The Turkish State Hydraulic Works devised a plan in 1994 to dam the Ilya River with Yortanli Dam, creating a reservoir in order to increase agricultural productivity in the region. Yortanl Dam was constructed for irrigation purposes and the ancient ruins and Roman spa of Allianoi was discovered when routine excavation on the proposed dam site took place, in 1998. The site dates as far back as the second century and features exquisite architecture, mosaics and sculptures. Despite pleas from archaeologists, environmental groups and the European Union, the Turkish government went ahead with the proposed flooding and although several court cases were won, Allianoi was submerged by dam waters on 31.12.2010 by getting around the law. |
| Name of conflict: | Allianoi Ancient City and Yortanli Dam, Turkey |
| Country: | Turkey |
| State or province: | Izmir |
| Location of conflict: | Bergama, Pasailicasi |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Water Management |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Dams and water distribution conflicts |
| Specific commodities: | Water Land |
| Project details | The Yortanli dam will irrigate almost 8,000 hectares of land and benefit farm families in the region. Fed with the extra water, fields that presently produce single crops of cotton, tobacco and melons is expected to yield several harvests a year. |
| Project area: | 8000 |
| Type of population | Rural |
| Affected Population: | 300-400 (Nearby village population who migrated) |
| Start of the conflict: | 12/1999 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI in Turkish acronym) from Turkey Ozdemir Construction Company from Turkey |
| Relevant government actors: | The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Association of Archaeology and Archaeologists, The Chamber of Architects, Izmir Bar Association, The Chamber of City Planners etc., International Council on Monuments and Sites, UNESCO, Europa Nostra |
| Intensity | LOW (some local organising) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Indigenous groups or traditional communities International ejos Local ejos Local government/political parties Social movements Local scientists/professionals Trade Chambers, The Scientific Board of the excavation |
| Forms of mobilization: | Boycotts of official procedures/non-participation in official processes Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action Development of alternative proposals Involvement of national and international NGOs Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Media based activism/alternative media Objections to the EIA Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches |
| Environmental Impacts | Potential: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Desertification/Drought, Genetic contamination, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Soil erosion, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity |
| Health Impacts | Potential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Occupational disease and accidents, Other environmental related diseases |
| Other Health impacts | Wiping out the hot spa that was used for health purposes |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures Potential: Increase in violence and crime, Loss of livelihood |
| Other socio-economic impacts | - Reduced access to water - Loss of cultural heritage, historical monuments - The Extinction of a cultural heritage that is of universal value. |
| Project Status | In operation |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Criminalization of activists Court decision (victory for environmental justice) Court decision (failure for environmental justice) Migration/displacement Violent targeting of activists Application of existing regulations New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study |
| Development of alternatives: | Two alternative projects were brought forth: 1. Changing the location of the dams axis. 2. Preservation of Allianoi within the dams lake While these were possible, Allianoi is still submerged. The justification was that these proposed projects would have been too expensive. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Yes |
| Briefly explain: | Awareness was raised about the preservation of cultural heritage though the site was flooded at the end. |
| Related laws and legislations - Juridical texts related to the conflict |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Links to general newspaper articles, blogs or other websites |
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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| Other comments: | Following the referendum on the constitutional change of 12.09.2010, which brought many changed in the judiciary structure of the courts, even won cases have nearly been taken back by the courts concerning environmental lawsuits. This situation seriously reappears, especially in the case of Allianoi and other hydroelectric power plants. |
| Contributor: | Bogazici University EJOLT Team |
| Last update | 21/11/2016 |