Nature lovers fight to preserve cultural assets

AYDIN - Dogan News Agency

The region of Ören Asarı in Latmos is full of natural richness with an interesting geography and a magnificent panorama. DHA Photo

The struggle to protect natural and cultural resources in the Beşparmak Mountain (Latmos) in the western province of Aydın’s Söke district is continuing.

The Ecosystem Protection and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD), which maintains its talks with various ministries for the protection of Latmos, has recently applied to the Milas Museum Directorate for the registration and protection of Ören Asar, one of the ancient sites on the mountain.

Chairman of the association, Bahattin Sürücü said that with the collaboration of institutions affiliated to the ministries of Culture and Tourism and the Forestry and Water Affairs, they were providing support for the protection of natural richness in Latos.

“In the untouched geography of Latmos, we discover lots of pieces and the traces of different ancient settlements. One of them is Ören Asarı, for which we have applied to the Milas Museum Directorate. It should be registered and taken under protection. The region of Ören Asarı is full of natural richness with an interesting geography and a magnificent panorama. Works should start here to unearth the history of past civilizations,” he said.

Calling for the students at architecture and engineering faculties to conduct researches in the area, Sürücü said that human had lived there hundreds of thousands of years ago without spoiling the natural structure. He said that within the last year, the region was pillaged by treasure hunters. “The number of holes and broken ancient stones ancient artifacts considerably increased in the area. Since this settlement is on an untouched and remote geography, treasure hunters give plunder and give it big damage. We have found traps placed in the region by ancient locals to hunt Anatolian leopards (Panthera pardus tuliana). The traps have survived until present day without any damage. But we have examined that treasure hunters plundered it, too,” Sürücü said.

Mine problem

Sürücü also noted that the region also had garbage problem and mine problems that needed to be solved urgently. He said, “Mine richness under the mountain can be unearthed. But as a result of this, unique geological formations, plant cover, wildlife and the traces of 8000-year-old history of humanity on the ground receive damage and this richness of Latmos gets lost. But if the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs and the National Parks General Directorate turn Latmos into a National Park, this unique nature will survive.”