MESOP : STOP IT ! – Three dams to be built in the Tigris valley

ANF – Amed/Diyarbakır 06.04.2014  – There are plans to construct three hydroelectric dams in the Tigris valley, which is an area of rich history and the region’s source of oxygen and life, home to a rich flora and fauna, writes DIHA Ismail Eskin. The project envisages three dams, to be called ‘Tigris 1, Tigris 2 and Tigris 3, which will change the natural flow of the river by means of water level regulators placed at intervals, leaving many historical edifices, such as the Ten Arches Bridge, under water. Landscape Architects Chamber Diyarbakır Branch Representative Ferit Tutşi warned: “the flora and fauna here are under serious threat.”

Projects planned for the Tigris valley came onto the agenda with the destruction of trees in the Hevsel Gardens. Permission for this new project has been granted by the Regulatory Body for the Energy Market (EPDK) to the Eser Energy Electric Production Company. This hydroelectric energy project threatens to redesign the area, destroying the ecological balance.

‘This project is inviting environmental doom’

Landscape Architects Chamber Diyarbakır Branch Representative Ferit Tutşi said the real aim of the various projects developed by the state in the region was to invite environmental destruction. Tutşi added that the Hydro-electric Power Station project covered 60 kilometres of the river and entailed the construction of 3 hydroelectric plants and 3 regulators. He said: “They are taking advantage of a new law in order to encourage private companies. Eser Energy has licences to build 3 dams approved by the EPDK, and they are continuing with the project.”

‘The energy yield will be negligible’

Tutşi said the project envisages changing the flow of the river 6 times over the 60 kilometre stretch involved, adding there would be serious inundation that would threaten wildlife. Tutşi said: “The total energy obtained will only be worth around 5 million TL a year, which is a very small amount. This is why we think the real aim of this project is to destroy the environment of Kurdistan”.

‘It will create land speculation’

Tutşi continued: “We know they want to build on this land. They intend to privatise the river banks which belong to the people and open restaurants there. They want to create speculation over land prices.”

‘The Ten Arches Bridge will be submerged’

Tutşi said one of the dam water level regulators was to be built 400 metres from the historic Ten Arches Bridge, adding: “If there is a flood or the valves have to be opened for any reason in the next 50 years it is highly likely the Ten Arches Bridge would be submerged.”

‘Hydroelectric projects threaten the whole region’

Tutşi said these projects were continuing, despite being opposed by the State Water Concern and the Municipality, adding that the authorities intended to sacrifice the whole region to hydroelectric projects.

‘Bird species will be wiped out’

Tutşi continued: “We will lose the bird species that live in the valley. And people will lose their land when water pipes are built to carry the water to the power plants. As civil society organisations we will oppose these projects.”

‘Ankara has its eyes on the people’s land’

Tutşi emphasised that the people needed to be enlightened regarding the projects, saying: “The people must be made aware that Ankara has its eye on their land. They must be informed of the threat facing the region. Tutşi stressed that absolutely no consultation had been carried out with local people and that plans existed to sell the Ten Arches Bridge to the private sector, adding: “they intend to sell 60 kilometres of the river to a company.”