Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources
“Clean Fethiye” Campaign Continues with Community Support
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — The “Clean Fethiye” campaign, launched by Fethiye Municipality to combat environmental pollution and promote civic responsibility, continues with determination and growing support from local neighbourhood headmen (muhtars) and residents.
One of the latest sites targeted in the campaign is Huzurevi Tepesi in the Foça neighbourhood, where accumulated litter has drawn concern from both officials and citizens. The municipality has described the condition of the area as “unbecoming of Fethiye”, vowing swift action.
Municipal teams, in coordination with neighbourhood representatives and volunteers, have mobilised clean-up efforts to restore the area and raise awareness about environmental responsibility.
“We will fight together to restore this beautiful city to the cleanliness it deserves,” a municipal spokesperson said, encouraging residents to take an active role in keeping their surroundings clean.
The “Clean Fethiye” initiative has gained momentum since its launch, with a focus on public engagement, increased inspections, and enforcement of anti-littering regulations. Authorities continue to call on all citizens to report illegal dumping and to help protect the natural beauty of Fethiye.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Citizens Support Fethiye Municipality’s Photo Trap App to Tackle Pollution
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — A new initiative by the Fethiye Municipality aimed at curbing environmental pollution is receiving strong backing from local residents. The municipality’s recently launched “photo trap” app, developed as part of its “Clean Fethiye” campaign, identifies individuals who litter in public spaces and applies penalties accordingly.
The app uses strategically placed photo traps in high-traffic natural areas such as beaches, parks, and picnic sites to monitor and record environmental violations. Offenders caught discarding waste—from bottles and cans to gas cylinders—are subject to fines as part of the municipality’s broader effort to protect the district’s natural beauty.
Local residents and business owners have voiced strong support for the programme. Market vendor Bilal Göksu called the initiative long overdue, commenting, “They were throwing waste from gas cylinders, bottles, and garbage into the environment. Our people are indifferent; they eat, drink, and throw their garbage wherever they find it. They should be fined.”
Göksu stressed the importance of early education in shaping responsible behaviour. “Families should raise their children in a manner so they learn not to throw things away. Because they don’t do it, they throw things away left and right. But we’re trying to solve this with these kinds of practices.”
Kemal Yılmaz, another local shopkeeper, applauded the municipality’s proactive stance. “This is a very good practice. Our people are truly indifferent about cleanliness. Our municipality has identified these issues and taken appropriate action. We expect our people to be more sensitive.”
Fethiye Municipality has announced that it will continue to expand its photo trap coverage and tighten enforcement, with the goal of fostering a cleaner, greener, and more responsible community.
Significant Call for Bicycle Awareness in Fethiye
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — A powerful message for cyclist safety and visibility has been delivered in Fethiye following the tragic deaths of two cyclists last year. Özgür Alkan (47) and İlker Muallim lost their lives in a traffic accident in the Göcek neighbourhood, reigniting public concern over the dangers faced by cyclists and their often-overlooked presence on the roads.
To raise awareness, Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca parachuted from the 1,700-metre summit of Babadağ Mountain, unveiling a banner mid-flight that read: “The right lane is a cyclist’s legal right.” The banner underscored the message that cyclists have a rightful and protected place on the roads, especially in the far-right traffic lane.
Landing on Ölüdeniz Beach, Mayor Karaca addressed the crowd:
“Cyclists are not invisible in traffic; they too have the right to life. Cyclists have the right to use the far right lane. We must both remind them of this right and uphold it.”
At Belcekız Beach, the family of Özgür Alkan joined the event and unfurled a banner of their own:
“We demand justice for Özgür Alkan and İlker Muallim.”
Their presence added emotional weight to the campaign and renewed calls for increased safety and accountability.
The event coincides with ongoing efforts by the “Safe Pedals Working Group,” formed under the Fethiye City Council in June. The group aims to shift perceptions of bicycles as merely recreational tools to their broader role as eco-friendly and practical transport alternatives. Their inaugural event, a “Silent Ride” on June 29th, drew attention to the need for respect and infrastructure for cyclists on Fethiye’s roads.
Mayor Karaca reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to sustainable and people-friendly urban planning:
“As the local government, we fully support the integration of bicycles into daily life, in line with our vision of creating environmentally friendly and livable cities.”
To further the momentum, Karaca invited all cycling enthusiasts to a public cycling event on Thursday, August 7th at 1:30 PM, starting from the Fethiye Cultural Center and concluding at the Courthouse. The ride aims to unite citizens in solidarity and demand safer conditions for all cyclists across the district.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-bisiklet-farkindaligi-icin-anlamli-cagri
Fethiye Municipality Provides Aid to Fire Victim in Seydikemer
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — Fethiye Municipality has provided emergency assistance to a resident whose home was destroyed in a fire in the Seydikemer district. Following the incident, municipal teams delivered essential household items to help meet the immediate needs of the affected citizen.
According to a statement from Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, the support included the provision of necessary supplies to assist with the recovery process.
“We delivered all the necessary items to a citizen whose home burned down in Seydikemer,” said Karaca. “We will continue to support our citizens during difficult times and strengthen our efforts in solidarity.”
