Despite snowy weather, villagers in Kargapazar (in Bingöl province, eastern Turkey) held a protest against a planned Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) project. They carried a banner reading “No to Geothermal.”
A US-based company called Ignis H2 Energy wants to build a geothermal power plant (GPP) in the Karlıova district of Bingöl. The project would affect 6 villages in the area. The problem is it would be built on an active earthquake fault line, just like a similar project the same company is pushing in nearby Varto.
Despite the snowfall, the people of Kargapazar village held their protests against the geothermal energy project on April 10th.
During the demonstration held in front of the Social Aid and Solidarity Association, a banner with “No to Geothermal Energy” was displayed.
Mehmet Ali Harmancı, a member of the Kargapazar Ecology Platform, stated that the project would negatively impact their living areas and the pastures used for agriculture and livestock. Harmancı emphasized that this project is directly related to expansionist and imperialist policies and institutions, explaining that natural resources are being targeted because of these policies.
Earthquake risk threatens thousands of lives
Following Harmancı’s statement, Kasım Demiralp, a member of the Kargapazar Ecology Platform, read a press release, stating that the GPP project was being carried out disregarding scientific facts:
“The geography we live in is a region with active fault lines and a high risk of earthquakes. Despite this sensitive structure, the desire to drill dozens of geothermal wells seriously endangers not only nature but also human lives. These projects, carried out by ignoring scientific facts, could lead to irreversible consequences.”
Demiralp also pointed out that drilling and injection operations carried out on fault lines pose an earthquake risk and threaten the living spaces of thousands of people.
“Our right to a healthy life cannot be disregarded for the sake of any self-interest.”
The statement also emphasized that the GPP project would pollute underground water resources, render agricultural areas unproductive, and negatively impact livestock farming and the ecosystem.
Demiralp emphasized that Article 56 of the Constitution, which states “Everyone has the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment,” cannot be disregarded for the sake of any project, company, or interest.
Their demand was to stop the geothermal projects immediately. “Nothing should proceed without the consent of local people” said Demiralp.
