Report:
The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has made a final decision regarding the construction of a golf facility and tourism complex near the Tuzla Wetland in Muğla Milas. This wetland is known as a ‘wetland of national importance’ and is also a habitat for migratory birds. The Ministry has released the finalized report to the public through the Ministry and Provincial Directorates. If the Ministry grants an ‘Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) positive decision’ for the project after the comment period, the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Chamber of Architects Bodrum Representative plans to file a lawsuit. The Council of State had previously suspended the execution of the project twice in 2020, as the region was declared a ‘sensitive area’ by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
No major changes have been made to the project by Vitapark Spor Turizm Hizmetleri İnşaat Ticaret Anonim Şirketi, in which Doğuş Holding holds a 70 percent stake. The project, valued at 2 billion 650 million TL, aims to add 154 villas, 120 residences, two 18-room hotels, and a 165-room hotel to the area, covering approximately 2 million square meters. The company also plans to establish a professional golf course, a training golf course, and a social facility. Despite previous stay of execution decisions, the company has re-applied for the project without making any significant changes to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
The initial application for the project was made in 2004, before the partnership with Doğuş Holding. In that year, the project received a ‘EIA positive’ decision, which was challenged by the TMMOB Chamber of Architects Bodrum Representation through a lawsuit seeking the annulment of the decision. The Council of State suspended the execution, prompting the company to restart the EIA process. After obtaining another positive EIA decision, the Council of State once again suspended the execution in 2015 due to a case reopened by the Bodrum Representation of the Chamber of Architects. The reason for this decision was the inadequate examination and research on soil and water conducted during the EIA study.
ESG Risks:
1. Environmental Risk: The construction of the golf facility and tourism complex near the Tuzla Wetland poses a potential threat to the ecosystem and migratory birds.
2. Legal and Regulatory Risk: The possibility of a lawsuit being filed by the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Chamber of Architects Bodrum Representative against the project.
3. Governance Risk: The project’s re-application without significant changes to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report raises concerns about proper governance and adherence to regulations.
Vulnerable Groups:
1. Migratory birds: The construction near the Tuzla Wetland, a habitat for migratory birds, may have an impact on their well-being.
Organizations:
1. Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change: Made the final decision regarding the project and released the finalized report to the public.
2. Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Chamber of Architects Bodrum Representative: Planning to file a lawsuit against the project if the Ministry grants an ‘Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) positive decision’.
3. Vitapark Spor Turizm Hizmetleri İnşaat Ticaret Anonim Şirketi (70 percent partner Doğuş Holding): The company responsible for the project’s development and re-application.
Sectors:
1. Construction and Real Estate: The project involves the construction of villas, residences, hotels, and golf facilities.
2. Tourism: The project aims to create a tourism complex and contribute to the tourism sector.
Keywords: Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, golf facility, tourism complex, Tuzla Wetland, migratory birds, Muğla Milas, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Chamber of Architects Bodrum Representative, Council of State, stay of execution, sensitive area, Doğuş Holding, villas, residences, hotels, professional golf course, training golf course, social facility, lawsuit, partnership, EIA positive decision, soil and water examination, ecosystem, governance, regulations.