Southeast Anatolia Project

The original idea and decision to use the waters of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers belonged to Ataturk , the founder of the republic. In the 1920s and 1930s, the need for electrical energy was a priority issue. In 1936, the Electricity Research Administration was founded to explore how the country's rivers can be used to produce energy. The administration began the survey with the " project of the Keban Dam " And the creation of observation stations to assess the course and other characteristics of the Euphrates. GAP was planned in the 1970s as part of projects for irrigation and hydropower production in the Euphrates and Tigris, but turned into diversified programs for the region's socio-economic development in the early 80s . The development program covers sectors such as agriculture, hydropower, rural and urban infrastructure, forestry, education and health. With the development of the new GAP administrative structure in 1988-1989, its main goals included improving living standards and income levels of the population in order to eliminate imbalances in regional development (economic inequality) and to help achieve national goals, such as social stability and economic growth due to increased labor productivity and employment opportunities in the agricultural sector. ^[3]

GAP Location

Tensions between Turkey, Syria and Iraq have been rising from time to time because of the project. Syria and Iraq demanded more water, while Turkey created a reservoir dam. Because of this, the GAP is one of the most well-protected dam projects in the world, especially against aircraft. The construction of the GAP almost completely stopped in the early 1990s due to the high level of activity of the Kurdish partisans ( PKK ) in the region. The PKK is not only condemned because of funding cuts, as the funds were used to support counter-terrorism efforts, but are also accused of damaging several dams and canals, as well as killing engineers working on dams. A number of economic crises also played a very important role in the delays in completing the project.

Historically, Southeast Anatolia has been on the trade route between East and West. This region is an important source of cultural diversity. However, changes in trade routes and agricultural practices have put an end to the region's long-standing significance.

The 1989 master plan was aimed at starting a revitalization of economic, social and cultural life in the region as part of a “comprehensive regional development project”. The region’s revenue growth was directly transferred to the restoration and intensification of cultural activities in the region, instead of moving to the republican budget. This master plan did not achieve its objectives due to the problems outlined in the previous section.

The project is based on the philosophy of sustainable development of human potential, which aims to create conditions in which future generations can benefit and develop. Key project strategies include equity in development, participation, environmental protection, job creation, spatial planning and infrastructure development. In achieving these goals, the main goal of the gap is to normalize the level of development, income and living standards between the southeastern region and other regions of Turkey. GAP completely transforms the region, creating economic and social opportunities and developing business. In order to promote the development of the region, the construction of such important infrastructure objects as airports and roads is underway. The gap will employ an estimated 3.5 million people. ( Http://gradworks.umi.com/15/16/1516490.html )

Irrigation

The GAP is estimated to double Turkey's irrigated agricultural land. Cotton production has grown from 150,000 metric tons to 400,000 metric tons, making the region a leading producer of cotton. But at the same time, the performance of other regions decreased, which means that the total volume of production in Turkey remained relatively stable.

Import and Export

The volume of foreign trade in the region has been constantly growing since 2002. In 2002, total exports from the region amounted to $ 689 million. In 2010, total exports from the GAP region reached $ 4.166 billion, while imports reached $ 3.167 billion. Since 2004, the region has been a net exporter. ^[one]

Fishing

The project is being implemented in a region where there was little water before. In connection with the formation of a huge number of lakes, it is planned to use them as a tribal space for commercial fishing.

Energy

GAP consists of 19 hydropower plants. They will provide an energy equivalent of 22% of the expected total national energy consumption in 2010. Providing 8,900 gigawatt hours (32 PJ), it is one of the largest hydropower complexes in the world.

Ylysu Dam

The completion of the dam will lead to flooding of the ancient city of Hasankeyf , whose history goes back more than 10,000 years.

From 50 to 68 villages and towns, about 25,000 local residents will suffer. Another 57 villages will be partially flooded.

Construction began on August 5, 2006 after a ceremony led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. [one]

Archaeological Losses

Project critics say the dam can effectively destroy artifacts of ancient Kurdish, Armenian and Assyrian settlements in the region. ^[four]

• Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline
• Ylysu Dam Campaign
• Water Policy

• Official GAP website in English
• Official GAP website in Turkish
• Southeastern Anatolia Project , USDA
• Environmental Impact Assessment Report Introduction PDF
• Environmental Impact Assessment Report Project Background and Description PDF
• Re-Emergence of Discredited Ilısu Dam Project
• The effects and impacts of the Southeastern Anatolian Development project - a thesis by Yilmaz, Mustafa, MA