host fortune of Underground caves, Turkey will now take concrete preservation steps for The first the time for Underwater caves. a research project It was recently launched to investigate, record and protect terrestrial and underwater caves in the country.
According to sources in the General Directorate for Preservation of natural heritage project It will record 27 terrestrial caves and three natural caves assets of Turkey under the umbrella of Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
Research will be conducted in Konya, Kastamonu, Kocaeli, Eskişehir, Izmir, Bilecik, Mugla, Antalya, Isparta, Sakarya, Bursa, Bitlis, Trabzon, Sakarya, Kerman and Mersin provinces.
under projectsea caves will be explored for The first the time. Kierkegosler Cave in Döşemealtı district of Antalya, Suluin . Cave in Vinic neighborhood and Caenk Cave in The Aydıncık district of Mersin will be registered and protected.
Ministry also Work on the detection of geological and environmental characteristics of natural caves in Country. Projects are being implemented out in Various areas to record and protect caves.
In the last Three years, Turkey registered and took under protection 99 caves across the country. In this context, another 290 caves have been identified so far.
Cave ecosystems host a rich biodiversity that provides a habitat and fertile ground various Vertebrates include bats, some rodents, frogs, and reptiles, as well various Invertebrates and endemic plant species. In the identified caves, many animals, including rare species, were found.25 new Species brought to science world. the majority of these new The species are invertebrates.
Turkey sanctuary for spelunkers (people who Make exploring and studying caves their hobby) with more More than 40,000 caves of various Sizes with Magnificent underground landscape dotted with stalactites and stalagmites. Caves have always been an important part of the culture in ancient Civilizations that inhabited Anatolia, some exploit it for Create tanks while others built Their churches are there escape persecution.
However, only a few dozen caves have been fully opened to visitors due to speed danger While others can be explored by professional cave explorers with Professional tour guides and with Permission from the authorities.
