Adıyaman’s Floating Islands Are Being Permanently Preserved – Vezir Agency

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Innovative Conservation Project for Çat Dam’s Floating Islands

In a pioneering initiative aimed at safeguarding nature’s delicate formations, new measures are underway to protect the floating islands in the Çat Dam, located within the Çelikhan district of Adıyaman. Recognized as a registered natural site, these islands are now the focus of dedicated conservation efforts to ensure their preservation for future generations.

The floating islands vary significantly in size, with some measuring approximately 50 meters while others extend up to 500 meters. These natural phenomena, which have evolved over thousands of years, are increasingly being displaced ashore and stranded due to environmental factors such as water currents, wind action, and human interventions.

The comprehensive project, approved by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, was meticulously developed by the Çelikhan District Governorship in collaboration with Adıyaman University. The initiative involves precise location mapping and innovative methods to relocate and stabilize these fragile ecosystems.

During implementation, specialized teams used boats to locate a floating island roughly 80 square meters in size. This island was carefully floated to a designated area where it could be preserved. To ensure its stability, environmentally friendly concrete blocks, produced with eco-conscious mixtures, were employed. These blocks, along with steel cables, meshes, and chains, were installed under the supervision of environmental experts to anchor the island securely.

These floating formations, which have existed for approximately 3,000 years, tend to drift toward the dam’s edges and settle ashore due to natural movements of wind and water. Hüseyin Akın, the Project Coordinator and Director of Çelikhan District Agriculture and Forestry, emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “Our goal is to at least save the last remaining floating islands from complete disappearance.”

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