Artvin Villagers Protest Planned Mining: 'Life is Possible Without Money, But Not Without Nature'

Residents and environmental advocates in Artvin's Murgul district are raising strong objections to planned mining operations in the highlands shared by the villages of Ardıçlı and Çimenli.

The proposed mining activities and ongoing road construction on the plateau, situated at an altitude of approximately 2,200 meters and home to numerous endemic plant species, are reportedly causing significant harm to the natural environment. Environmentalists and experts, including Associate Professor Dr. Oğuz Kurdoğlu from KTÜ's Faculty of Forestry and Yeşil Artvin Association President Nur Neşe Karahan, have highlighted the area's ecological significance and voiced their opposition to the mining project. Erkan Yavuz, the headman of Çimenli Village, warned that the operations could effectively end the practice of highland grazing and animal husbandry.

Dr. Kurdoğlu described the region as having a rich forest cover despite its high altitude, characterized by steep topography. He noted the presence of diverse herbaceous species, many of which are medicinal and aromatic plants. "We are facing forests whose main ecosystem structure is intact and continuing its natural process," he stated, adding that the area is considered highly valuable within the Caucasus Ecological Region. He expressed concern that the roads being opened for drilling and subsequent exploration would cause serious damage, particularly to the natural beekeeping operations in the valley due to dust pollution affecting bees and flower pollination.

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We are facing forests whose main ecosystem structure is intact and continuing its natural process.

İbrahim Çevik from Ardıçlı Village shared his long-standing connection to the highlands, recalling when there were 15 households compared to the current five or six. He lamented the encroachment of mining activities into grazing areas, stating, "Our flowers are disappearing, our gardens are disappearing, our nature is disappearing. Not everything is about money. Life is possible without money, but not without nature." He stressed that mining would leave no grazing land, forcing an end to animal husbandry, which supports families sending children to university.

Celal Yavuz from Ardıçlı Village pointed to the underlying issue as "rent-seeking" and expressed uncertainty about the future if a construction site is established and mining commences. The protesters' slogan, "Parasız yaşanır ama doğasız yaşanmaz" (Life is possible without money, but not without nature), encapsulates their deep concern for the preservation of their natural environment against economic development.

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Our flowers are disappearing, our gardens are disappearing, our nature is disappearing. Not everything is about money. Life is possible without money, but not without nature.