Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources
MUSKİ Strengthens Drinking Water Infrastructure and Cleans Streams in Göcek
Göcek – The Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration (MUSKİ) teams are carrying out pipeline renewal and stream cleaning works in Göcek, Fethiye, to both secure the drinking water infrastructure and protect the environment in this important tourism centre.
With these infrastructure investments and environmental improvements, Göcek is becoming a healthier and safer place to live. The works, which include both stream cleaning and drinking water line replacement, address long-standing needs in the neighbourhood.
In the Dereboğazı area, MUSKİ teams are relocating the drinking water network line from private land to public space. The previous location had made it difficult to respond quickly to outages, often leading to prolonged disruptions. As part of the project, 200 metres of a 400-metre line have already been relocated.
MUSKİ is also undertaking stream cleaning works across Göcek. In the past three months, 2,100 metres of streams have been cleared, including 1,500 metres in Dereboğazı and 600 metres on Likya Street.
Fethiye Municipal Council Member Fatih Ugan expressed gratitude for the efforts:
“We saw that the metropolitan municipality teams have cleaned the Sırım Stream. Our citizens have been requesting this for a long time. Previously, when the stream was not cleaned, blockages during rainfall would cause flooding in homes and plots of land. This problem has now been solved. Both we and our citizens are very pleased. We thank our Metropolitan Mayor, Ahmet Aras.”
Volkan Öztürk, Head of the Fethiye Sewerage and Rainwater Teams at MUSKİ, added:
“We cleaned 1,500 metres of streams in the Dereboğazı area before winter. This work is done regularly every year to prevent flooding and inundation. We also eliminated complaints about flies and odours. We will continue our work periodically in other neighbourhoods. In line with the instructions of our Metropolitan Mayor, Mr. Ahmet Aras, these efforts will continue throughout the city to protect nature and the environment.”
These works aim to strengthen drinking water security in Göcek while reducing the risk of flooding during heavy rains. With ongoing investments and regular maintenance, MUSKİ continues to support both the residents and the environment of Muğla.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/muskiden-gocekte-icme-suyu-ve-dere-temizlik-calismasi
Residents Disturbed by Rehabilitation Work in Fethiye
Fethiye – Rehabilitation works on the Toptaş Stream in the Taşyaka neighbourhood of Muğla’s Fethiye district, carried out by the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), have caused disruption for local residents and businesses.
The project, managed by the 21st Regional Directorate of DSİ, has reached its final phase and includes cleaning the streambed, rectifying the water channel, and landscaping the surrounding area. While the work aims to improve infrastructure and reduce the risk of flooding, the ongoing activity has created difficulties for the community.
Residents report that dust, soil, and noise from construction vehicles have affected daily life and business operations in the neighbourhood. Many have voiced frustration and are calling for the project to be completed as quickly as possible to reduce further inconvenience.
Despite the disturbances, locals acknowledge the importance of the rehabilitation work for long-term safety and environmental improvement. However, they emphasise the need for faster progress and more effective measures to minimise disruption during the process.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-de-islah-calismalarindan-vatandas-rahatsiz/105303/
Ölüdeniz Kumburnu in Full Swing for Summer Season
Fethiye – The world-famous Ölüdeniz Kumburnu Beach, located in the Fethiye district of Muğla, is experiencing its busiest period as both local and international tourists continue to flock to the area.
Ölüdeniz Kumburnu Nature Park Operations Manager Burak Ardahan stated that the beach is in the peak of its season, with heavy visitor traffic expected to continue until the end of the month. “We are in the peak season at Kumburnu Beach. The influx of local and foreign tourists, which began in July, is now continuing. We anticipate it will continue until the end of this month. Ölüdeniz Kumburnu, a world-renowned beach attracting both local and foreign tourists, continues to welcome our guests,” he said.
Highlighting the international recognition of Ölüdeniz, Ardahan noted: “Ölüdeniz is a world-renowned brand. It’s a natural wonder featured in all our promotions in Turkey. This is a Blue Flag beach and has been awarded Blue Flag criteria. We maintain these standards and ensure our guests enjoy its use.”
Ardahan underlined that protecting the environment is their priority: “Our cleaning team, which starts in the morning, continues its work throughout the day. After the guests leave, we clean the area and prepare it again for service. We are continuing all our environmental efforts to leave this place for future generations.”
He also appealed to visitors for greater sensitivity: “We kindly request that our guests treat the area with care, leaving it as they found it—or even cleaner—so that future generations may continue to enjoy this natural wonder.”
