The Didim Association is heading to court to challenge the potential of a limestone quarry, crushing and screening operation on the outskirts of Akbük.
The association has appealed a decision that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required for the proposed project. The association’s management stated: “A project lacking a superior public benefit will be detrimental to both the public and the environment.”
Its statement continued: “We filed a lawsuit to annul the “EIA Not Required” decision issued by the Aydın Governorship on July 23, 2025, regarding the limestone quarry and crushing and screening plant project planned near the Akbük neighborhood in our district.
“The project owner aims to evade environmental oversight by dividing a large 99.82-hectare licensed area into plots of less than 25 hectares. However, the EIA Regulation mandates that projects must identify environmental impacts, prevent or mitigate negative impacts, and monitor the measures to be taken.
“Considering the ecosystem and settlement characteristics of the Akbük neighborhood, assessing only the limestone quarry and crushing and screening plant is inadequate. The ecosystem, forest areas, soil, and water regime in the region will be directly affected; blasting and the use of machinery will increase fire and seismic risks.
“This situation carries the potential for irreversible damage to public health and the environment. According to the precautionary principle, which forms the basis of environmental law, when a potential risk of harm exists, those wishing to undertake the project must scientifically prove its harmlessness. It is mandatory.
“Because the right to the environment safeguards the fundamental rights of both present and future generations, we, as the Didim Association, would like to share with the public that we will resolutely continue our legal pursuits on this matter to protect the natural values of our district and leave a healthy environment for future generations.”
A meeting last year against the quarry provoked intense reactions from local citizens. Representatives of mass organizations in Didim and Akbük, political parties and many citizens attended the meeting.
People protested the project with whistles and applause, often chanting ‘Don’t touch my air, my water, my soil!’
According to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) process was initiated for January 8, 2024, for a proposed marble quarry on an area of 23.90 hectares in Akbük.
Although Didim Municipality and Aydın Provincial Directorate of Agriculture 4th Regional Directorate wrote opinions deeming the mine unsuitable in the forest area, the ministry still initiated the process.
The forest area includes with shrubland characteristics, while olive, red pine and maquis type trees.