Mehmet Somuncu

Sustainable Development in the Eastern Black Sea Mountains: Present State and Perspectives

The Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey, with a mountainous coastline of 39,203 km2 (5.1 % of the country) and population of 3.2 million (2000 census), has the highest peaks (above 3900 m) in the central part of the region. Annual rainfall in the coastal areas ranges from 2000 to 2500 mm resulting in most dense forests in the region. Natural features in the Eastern Black Sea region make living conditions harsh; in addition, the area is difficult to access because of its distance from developed areas and an insufficient infrastructure. The mountain areas in this region suffer from lack of adequate basic services such as transportation, communication, education, and healthcare (Somuncu and Inci 2004). Mountains in the Eastern Black Sea Region are less developed areas. As a result of inadequate incomes and limited availability of basic services such as transportation, health services, and education, local people have been continuously migrating from mountains since the 1950s. Sustainable development is needed to reduce and stop emigrations from the region.

Tourism and the Commodification of Cultural Heritage in the Eastern Black Sea Mountains, Turkey

In Turkey, until the beginning of the 1990s, the coastal areas were the top destination for many people during their summer vacation. However, this preference has started to shift toward the mountain areas. Nowadays, mountainous regions of the Eastern Black Sea Region, especially the summer pastures, “Yayla (plural: Yaylalar)” have become popular vacation spots for domestic tourists. Highlands and summer pastures possess a rich natural and cultural heritage in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. Therefore, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is promoting rural tourism in the region. With the expansion of the tourism industry, tourist activities have also gained momentum in some summer pastures, turning them into important tourism centers with increased tourism investments. This activity has also brought a rapid change in land use patterns and functions of summer pastures along with the lifestyle of the local people. This shift has resulted in positive changes such as development in the area on one hand and negative changes in environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural values on the other. Therefore, it is assumed that rural tourism (yayla tourism) and the protection of our cultural heritage have correlation in terms of conflict and mutual benefits.

Current Status of Management and Protection of Taxila World Heritage Site, Pakistan

Taxila is one of the six World Heritage Sites of Pakistan. Taxila World Heritage Site is facing several problems resulting from various management issues and the current land use problems like almost all developing countries. It is necessary at first to identify current status and related issues for effective management and conservation of Taxila World Heritage Site. New management strategies and policies have to be determined based on these updated data. Research was conducted in March 2010 at Taxila World Heritage Site and observations were made to query about current situation and related problems. Results of research findings are considered bases for development of effective management policies and strategies for the conservation and protection of Taxila World Heritage Site.