Tunceli locals march against power plant in Munzur Valley

TUNCELİ

DHA Photo

Thousands of Tunceli locals marched on Aug. 3 against the hydroelectric power plant (HES) project planned to be built in Munzur Valley, located in Turkey’s southeastern province.

The group carried banners and chanted slogans while marching toward Munzur Valley.

“We owe a living to these lands, which give us life. We will not allow the pillaging of our nature,” a banner read.

Following a recent Cabinet decision, the building of the HES and mines are exempt from Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) reports, claiming they have “superior public interest.”

Tunceli Mayor Mehmet Ali Bul said the ruling was “void” and threw a copy of the decision into the Munzur pond.

“This decision is void for Dersim locals,” he said. “The people of Dersim will never let power plants to be built on the holy lands of Dersim and Munzur Valley.”

“We will continue our struggle to give a better future to our children on our holy lands and will battle the HES until the end,” the mayor added.