Wind power encirclement in Mardin: migration routes and grazing lands under threat
Mardin is not only under the threat of solar projects. Wind power projects planned for the high plateaus between Kızıltepe and Derik are also shaking the region’s wildlife and local economy under the name of “clean energy.” Wind power systems convert the kinetic energy of wind, formed by pressure differences caused by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun, into electricity through turbines. However, the areas designated by energy companies for turbine installations intersect with one of the main global migration routes of endangered bird species, turning the projects into a serious threat to wildlife. Scientific reports emphasize that the massive turbine blades planned under these projects could function as a “killing machine” for species such as the Egyptian vulture, great bustard, and stork that live in or migrate through the region.
One of the most controversial wind power projects in Mardin, which has sparked strong public reaction due to its threat to historical heritage, belongs to Dicleres Elektrik Üretim Inc., operating under the Fernas Group of Companies. Fernas Group, active in sectors such as construction, energy, and mining, fields closely tied to public tenders and resource-based profits, is known for the political connections of the Nasıroğlu family with the ruling party. The company has pursued an aggressive growth strategy by channeling its privileged position, built through marble and construction projects, into strategic energy investments and state-guaranteed projects in recent years.
In particular, the Dicleres wind project, planned to be built directly over historical and natural heritage sites such as Rabat Castle and the GAP Waterfall along the Kızıltepe, Derik, and Kızıltepe line of Mardin, stands as a striking example of how profit-driven policies disregard cultural heritage.
By bypassing the participation of local communities and civil society organizations through what are described as “symbolic” meetings, the company aims to transform the region into an industrial construction zone through controversial Environmental Impact Assessment approvals obtained to install wind turbines at the heart of protected sites.
Biodiversity loss and the risk of a ‘death trap’
According to data presented by the Nature Association and bird observers, the Mardin–Kızıltepe corridor is a critical bottleneck used by hundreds of thousands of birds each year. Wind turbines placed in unsuitable locations pose a direct collision risk for these species, leading to population loss. In addition, low-frequency noise and electromagnetic fields generated by the turbines negatively affect not only wildlife but also livestock, which is the main source of livelihood in the region. Villagers in Kızıltepe object to the projects, stating that grazing lands have been reduced due to expropriation for energy sites and that animals are experiencing stress and declining productivity.
Ecology platforms and the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects argue that the Environmental Impact Assessment reports do not reflect the region’s unique ecosystem and cultural fabric. Lawsuits emphasize that the impacts of wind projects on deforestation, soil erosion, and the local climate have been overlooked. In the legal struggle against the project in Mardin, the proximity of turbines to residential areas and their effects on human health, such as sleep disorders and anxiety, are also cited among the reasons for cancellation.
Wind project in Dersim also threatens wildlife
Another wind project is planned between Pülümür (Pilemorî) and Nazımiye (Qislê) in Dersim, in close proximity to protected wildlife areas and sites considered sacred in the Alevi faith. Although presented under the claim of “clean energy,” the turbines are said to pose a serious threat to the unique biodiversity and cultural fabric of the Dersim region.
The Dersim Ecology Platform and experts state that the turbine sites are planned on the primary habitats of endangered species such as the bezoar ibex and wild goats. The region’s rugged cliffs and valleys also serve as globally significant migration and breeding grounds for birds of prey. Scientific reports indicate that air currents and noise pollution generated by the turbines could force these sensitive species to abandon their habitats, potentially leading to the collapse of the ecosystem.
Intervention in sacred sites and nature
Citizens and lawyers argue that wind turbines will not only harm nature but also damage sites considered sacred in the Alevi faith and the spiritual bond established with nature. Road construction works and transmission lines planned for the project are expected to lead to the destruction of untouched forest areas and water resources. In lawsuits filed by the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects and local associations, the annulment of “positive Environmental Impact Assessment” decisions is being sought on the grounds that they ignore the region’s religious sensitivities and ecological uniqueness.
From marble to wind power
The company behind the project in Dersim is Mina Marble Mermer Maden Ticaret Inc., originally active in the marble and mining sector but recently shifting its focus toward controversial energy projects. The company has come to public attention with its wind and solar investments, which are marketed as “clean energy” but are seen by local communities as interventions in their living spaces.
Key points regarding the company’s activities and projects include: Pülümür wind imposition: The company’s most controversial project is the Paşa storage-integrated wind project in Pülümür, Dersim, covering an area that includes 10 villages. Local residents blocked public information meetings organized by the company, citing concerns that grazing lands would be destroyed and wildlife would be eliminated, and filed a lawsuit against the project’s “positive Environmental Impact Assessment” decision.
The company has expanded its activities beyond Dersim by initiating the Environmental Impact Assessment process for the Tozor storage-integrated solar project in Kağızman (Qaxizman), Kars (Qers).
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