The municipality’s intervention is part of its broader commitment to providing emergency relief and social assistance to residents in crisis situations.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-belediyesinden-evi-yanan-vatandasa-destek
Fethiye Wrestling Team Rises from Success to Success
FETHIYE, MUĞLA —The Fethiye District Youth and Sports Directorate Wrestling Team has enjoyed a standout season, earning national recognition through consistent success in major wrestling competitions across Turkey. Guided by Head Coach Kürşat Çimen, the team has brought home multiple medals from events such as the Turkish Championships in Sivas, where seven athletes reached the podium and three were crowned champions. At the prestigious 664th Historical Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, the team made history by being the only representatives from Muğla to win a medal, with young wrestler Yusuf Ziya Ataçocuğu securing second place in the Mini-2 category.
Their momentum continued with a second-place team finish at the Anatolian Stars League freestyle wrestling group competition in Uşak—just five points short of first place—and additional medals at the Alanya Gökbel Wrestling Competition and the Karakucak Turkish Championship. The team is now preparing for upcoming regional events, including the Seki Wrestling Festival and Elmalı Wrestling, which will mark the end of their competitive season.
Fethiye District Youth and Sports Director Harun Reşit Yiğit expressed pride in the team’s achievements, emphasising wrestling as one of the region’s most successful sports branches. He commended both the athletes and Coach Çimen for their discipline and commitment and acknowledged the support of Seydikemer Mayor Önder Akdenizli for his financial and moral backing. Yiğit also reiterated the Directorate’s broader mission to promote sports at grassroots level and ensure continued success in multiple disciplines across Fethiye.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-gures-takimi-basaridan-basariya-kosuyor
Turkey Moves to Curb Overtourism in Cappadocia with New Protection Measures
CAPPADOCIA, NEVŞEHİR — Turkish authorities have announced a sweeping new set of regulations aimed at safeguarding the unique cultural and natural heritage of Cappadocia, one of the country’s most iconic tourist destinations, from the growing pressures of overtourism.
Located in central Turkey’s Nevşehir province, Cappadocia attracts millions of visitors each year with its otherworldly fairy chimneys, ancient rock-carved churches, and world-famous hot air balloon rides. In 2024 alone, the region hosted 4.5 million domestic and international tourists. In the first five months of 2025, it had already welcomed 1.6 million visitors.
While most of Cappadocia is officially classified as a protected site—comprising natural landscapes, archaeological zones, historic monuments, and urban conservation areas—its soaring popularity has brought mounting challenges. These include illegal construction, environmental damage, and deterioration of archaeological heritage.
In response, the regional heritage authority under the Culture and Tourism Ministry has launched a new action plan to better regulate tourism and protect the site’s fragile ecosystem and historical integrity.
Key Measures:
- Stricter regulation of tours: Popular activities such as ATV safaris, jeep tours, and horseback riding excursions will now be confined to designated routes. GPS monitoring will soon be mandatory for all ATV and UTV vehicles to prevent off-route travel.
- Hefty fines and license revocation: Operators who breach these restrictions will face a fine of 92,000 Turkish Liras (approx. $2,261) for a first offense. Repeat violations will result in the revocation of operating licenses, according to Cem Aslanbay, head of the authority overseeing the region.
- Horse tours: A similar regulatory framework is currently being developed for horseback riding tours.
Tackling Illegal Construction:
Illegal development has significantly altered parts of the Cappadocian landscape in recent years. Since 2019, more than 1,000 unauthorized structures have been demolished, Aslanbay reported. Education and awareness programmes aimed at local residents are underway, with many now voluntarily dismantling illegal buildings after gaining a better understanding of the importance of preservation.
Ongoing Issues:
Authorities also face challenges with vandalism, particularly graffiti carved into the region’s fragile fairy chimneys. Efforts are ongoing to monitor and reduce such damage through increased surveillance and public awareness campaigns.
The comprehensive action plan marks a renewed push to balance tourism with preservation, ensuring that Cappadocia’s iconic landscapes and historical treasures remain intact for future generations.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Drought Reveals Old İzmir-Çeşme Highway as Alaçatı Dam Water Levels Plummet
ÇEŞME, İZMİR — Severe drought conditions and rising summer water demand have drastically lowered water levels at the Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam in İzmir’s Çeşme district, revealing a long-submerged section of the old İzmir-Çeşme highway.
The Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam, a key water source for the popular Aegean tourism hub, has seen a sharp drop in capacity over the past year. According to figures released by the İzmir Water and Sewage Administration (İZSU), the dam’s occupancy rate, which stood at 22.39% on August 1, 2024, has fallen to just 3.13% as of August 1, 2025.
As water levels receded, the former İzmir-Çeşme road—submerged since the dam’s construction—resurfaced and can now be crossed on foot. The exposed roadway has drawn attention and was recently documented with drone footage.
In response to the critical drop in the dam’s water levels, İZSU implemented daily water cuts in Çeşme between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. beginning July 25. With no improvement in conditions, the duration of the nightly cuts was extended to 10 hours on July 31.
The extended interruptions have led to a surge in demand for household water storage tanks as residents seek ways to cope with the reduced water availability.
İzmir, governed by the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), continues to face persistent urban challenges including traffic congestion, infrastructure limitations, and increasingly frequent water shortages—issues that have become a growing source of frustration among residents, particularly during the peak tourism season.
Source: Daily Sabah
