Milleyha Bird Sanctuary in Hatay threatened by rising trash, debris
Debris and piles of trash can be seen in the Milleyha Bird Sanctuary, Hatay, Altındağ. (Photo via DHA)
Milleyha Bird Sanctuary, a vital sanctuary for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds from Africa and Asia, is once again under threat because of increasing piles of trash and debris.
Despite being home to 302 recorded bird species, the site in Hatay’s Samandag district has become cluttered with waste, as captured by drone footage.
Urgent need for protection of sanctuary
Birdwatcher Alican Gumus talking to DHA, who documented the alarming situation, emphasized the critical importance of preserving Milleyha Bird Paradise.
“This is one of Türkiye’s significant locations, yet people continue to dump their waste and debris here. Continuous monitoring is necessary to prevent further dumping. There is no other Milleyha Bird Sanctuary in Türkiye,” he noted.
Following the Kahramanmaras-centered earthquakes, trash and debris were previously dumped at Milleyha Bird Sanctuary, despite warning signs installed by the Hatay Metropolitan Municipality.
Although the area was cleaned by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, the site is again being inundated with waste.
