Kojceiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area, Turkey

#Halloween2023 Kojceiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Reserve is a protected nature reserve in the Mugla Province of Türkiye. In June 1988, it was identified and declared the first protected area of ​​its kind in Türkiye. In 1990, the original SPA area was expanded westward. So far, there are 14 nature reserves with this status, of which Pamukkale is probably the most famous. All these areas are under the supervision of Türkiye's Special Regions Environmental Protection Agency ÖÇKK. The area was granted special status thanks to a request from Britain’s Prince Philip to Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Özal to suspend the construction of a hotel complex on Iztuzu Beach while an environmental impact assessment is awaited. At the time, Prince Philip was chairman of the WWF, which was approached by environmentalists including Joan Heimow, Gunther Peter, David Bellamy, Lily Venizelos, Nergis Yazgan and Keith Corbett to help stop a hotel complex from being built on the beach. Iztuz Beach is one of the main nesting areas for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle, and environmentalists are trying to protect the turtle’s habitat. In September 1987, the construction project was suspended due to an environmental impact assessment, and in 1988 the Turkish government decided to ban construction due to the special significance of the area. This is not only because of the natural importance of the beach and its significance as a habitat for sea turtles, but also because of the cultural and historical significance and geological importance of the Dalyan-Kojceiz hinterland. The boat ride is to watch Dalyan Bogaz passing through the reeds, where you can see various birds such as kingfishers, little egrets, great egrets, cormorants, etc. On the rocks of the mountain wall opposite the town of Dalyan are the rock tombs of the ancient Carian city of Kaunos. From the top floors of the amphitheater and acropolis of the Kaunos archaeological site, which dates back to the 10th century BC, you can enjoy a commanding view of the river, the bay and the reed marshes at the estuary. Besides its cultural and historical significance, this historic city is also interesting for its rich reptiles, birds and insects. Many of the 33 reptile species in the Special Environmental Reserve can be found in Kaunos. #OverseasTravel #Turkey #TurkeyTravel #TurkeyTourism #TurkeyTravel #TurkeyAttractions #Reeds #Sea #AegeanSea #HistoricalBuildings #SeaTurtle #Town #River