Ibrahim Yumakli: Keeping Our Forests Clean is of Vital Importance

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumaklı, participated in an event held in Muğla within the scope of the ‘Forest is Mine’ project. In his speech, Yumaklı stated, ‘Let us not forget that 9 out of 10 forest fires are caused by humans. Unfortunately, the waste thrown into the forest is the main reason for the growth and spread of these fires. Therefore, keeping our forests clean is vital,’ he said.

‘Forest is Mine’ Project and Measures Against Forest Fires

Speaking about the ‘Forest is Mine’ project established as a precaution against forest fires, Minister Yumaklı said, ‘Our most powerful shield against climate-related and environmental disasters that will shape our future is our forests, our greenery, our green homeland. As the summer months approach, we all know that the threat of fire increases, and we are now aware of this. Due to the heavy experiences we have had in the past years, and therefore, as one of the countries most affected by climate change, Turkey is at risk and under the threat of forest fires due to climate change. However, we have the ability to prevent the occurrence of these fires for whatever reason with the measures to be taken,’ he said.

Social Awareness and Fighting Forest Fires

Our goal is to prevent the risk of forest fires with early and effective interventions
‘With the ‘Forest is Mine’ campaign, today we will hopefully start raising awareness and perception throughout all 81 provinces of Turkey,’ continued Minister Yumaklı in his speech, ‘Our goal is to prevent the risk of forest fires with early and effective interventions. I want to emphasize that the greatest success in fighting fires is not intervening to extinguish the fire when a forest fire occurs, but preventing the fire from starting.’

Therefore, activities to inform and raise awareness of the public continue throughout the year. Of course, there are also some technical studies. We know that one of the most important aspects in fighting forest fires is to make our ecosystem resilient. In this context, we are making efforts to create new afforestation areas with leafy species resistant to fire and fruit trees that will also serve as a food source for wildlife,’ he said.

• 9 out of 10 forest fires are caused by humans
• Waste thrown into the forest causes the growth of forest fires
• Keeping our forests clean is of vital importance