Turkey: Farmers fight power plant

Farmers in Kayarcik, a small town not far from Adana (famous for being the birthplace of writer Yasar Kemal) in south eastern Anatolia, have been fighting against the decision to build a power station in their local area. In a campaign to raise awareness about the issue a petition was organised that called for the plans to be scratched.

The power station will be built by Enerjisa, part of the Sabanci group, one of Turkey?s most important companies that last year bought the electrical firm Tufanbeyli.

The chosen location lies within the municipalities of Yamanli, Kaynarcik, Pinarlar and Taspinar that are home to more than 6 thousand people.

According to experts, the extraction of carbon will destroy 10 thousand hectares of agricultural land and forests. The change in the ecology of the region is likely to cause a severe increase in the pollution of the surface and underground waters.

Adana?s engineering association and the association of doctors support the campaign to prevent the power station from being built, as well as Guzelim?s farmer?s association.