Since its foundation, BOTAŞ, by highlighting environmental sensitivities, has carried out several works for the protection and increase of the biodiversity in the regions where it has been operating and it continues to do so.
With the afforestation and animal population increase works BOTAŞ has been implementing for years, both the sites of the facilities have been greened and biodiversity has increased as suitable habitat was created for animals. To name a few, francolins, partridges, foxes, Indian porcupines, gazelles and the like have started to live in the site of the Regional Directorate of Petroleum Operations.
"Tuz Gölü Underground Natural Gas Storage Project" has been carried out by our organization, approximately 40 km south of Tuz Gölü. Within the scope of the project, fresh water is transferred from Hirfanlı Dam and is used to dissolve the underground salt formations. The caves formed as a result are used for storing natural gas, and the resulting brine is carried via pipelines and charged into Tuz Gölü. Hence, a significant contribution is made to the increase of the water levels of the Lake which had been drying day by day.
Tuz Gölü is on the migration route of flamingos, a migratory bird species. During the migration periods, flamingos lodge, feed and breed in and around Tuz Gölü. With the rising water levels of the Lake, the islets formed in the region which facilitate the feeding and reproduction of flamingos and also protect their eggs from reptiles. Thus a favorable environment is created for flamingoes to increase their population. During the investigations made within the scope of the "Research, Conservation and Monitoring Project of Flamingo Populations" carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, it has been determined that the number of flamingo cubs are increasing exponentially every year in the Tuz Gölü Special Environmental Protection Area.
You follow the link below for “Tuz Gölü with Photos” album which presents the unique beauties of Tuz Gölü habitat as a visual feast:
https://www.botas.gov.tr/uploads/dosyaYoneticisi/82781-kuslar-ve-tuz-golu-tam.pdf
