Protests Mount Against Stone Quarry Project Threatening Istanbul's Green Lungs

Residents and local associations are fiercely opposing a planned stone quarry in Istanbul's Şile district, an area vital for the city's clean air supply and part of the Northern Forests. The controversy has escalated with a lawsuit filed by village associations challenging the exemption from an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project.

Following the legal challenge, an expert panel recently conducted an on-site inspection. The associations involved expressed their belief that the report prepared by this panel is crucial. They stated it holds significant importance not only for the current lawsuit but also for safeguarding the future of Şile, the Northern Forests, water basins, and the right to life for future generations.

In a strong statement, the associations declared, “We believe that the report to be prepared by the expert panel carries great importance not only for this lawsuit but also for the protection of Şile, the Northern Forests, water basins, and the common right to life of future generations.” They underscored that no public investment can supersede the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment, a right guaranteed by Article 56 of the Constitution.