A solar power plant project is planned for the shared pastureland of the Ağaçlı, Kaynak, and Narlıca neighborhoods in the Kulp (Pasur) district of Diyarbakır (Amed).

The plant, proposed by a construction company named VBZ, is set to cover an area of 25.71 hectares and will consist of 30,909 solar panels along with a lithium-ion energy storage facility with a capacity of 17 megawatt-hours. The project, which targets land for pasture, has sparked strong reactions from villagers and local residents.

Application filed Bar Association

On 11 March, the Bar Association filed a petition with the Diyarbakır Administrative Court requesting the cancellation of the "Positive EIA" decision and a suspension of execution. 

In the application submitted by the Bar Association, it was emphasized that the photos labeled as “barren land” used in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) file did not reflect the actual pasture area. The application included the following regarding the area where the company received a “positive EIA” decision: "Additionally, in the pasture area planned to be opened to Solar Power Plant (SPP) activity, there is a large and functional pond at the center that supplies water to all animals in the village, which can be clearly seen during on-site inspection and in satellite images. However, on page 67 of the EIA report, it states, ‘there is no wetland in the project area,’ deliberately concealing the pond. After we identified and submitted this issue in writing during the Evaluation and Decision Committee (EDC) phase, unrelated photos from the EIA announcements (online system) were removed and replaced with photos of the actual location."

The application also stated that there are dry stream beds in the area where the panels are to be installed and that the project route intersects with these stream beds. It emphasized that the area is located in a region with active fault lines and landslide risk. The report noted that the project site is situated on map sheet K45 of the 1:100,000 scale Environmental Plan for the Adıyaman, Urfa, and Amed Planning Region, and that the adjacent parcels are agricultural lands. "The densest silk farming and cocoon production in Turkey is carried out in this village, where the subject project is planned," it said.

The application drew attention to the fact that the rural neighborhood that will be most affected by the SPP is also concealed in the EIA report: "The village most affected by the project is Buduka village, which is just 48 meters away from the project site. On page 13 of the EIA report, it states: ‘The project site is 1,760 meters from the center of Eskiağaçlı neighborhood, and approximately 48 meters from the nearest structure.’ These structures located 48 meters away belong to Buduka rural neighborhood. However, this fact is concealed in the EIA report, attempting to legitimize the occupation of Buduka’s pasture area."

The application further stated that the proposed project will destroy the community’s livelihood and force residents to migrate from their living areas. It also warned that the large-scale electricity production project, especially due to its storage system, would pose a direct health risk to residents through high-voltage lines and electromagnetic waves.

The application also noted that the project is planned to be completed in eight months and requested a suspension of execution.

Additionally, the Diyarbakır Bar Association filed a criminal complaint with the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for “forgery of private documents” and “misuse of public duty” for inserting misleading photos of barren land into the EIA report, despite the area being green and water-rich.

They want to sever us from our roots

Villagers said that they will fight to protect both their own living spaces and those of their animals. Şermin Şeker (30), an agricultural engineer and resident of Ağaçlı village, emphasized that the aim is to depopulate the region and implement destructive projects, voicing her opposition to the plan with the following words:

“Our pasture is being occupied here, and our animals will have nowhere left to graze. The heat generated by the plant will severely affect us as well. The project site is not far from our homes, our living spaces, our houses are under threat. Our essence is tied to this land, and they want to sever us from it. As a young woman, I am fighting against this project, and I will continue this struggle. We know very well that this project offers us no benefit. That is why we reject it.”

They cannot confine us to the cities

Among those who joined the protest was 70-year-old Hatun Demirhan, a resident of the village who stood side by side with others despite her age and walking stick. Expressing her anger at the project, she said: “Where do they expect us to go? This land is ours. We do not want anything here that will harm us. We make a living from our own labor; we earn money through our animals.

These companies only care about their own interests, not ours. We have been here for years, but they just arrived and now want to drive us out. They want to remove us from this place. But we are not city people; we could never survive in a city. This land is where we breathe, it is everything to us. We will not allow this project to go forward. We will do whatever is necessary.

I am 70 years old. Even if not for myself, I must resist for my children and grandchildren. This land must be passed down to the next generation. They cannot confine us to the cities.”

All living beings will be harmed

Nuriye Şeker, a 75-year-old resident, also shared her thoughts on the planned project:

"What I want is humanity. Today, they want to destroy these villages for their own profit. We survive here through our gardens and our animals. While we live simply and peacefully, they want to push us into the cities.

We will not allow this project to happen, not even if it costs us our last drop of blood. Even if I have only one day left to live, I will not accept this project. It will harm every living being here. If we lose our green space, what will we feed our animals?"