The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change continues its efforts to open caves in areas cleared of terrorism to tourism. The teams started exploration work in 3 caves in Hakkari and are also recording biological diversity.
Three more caves in Hakkari, cleared of terrorism, are being opened to nature tourism. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has initiated work to register Sümbül Mountain Cave, Rüzgar Cave and Oryentan Cave as 'natural assets'.
As part of the study, the teams started to investigate the caves and will ensure that the caves are registered as 'natural assets'.
Not only the stalactites and stalagmites of the caves are examined, but also biological species are examined. The animals found are distinguished according to their species and recorded. Discovered species are also protected. While bats, rodents, frogs and reptiles were identified in the caves where work was started, it was also determined that some caves hosted ponds and streams.
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki stated that 290 natural caves have been registered as natural assets in Turkey so far.
Özhaseki said, “We are bringing our caves, which we have cleared of terrorism, into nature tourism. "We are adding new ones to our natural heritage list by registering the caves that are nature's gift to us."