Villagers win legal battle against construction project on unspoiled Mediterranean beach

ANTALYA - Doğan News Agency

Villagers won their trial against the construction of a recreation area near the Çıralı Beach, to the joy of the caretta carettas. Hürriyet photo

Activists and villagers near one of the Turkish Mediterranean coast’s most unspoiled beaches in the southern Antalya province have won a legal battle against the construction of a tourist facility in a protected area.

A local court canceled the renting out of the world famous Çıralı Beach as a recreation area for tourists, after a long legal battle.

The beach and its surroundings lie as an untouched oasis near the resort town of Kemer, one of the most crowded touristic spots in the whole Antalya area during the summer season. 

Çıralı is not only a protected site, but also constitutes the main area where the endangered loggerhead turtles, also known as “caretta carettas,” lay their eggs.

The 18 decares of protected woodland was opened for tourism in 2011, after Antalya’s regional council for protection of natural assets gave its approval for the construction of a recreation area. 

Upon the decision, villagers and activists took the case to the administration court, which subsequently suspended the ruling. 

Experts had warned that the caretta carettas turtles would not go near the beach if they did not feel safe.