Within the scope of the project of including the Gediz Delta in the UNESCO World Heritage list, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality has started to work on transforming the Mavişehir beach, which is outside the protected area where birds can be observed, into a Flamingo Nature Park. In the first place, an information point and a bird watching unit were set up in order to inform the inhabitants of the Gediz Delta.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, which continues the Mavişehir Coastal Rehabilitation Project, which will end the floods in Mavişehir, is preparing to transform this area into a Flamingo Nature Park after the completion of the works. The Flamingo Nature Park, which will be established in the coastal region starting from Bostanlı Fishing Shelter and encompassing the Blue Island region towards the north, will create new habitats for the bird population in the region, while allowing the city dwellers to integrate with nature and closely observe the bird species. Designed on an area of 135 thousand square meters, the Flamingo Nature Park is aimed to be put into service in the summer of 2021.
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality bureaucrats came together with Mavişehir residents to share the details of the project and received their opinions. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Mustafa Özuslu, Karşıyaka Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Eser Atak attended the meeting, and the opinions of the citizens about Flamingo Nature Park were taken before the implementation project started.
Nature classroom within the sea
With the Flamingo Nature Park, which will be put into practice within the scope of the project of including the Gediz Delta in the UNESCO World Heritage list, it is aimed that the citizens have knowledge about the Gediz Delta and have the consciousness of protection and use by experiencing this region. The saline wetlands that form the natural texture of the area behind the coastal fortifications built within the scope of the Mavişehir Coastal Rehabilitation Project will be reconstructed under the project in a controlled manner. Important habitats will also be created for the bird population in the region. In the nature park, which will bring citizens together with nature, there will be units such as a visitor center, a nature classroom in the sea, wooden platforms, salty wetland plains, bird watching towers, bird perches. In addition, alternative and navigational bicycle paths are planned to be built in the area.
Nature puzzles will be designed
Nature puzzles that can be played by all age groups will be designed for those who visit the Flamingo Nature Park. Visitors will be able to learn about the biodiversity, natural wealth and cultural heritage in the Gediz Delta, raise awareness about its surroundings and raise awareness of nature conservation through gamification.
A bird watching unit was established in the Fishing Shelter
As part of the first phase of the project, a Flamingo Nature Park Information Point was established at the exit of the Bostanlı Fishing Shelter. There are 10 information boards in the shaded meeting and sitting area. In these panels, general information about the Gediz Delta, the formation of the delta, the birds living in the region, lagoons, coastal marshes, the biodiversity of the delta, fishing in the delta, reeds, Üçtepeler and fishes will be included. This unit will also be the meeting and starting point for bird watching activities throughout the delta. In addition, a "Bird Watching Unit" was created inside the fishing shelter. There will be information boards on the Pelikan, Seagull, Tern, Batağan, Cormorant, Flamingo and Sakarmeke species that can be observed in this area in the unit, where the shade observation area and seating surfaces are located.
"It aims to bring people together with natural structure"
Karşıyaka Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay said that the project aims to restore the natural texture of the region and bring people together with the natural structure.
The statement made by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Department of Parks and Gardens was as follows: “This is the only area where a metropolis and such a good wetland intersect. It is an ecologically and economically important area. The region was granted the RAMSAR status in 1998 and was declared a natural protected area in 2000. Although it is close to Izmir, the importance of this area was realized late. It is not enough to protect the region with laws on paper. People need to know and appreciate this area. The answer to the question of why do we need wetlands is important. Without the Gediz Delta, there would not be such a large number of fish in the Gulf, so this vitality would not exist. One-third of Turkey's salt production from this area are met. Many coastal fishermen earn their living here. For this reason, Gediz Delta and Flamingo Nature Park are one of the focal points of the Living Parks project.
Be the first to comment