Sustaining Water For All Through Nature-Based Solutions In Balıkdamı Wetland

The project “Sustaining Water for All Through Nature-Based Solutions in Balıkdamı Wetland” supported by the Donors Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (“DIMFE”), started in July 2023 and will continue until June 2026 in Balıkdamı Wetland. The project is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 5th Regional Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks. Balıkdamı Wetland is protected under nationally important wetland, wildlife protection area, wildlife development area, and natural protected area qualified as a natural site. The overall goal is to sustain the ecosystem integrity of the wetland and to ensure freshwater availability for natural ecosystems and every single living being. There is pressure due to excessive use of water for agriculture. In addition, the freshwater quality of the area is adversely affected by chemical inputs in agriculture. Other important problems include changes in the water regime, irrigation channels, and increasing flooding during excessive rainfall due to the accumulated material in the wetland caused by erosion in the upper basins. The contributions include 1) developing nature-based solutions in agriculture to reduce land use impacts, 2) identifying ecosystem restoration needs and implementing urgent actions for degraded habitats, and 3) increasing awareness of local people.