742 Million TL of Energy Produced from Garbage in Muğla
Muğla – Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, which places great importance on combating climate change, is turning waste into energy through its biomass power plants. By processing household waste, the municipality not only prevents harmful methane emissions but also produces electricity equivalent to the needs of hundreds of thousands of households.
Since the launch of the project, a total of 742 million TL worth of energy has been generated from garbage in Muğla. The municipality underlines that this approach contributes both to environmental protection and to the regional economy by turning waste into a resource.
Officials highlighted that the plants play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring more sustainable energy production, and leaving a cleaner environment for future generations.
Muğla Metropolitan Municipality continues to invest in renewable and clean energy projects as part of its strategy to fight climate change and build a greener city.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/video/mugla-da-742-milyon-tl-lik-enerji-copten-uretildi/4716/
NEXT Sosyal Gains Momentum as Turkey’s Social Media Alternative
Turkey’s new social media platform, NEXT Sosyal, is making waves in the digital world, surpassing one million users and rising to the top of app store rankings within weeks of its launch. Designed to offer a fresh and engaging experience, the platform combines innovative features with a user-friendly interface, quickly attracting both local and international audiences. Analysts say its rapid growth reflects a demand for alternatives in the crowded social media landscape, positioning NEXT Sosyal as one of Turkey’s fastest-growing digital networks.
The platform received a major boost this week when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made his first post on NEXT Sosyal. Quoting a line from poet Erdem Bayazıt’s Soon the Day Will Rise — “A flower sprouted between concrete walls” — Erdoğan asked followers, “Are you ready?” His message was accompanied by the hashtag #We’reStarting and emojis of the Turkish flag, the Earth, and a rocket.
The president’s endorsement provides a symbolic boost for NEXT Sosyal, reinforcing Turkey’s push to promote homegrown digital platforms and highlighting the platform’s growing influence in the country’s online landscape.
Source: TRT Global
Artvin Designated Turkey’s First “Smoke-Free City” in Pilot Project
Turkey has selected its northern province of Artvin as the pilot region for a new “smoke-free city” initiative, part of a broader effort to reduce tobacco use and protect public health.
Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced that smoking will be entirely banned in public institutions across Artvin. Residents seeking to quit will receive expanded support, including free medication and access to a strengthened quit-smoking hotline. The program will also strictly regulate e-cigarettes and disposable vapes.
Introduced in 2009, Turkey’s nationwide anti-smoking legislation prohibited tobacco use in enclosed public spaces such as restaurants, cafes, and workplaces. The new city-wide measures aim to build on that framework and could later be implemented in other provinces. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide campaign under the theme “Smoke-Free Turkey” to coincide with the 16th anniversary of the tobacco control law.
Professor Dr. Mustafa Aydın, president of the Turkish Anti-Smoking Association, described the initiative as “a historic step for public health.” He highlighted the economic and health burden of tobacco, noting that it costs Turkey an estimated $20 billion annually and contributes to nearly one-tenth of total healthcare spending.
“Smoking is no longer an individual choice but a societal crisis,” Aydın said, warning that tobacco addiction fuels heart disease, cancer, and chronic illnesses. He stressed that raising awareness alongside stricter enforcement is crucial, particularly among youth increasingly targeted by flavored e-cigarettes and online marketing.
Aydın added that Artvin’s role as the first smoke-free city could serve as a model for other provinces:
“If local authorities, civil society, and citizens act together, a smoke-free Turkey is not just a dream but an achievable goal.”
According to a 2023 study, 34.8 percent of Turkey’s population aged 15 and over use tobacco products, and nearly 100,000 people die annually from tobacco-related illnesses in the country.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Clean Fethiye Campaign Expands with Citizen Support
Fethiye – The Clean Fethiye campaign is continuing to gain momentum with strong support from local residents.
A large-scale cleanup operation was carried out on Wednesday along the coastline from Göcek Ayten Bay to Osman Ağa Bay. The initiative aimed to raise awareness of the risks posed by forest fires and to highlight the importance of protecting the region’s natural environment.
In parallel with the cleanup efforts, municipal authorities are conducting inspections through cameras installed at strategic points across the city. Legal proceedings are being initiated against individuals found to be in violation of environmental regulations. Officials reiterated their appeal to the public to help keep Fethiye clean by refraining from littering and by disposing of cigarette butts responsibly.
The municipality extended its thanks to all citizens who took part in today’s campaign, as well as to its dedicated staff. Special appreciation was also expressed to Milliyet Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Özay Şendir and Aegean Region Representative Aslı Öktener for their support.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
