The project to link Sarıkamış Forest with Artvin-Şavşat forests by creating a “wildlife corridor” was initiated in 2008 by KuzeyDoğa Society. The project was developed by Assoc. Dr. Çağan Hakkı Şekercioğlu. Following the protocol signed with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Formerly Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs) in 2011, the project started to be implemented in 2012. Afforestation works for Turkey’s first wildlife corridor project have been continued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
When the project is completed, forest blocks along the route from Kars-Sarıkamış to Artvin-Şavşat will be combined through afforestation. A monolithic forest will be formed at the end. The completion of the project is very important for the continuity of the sustainability of wild animals and their conservation.
Turkey’s first wildlife corridor will cover 23,533 hectares. About two-thirds of the area is already forest. When it is completed it will protect an area larger than the Allahuekber Mountains National Park. It has been given the protection status of “Conservation Forest” by the General Directorate of Conservation and National Parks.
The corridor will provide habitat for wildlife.
Since only one third of it was afforested, it will be planted for 81 km from Kars to the Georgian border, which will be one of the largest forests of the Caucasus.
Turkey’s first wildlife corridor project, which was developed by KuzeyDoğa Society in 2008 and started to be implemented by the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs in 2012, was presented at TRT World.