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In Ağlaşan, a mountain village in Bursa, hundreds of pine trees were cut down for unknown reasons. The villagers, unable to hold back their tears against the cutting of trees, cried uncontrollably. Murat Demir, the President of Doğader, stated that tree cutting cannot be considered as rejuvenation work, saying, ‘Wrong practices are being carried out here. Our forests have been devastated as if harvesting a field.’

In Ağlaşan Neighborhood, affiliated with Kestel district in Bursa, hundreds of pine trees were cut down for unknown reasons. The residents of the neighborhood, who stated that tree cutting has been ongoing for years, expressed that forests have been devastated in recent years. Villagers, along with the Nature and Environment Protection Association (DOĞADER), protested against the tree cutting, stating that they do not consent to it. The villagers, unable to control their emotions against the tree cutting, cried uncontrollably.

‘Except for cemeteries, there is no green area left’

Murat Demir, the President of DOĞADER, mentioned that there are no green areas left in the city centers, saying, ‘Today we came to Ağlaşan village upon a report to our association DOĞADER. As you can see behind me, the pine forests have been devastated as if they were harvested like a field. Forests are not fields. Forests are not just trees. Forests take hundreds of years to form. Our Forestry Directorate is making a mistake. We, as environmentalists and the people living in this village, oppose this practice. That’s why we are here today. A village, a mountain area should be forested. They have cut down hectares of trees around the village. If no intervention is made, they will cut down hundreds of acres of trees. Without forests, there will be no rain, no snow, no oxygen. We must protect our forests. Forests are vital against drought. We have destroyed the greenery in Bursa’s city center. Except for cemeteries, there is no green area left. We are mowing down Bursa’s greenery like a field. Forests are not fields. Trees, regardless of age, have been cut down.’ he said.

‘Our biggest measure against natural disasters is our forests’

Demir, stating that forests play a significant role in preventing natural disasters, said, ‘We hear news of dozens of fires all around our country. Last week, forests in 7-8 regions in Bursa burned down. A fire even broke out inside Uludağ University. Dormitories were evacuated as a precaution. While we mourn for the forests that are burning, on the other hand, our Ministry, Governorship, Metropolitan Municipality, and district municipalities organize campaigns to reforest the forests, we do not want them to cut down and devastate forests that have formed over hundreds of years. Our aim in coming together with the valuable people of Ağlaşan village here is to oppose those who made this decision. We want them to reverse this wrong decision. If they do not change their decision, each of our children will tie themselves to a tree and prevent the forests from being cut down. Forests are our future. It is everyone’s duty to protect our future. If they do not take the necessary steps, we will initiate all legal proceedings. Floods, droughts, climate events have occurred in Bursa and in many parts of our country. Against these natural disasters, our biggest measure is our forests. ‘If we think about what we can do to protect our forests,’ we protect our forests together with the people of Ağlaşan village as we have done. Turkey has approximately 23 million forests. It covers about 30% of the country’s surface area. 46% of Bursa is forested. We must protect our forests in combating floods and natural disasters to take precautions.’

Village residents shed tears for the felled trees

Sabriye Çavuş, a 65-year-old resident who expressed her heartache over the tree cutting, said, ‘I am from Bursa Sinandede, born and raised. I have asthma. I am retired. I bought a house here. My father was a local here. I bought a house here because I have asthma. I do not understand why they are cutting down these trees. We, as the villagers, are against the cutting of trees.’

While the villagers noted that the forest officials did not provide them with any explanation, it was stated that the cutting process was different from rejuvenation work.