Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced the good news that the tender for the project, which will provide lifeline to Lake Eğirdir, one of Türkiye's largest lakes, by adding 42 million cubic meters of water annually, has been held and the contract has been signed.
In his statement, Minister Yumaklı emphasized that Lake Eğirdir, a natural wonder not only a treasure trove for Isparta but also for our country, has been under severe water pressure for years. Minister Yumaklı emphasized that the lake also provides agricultural production power for local farmers in terms of irrigation, stating, "Due to the impacts of the climate crisis and the fact that it is one of the lakes with the highest water consumption in our country, unfortunately, the lake's depth has decreased from 10 meters to 11 meters in the last 6 years. Consequently, the lake's volume has decreased by 55 percent."
MODERNIZATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN THE BASIN CONTINUES
Yumaklı underlined that the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI), which is part of the Ministry, has previously carried out many improvement works in Lake Eğirdir and its Basin, and continued as follows:
"With the Yılanlı Diversion, which we commissioned in 1990, a total of 2,2 billion cubic meters of water was transferred from the Aksu Basin to the lake, making a significant contribution to the lake's water supply. Irrigation for 120 decares of land in the basin has also been modernized, and modernization efforts in other areas are ongoing."
"PROTECTING LAKE EĞİRDİR ALSO MEANS PROTECTING THE PRODUCTION POWER OF A NATION"
Minister Yumaklı noted that the average annual amount of water used for agricultural irrigation from the lake is approximately 140 million cubic meters, stating, "However, due to falling lake levels, only 50 million cubic meters of water were available for irrigation last year. Therefore, Lake Eğirdir represents a culture, an agricultural heritage, the livelihood of thousands of families, and the future of our children. Protecting Lake Eğirdir also means protecting a nation's production capacity, food security, and climate resilience."
Minister Yumaklı stated that the tender process for the project, which will secure agricultural production capacity and provide lifeblood for Lake Eğirdir, has been completed and the construction contract has been signed.
Yumaklı announced that the 42 million cubic meters of water to be taken annually from the regulator to be built in the Aksu Basin will be conveyed to Lake Eğirdir through 12,7 kilometers of pipes of various diameters and pressure classes.
ACTION PLAN CONSISTING OF 13 MAIN AND 31 SUB-HEADINGS
Recalling that they completed and announced the Lake Eğirdir Water Action Plan, consisting of 20 main headings and 13 subheadings, in Isparta on June 31, Yumaklı noted the following:
Three fundamental strategic objectives were established within the scope of the project. The first is to use water more efficiently and equitably; the second is to manage groundwater and surface water on a scientific basis; and the third is to protect the natural balance and ecosystem. By using water more efficiently and equitably, we mean this commitment for all of Turkey. All newly constructed irrigation systems in every project are closed. However, in the case of Lake Eğirdir, the existing open irrigation areas will be converted into closed irrigation systems. We have currently halted all other projects. We will allocate all our resources to this project.
The total investment amount to be made between 2025 and 2030 as part of our action plan will be 21 billion Turkish Lira. Thanks to these investments, we will save 6 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to Isparta's six-year drinking water needs, in just one year. By increasing the lake's water volume, we will ensure its level rises. We will protect our groundwater and improve the lake's water quality. We will protect the lake and its basin ecosystem. May the investments we have begun implementing since the signing of the contract be beneficial for Isparta and our country.