“They will not gıve us our Lake”: Cultural and Polıtıcal Ecology of Lake Karamik (Afyonkarahisar)

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This study aims at investigating Lake Karamık, in Afyonkarahisar, with a cultural, political ecological perspective. Although Lake Karamık is an internationally important wetland no literature exits, investigating the lake as a wetland. In order to fill that gap, fieldwork has been done to understand the cultural and political ecology of the lake. The research aims to answer questions like: What is the traditional human-environment interaction around the lake and how has this relationship changed over time? How do local, national and international actors involve in decision-making? Are the changes in the area compatible with the sustainability targets? How local people have reacted and responded to the changes? The statistical information from official institutions and primary date gathered through fieldwork were analyzed by using descriptive analysis method. The results showed that there has been an enduring relationship between people and the Lake Karamık. However the Lake ecosystem has degraded as a result of some political decisions in addition to some local usages. Outside forces are more effective in terms of determining the human-environment relationship at the site. In order to follow a sustainable use agenda the role of local populations should be enhanced.

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Lake Karamik , Wetlands , Cultural and Political Ecology , Sustainable Use

eastern geographical review

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eastern geographical review