Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Environmentally Socially and Economically Sustainable Salt Extraction in Tuzla Lake (Kayseri) Turkey

Pays : Turquie

Numéro projet : TUR-04-02

Domaine : Biodiversity

Durée : 6/2004 — 10/2007

Bénéficiaire : Natl. Society for Conservation and Documentation of Nature

Présentation
One of the new RAMSAR areas in Turkey, Tuzla Lake with its biological diversity gathering wide and distinct ecosystems, is one of the most important natural habitats in Turkey. Lake salt is a crucial ecosystem product used by the local people as an income source. During the summer, with the decrease of rainfall and the increased evaporation, the lake area shrinks, and the semi-dry salt settles at the coasts of the shrunken lake. The extracted salt is spread around the coast of the lake for further drying and is a major threat to the nesting and breeding areas of endangered mammals such as Allactaga williamsi and Spermophilus xanthoprymnus or several birds including Kentish Plover, Ruddy Shelduck, Spur-winged Plover and Black-winged Stilt. The traditional extraction methods used in the area are unplanned and not necessarily taking into account their potential adverse affects on the local biodiversity. The local people are not aware this practice is unsustainable and that one day they might no longer be able to extract salt. A nature friendly salt extraction considers the potential effects of methods used on the biodiversity around the lake. Taking environmental factors into consideration, it is evident that the local biodiversity as well as the salt being an ecosystem service itself, would not be able to continue their existence if there aren’t any precautions taken. There is no doubt that the area is very fragile and is very much affected by the changes in its surroundings. The project aims to convert current salt extraction and storage methods that endanger habitats of birds, mammals and plants to environmentally sustainable and nature-friendly methods which would also enable the continuation of salt as a reliable income source for the locals
In order to ensure sustainability of extraction and storage of the salt, it is absolutely necessary to have the “conservation-utilisation” balance principles set soundly within the “Nature-friendly Salt Extraction Plan”. This very important plan was prepared during this project with extractors, local authorities, other stakeholders and consultants support. The plan strives to remove the pressure on endangered species’ habitats, wet grass, halophytic vegetation, reeds and feeding grounds of birds and mammals. With this plan, alternative extraction methods and storing places were determined.

Financement
Grant Amount (GEF Small Grants Programme) : US$ 32,000.00
Co-Finanshing Cash : US$ 24,719.00
Co-Finanshing in-Kind : US$ 9,232.00

GEF Small Grants Programme