A Call to the World from Karapınar, Turkey: DO NOT BECOME A DESERT !

Short description:
Drylands Environmental Sustainability Integrated Research Areas (DESIRE) project of TEMA Foundation (Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats) has been awarded by the Mitsui 2006 International Environment Fund. Japanese Mitsui & Co., Ltd, has a history of 130 years, is based in Tokyo, and has overseas offices in 72 countries involving various sectors and supports many environmental projects. The DESIRE project was selected for funding among hundreds of applications around the world.

The objectives of the Mitsui supported TEMA project DESIRE are;

• To determine the results of the Erosion Control Project run in the 1960s by the Soil and Water Resources Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works and communicate its outcome internationally,

• Create sustainable livelihoods activities including rain-fed crop and fodder production, and pastures rehabilitation through the lesson learned from Karapınar Erosion Control Station, in two neighboring villages with the participation of the local people,

• Disseminate successful outcomes of DESIRE through the international I-DESIRE network component by promoting traditional methods, sustainability and replication of the project

Karapınar, the Blooming Desert Karapınar Erosion Control Station is the biggest and most successful erosion control project in Turkey and one of the 10 biggest projects in the world. The extremely arid land at Karapınar erosion area was successfully converted into production land by the state agricultural agencies between 1962 and 1970.