Photo: © FAO

Çanakkale  – A new project launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry aims to Strengthen the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Forest Landscapes in Türkiye’s Kaz Dağları Region. The project is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and will be implemented by FAO in collaboration with the General Directorate of Forestry and the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.

The project was inaugurated in Çanakkale with the participation of numerous local and national experts and project partners including Kadir Çokçetin, General Director of Nature Conservation and National Parks; Ozan Hacıalioğlu, Director of Nature Conservation and National Parks Çanakkale Branch; and FAO representatives.

“We must ensure that these forest landscapes are passed on to future generations”

In his opening speech, Deputy Director-General of Forestry Recep Ateş explained the background to the project: “Preparations and field work for this important initiative to preserve and restore the biological diversity of the Kaz Mountains have been underway for three years. This project will enable us to safeguard the sensitive ecosystem of the Kaz Mountains, protect the forests, undertake careful inventories of their biological diversity, and ensure the long-term survival of species living within them for future generations. We will also restore forest areas that have been disrupted by human activities, fires and other activities.”

“The project will work with local actors”

Assistant Representative in Türkiye, Ayşegül Selışık emphasized the importance of working with local actors on the project: “The main goal is to protect the unique heritage of the Kaz Mountains, especially in terms of forests and biodiversity, while strengthening the livelihoods, activities and knowledge of rural communities, thereby empowering them to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the sustainable management of forest landscapes.”

Director of Forestry Regional Directorate in Çanakkaleand Project Technical Leader Ekrem Yazıcı emphasized the importance of a participatory approach. “The Kaz Mountains project has adopted a participatory and integrated approach to protecting the forest biodiversity of the Kaz Mountains and other ecosystems. This approach aims to better integrate biodiversity into ecosystems outside the protected areas and to take measures to protect biodiversity while using these areas for productive purposes.

The opening was also attended by renowned FAO Supporter Dilara Koçak. “Anyone who lives in harmony with nature and dedicates their work to the environment is an eco-worker for me”, she explained. “From forest villagers to volunteers, we are all ecology workers. I am very happy to be here to support this project.”

After the inauguration of the project, the event continued with presentations and discussions concerning the business plan, communication strategy, and monitoring and evaluation working groups.