Environment Minister Veysel Eroğlu and Transport Minister Binali Yıldırım signed the protocol, which is part of Turkey's National Forestation Mobilization project, yesterday at the headquarters of the General Directorate of Highways (KGM) in the capital. Afforestation near highway areas would shield the country from the negative effects of climate change, increase highway travel safety, decrease noise pollution and make for good scenery while traveling, said Transport Minister Yıldırım.
He said the regions that will be afforested under the project would be determined at the end of talks between officials from the two ministries. Yıldırım said afforestation would play a significant role in preventing landslides, mudslides and erosion near highways. He said care should be paid to preserving the environment during construction and repair of highways.
Eroğlu said he was very pleased about the signing of the afforestation protocol. He emphasized that Turkey was third in the world in intensity of afforestation efforts. Noting that the Environment Ministry would be signing similar agreements with other institutions and agencies, Eroğlu said they were going to submit a report to the Prime Ministry on the efforts to convert bare land to forestland.
He said drivers would enjoy a much more pleasant view on Turkey's highways as they travel. He also claimed that the project would reduce the rate of traffic accidents and increase the area of forests that clean the air. He said that thanks to the afforestation projects, exit roads leading to urban areas on highways would be designed in a more environmentally friendly way.
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