development of our country,” Bayram said. “But this [interpretation] causes a rapid destruction of our forests. The ’public interest’ is not only economic development. The right to live in a healthy environment is also legitimate,” he added.