New horizons for natural resources and water resources: a case study of the southeastern Anatolia region and the southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP)

Abstract

The southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), one of the most important projects for developing the world's natural resources, will bring benefit from the rich water and agricultural resources of the southeastern Anatolia Region. The GAP Project has been considered as a regional development project for a number of years, but the dimensions of sustainability, protection of environment and public participation have become part of the project more recently. When the GAP Project is completed, Upper Mesopotamia, with its old centres of civilization, will regain the importance it had in ancient times as part of the " Fertile Crescent". Moreover, when the growing stresses on world water resources and the shortage of water supplies are borne in mind, the importance of southeastern Anatolia's water will be much increased. For these reasons, the GAP Project, which is being developed for enhancing the natural resources of the region, will have an important place in the world. The aim of this study is to introduce a region rich in natural resources and to consider the GAP Project. To these ends, first the natural potential of the region will be discussed, second the GAP Project will be presented in detail. In the third stage, the projects being undertaken for protecting the natural resources and environment will be analysed. In the last stage, attention will be given to the strategies and policies to develop and to protect the natural resources of the region in the short-, mid-, and long-term. The main of aim of this study is to describe the effects of developing civilization through water. This will include studies establishing the policies and strategies in the relationships between human beings and water in the region.