Türkiye May Allow Tourist Leases in National Parks for Up to 99 Years
🇹🇷 Türkiye may allow tourist leases in national parks for up to 99 years
Türkiye’s Parliament is reviewing a draft law that could significantly reshape the rules governing national parks. The proposal would allow tourist facilities to obtain usage rights (usufruct) for up to 99 years and expand the scope of infrastructure development within protected areas.
The bill has already been approved by the parliamentary agriculture and forestry commission and is moving forward for further debate.
📜 What would change
Under the proposal, tourism projects would initially receive usage rights for up to 49 years. If a project is deemed successful by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the term could be extended to 99 years following an evaluation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. At the end of the lease period, the facilities would transfer to state control under the General Directorate of Nature Conservation.
Construction would be permitted outside strictly protected zones, provided the projects serve the public interest and comply with land‑use plans.
The draft law also broadens the list of infrastructure projects allowed inside national parks. In cases of “public necessity,” authorities could approve the construction of roads, power lines, oil and gas pipelines, communication networks, transformer stations, and water infrastructure within protected territories.
🔌 power lines · oil/gas pipelines · telecom · roads · water systems
🛡️ Stronger oversight and penalties
The proposal expands inspection powers by adding wildlife protection officers and field supervisors alongside forest rangers.
At the same time, penalties for environmental violations would be tightened. Damaging the ecological balance, harming wildlife, illegal construction, or unlawful use of forest resources could result in prison sentences ranging from one to three years and judicial fines of up to 5,000 days.
⚖️ 1–3 years prison · up to 5,000 days fine for ecological damage
Visitors entering a national park without paying the entrance fee would face an administrative fine equal to 14 times the ticket price.
🌲 Why it matters
Türkiye’s national parks are protected areas established to preserve biodiversity, forests, wetlands, unique landscapes, and cultural and historical heritage.
“If adopted, the legislation could mark a turning point — opening the door to increased tourism investment while intensifying debate over how to balance economic development with environmental protection.”
📌 49‑yr initial lease · 99‑yr possible extension · transfer to state
🏞️ biodiversity · forests · wetlands · cultural heritage
© 2026 – Türkiye national park reform · draft law in parliament · published feb 2026
🗳️ awaiting general assembly debate
