Ramsar Sites of Turkey - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The main occupation <strong>of</strong> the local people around the lake is agriculture and husbandry.
90 % <strong>of</strong> the people make their livings with these practices.
Agriculture
Dry agricultural activities are practiced in the 91,7 % <strong>of</strong> the basin while the rest is used
for irrigated agricultural activities. Main agricultural products are wheat, sugar beet,
barley, lentil, chick-pea, bean, oats and sunflower. There are also orchards and groove
practices, though rare. There are almost a thousand caisson wells at a depth <strong>of</strong>
maximum 10m for irrigation purposes. However, due to water shortage it is harder to
produce those productions. In the past 3 years, to provide transition from irrigated
agriculture to dry agriculture clover and trefoil cultivation was started to be promoted.
Under The Environmentally-
promotion works have been initiated. In the 4 villages surrounding Lake Seyfe , a total <strong>of</strong>
1350-ha area is included in the project area. The water and humidity ratio, which was
adequate to grow agricultural plants as wheat in the past, has decreased as <strong>of</strong> 2000 and
in 2007, farmers in the region have reported cultivating plants as wheat has become
harder when compared to past.
Livestock
Since there are large meadows in the basin, small ruminant husbandry in pasture lands
has become a prominent occupation. Livestock production activities in the region are
carried out in combined facilities.
Recreation and Tourism
The historical and cultural treasures the hoyuks and tumuluses in the area bear, the bird
population the lake supports, the beauty <strong>of</strong> the view <strong>of</strong> the lake and its immediates has
Wetland Management Plan
The wetland management plan development studies for the site, which is planned to be
completed in 2010, still continues.
References
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