The Bodrum Environmental Platform is a civil society platform operating in the Bodrum district of Muğla, focused on environmental protection, preventing ecological damage, and sustainability. The platform was formed through the collaboration of local residents, civil society organizations, and experts, and carries out various campaigns, actions, and legal processes with the aim of protecting Bodrum's natural and cultural heritage. Established as part of a broader network such as the Muğla Environmental Platform (MUÇEP) in 2016-2017, it operates as a council or infrastructure focused on local issues in Bodrum.

Establishment Process

The platform emerged in late 2016 as part of MUÇEP with the aim of protecting nature and shared living spaces throughout Muğla. In Bodrum, it took shape around 2017 through signature campaigns and discussions addressing local environmental issues such as the Torba Landfill fires. Participants decided to jointly fight against ecological destruction, construction, and profiteering.

Expansion

The structure known as the MUÇEP Bodrum Council has grown in collaboration with the Bodrum City Council Environment and Ecology Council. A new management period began at the end of 2024, ensuring the platform's continued activity.

The platform's primary goal is to protect Bodrum's natural ecosystems (forests, coastlines, olive groves, etc.) from profit-driven projects and to advocate for sustainable environmental policies.

Main activities

Campaigns and Actions: Signature collection, press releases, and protests. For example, the campaign organized for the rehabilitation of the Torba Landfill was successful and landfill fires were prevented.

Legal Battles

Conducting litigation processes. Lawsuits filed in areas such as Kızılağaç Quarries, Gerence Bay Limak Hotel Project, and Güvercinlik RES Project are ongoing. Individuals such as attorney Remzi Kazmaz have faced the risk of prosecution for environmental advocacy.

Business Partnerships

The Bodrum Citizens' Initiative organizes joint events with organizations such as the Bodrum City Council. Awareness events are held on days such as World Environment Day.

The platform has opposed the following projects in Bodrum and Muğla.

Bodrum Ring Road Project

They protested, arguing that the 18-kilometer highway-like road would cause forest destruction. The project, described as "Bodrum's death sentence," has been criticized for allegedly being carried out secretly under the guise of intersection permits.

Coastal and Forest Protection

Coastal occupation in Küdür, coastal filling in Gündoğan (The Bo Viera project), protests against Cengiz Construction in Cennet Koyu; Forest allocation in Gölterkbükü, coastal occupation in Aspat, forest destruction in İkizköy and Akbelen, objections to the destruction of olive groves in Deştin.

Other Threats

Natural gas projects, geothermal drilling, privatizations such as opening up 1.1 million square meters of Ortakent land for development. In 2020, protests were held against the sale of 1 million square meters of natural land.

New Management

At the meeting held in December 2024, Urban Planner Dr. Murat Özyaba was elected as the new president. The regular members of the Board of Directors are: Müslüm Bozkurt (Lawyer), Aysun Öztürk (Real Estate Appraiser), Suat Sayat (Academic), Mehmet Karaca (Village Head), Temel Şefkatli (Company Consultant), Hasan Güventürk (Retired Captain), Şükriye Baysal (Urban Planner), Fuat Yetkinler. Reserve members include Aram İlhan and Cem İşmen.

Sustainability-Focused

The platform has stated that it will continue its environmental struggle through dialogue with local authorities; legal proceedings and activities are ongoing. Emphasis is placed on "environmental projects" that preserve Bodrum's identity.