Prof. Dr. İbrahim Baktır drew attention to the importance of wetlands

Cyprus International University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Dean Prof. Dr. İbrahim Baktır, speaking within the scope of the 2nd of February World Wetlands Day, stated, “Countries without wetlands are like orphans. It can be observed with extremely striking examples, how the drying out of wetlands in the past century have led to negative effects."

Stating that in accordance to the Ramsar /Iran (1971) Convention, the concept of wetlands is accepted as natural or artificial ponds, marshes, lagoons, deltas, reeds and similar places, Baktır advised that wetlands are the richest and most complex ecosystems on the earth in terms of flora and fauna.

Prof. Dr. Baktır reminded that the water of wetlands can be flowing, still, sweet or bitter, and went on to say, "whatever the taste of the water, each has its own unique ecosystem." Stating that wetlands are the insurance of nature, Baktır elaborated, “wetlands should never be intervened with. Dried wetlands are a great negativity”.

Informing that the seasonal Avlan Lake in Antalya-Elmalı has been dried out, Dean Baktır continued as follows: “At the end of the 1970s, there was a complete environmental disaster in and around Lake Avlan, which was dried to acquire agricultural land. Approximately ten thousand people had to migrate from the Elmalı and Korkuteli districts to Antalya. All of the orchards, which were mainly apple orchards, dried out. The world's most famous cedar forests have begun to disappear".

There are 34 wetlands within the TRNC.

Prof. Dr. Baktır stated that there are 34 wetlands of various sizes within the TRNC, most of which are ponds, and noted that the Bafra Lagoon, Köprülü – Çanakkale, and the ponds by the border are all important wetlands.

Emphasizing that wetlands should be protected, despite their muddy remains during autumn, Baktır concluded, “The moisture they release into the air is extremely important for ecosystems”.