Hotel project in Muğla national park: Company sets up new concrete plant despite court order

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The Marmaris City Council has revealed that a "concrete plant" has been erected as part of a luxury hotel project within the boundaries of a Marmaris Cove National Park in Muğla, southwestern Turkey.

This is not the first time the project has faced controversy. In January 2022, the project boundaries were violated, and a concrete plant was established in the sea. Now, the council is raising concerns about the new concrete plant situated in a higher area.

According to the council's statement, the Sinpaş company is continuing to "exploit the national park." They claim that Sinpaş has disregarded regulations and rules by using dynamite within the park and operating without conforming to any legal requirements and is beign protected by the authorities.

The council's statement emphasized the need for intervention, stating, "We will closely monitor whether the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change cancels the positive EIA decision and whether the authorities fulfill their duties, informing the public day by day."

The council further acknowledged that the damage caused by the project cannot be reversed, emphasizing the need for collective action to protect the national park.

Sinpaş GYO, the company responsible for the controversial project, had announced that they have temporarily halted operations. This decision follows the cancellation of the "no EIA required" decision by the Muğla 3rd Administrative Court, which came after appeals from ecological and labor organizations.

The company had stated that they will not resume their activities until the appeal process in the Council of State is concluded. (TY/VK)