Turkish villagers urge COP31 leaders to visit coal-mining area near Akbelen forest
Villagers in Ikizkoy, in Turkey’s southwestern Mugla province, are calling on leaders gathering for COP31 in Antalya to visit their community and see the effects of lignite mining. Local elected official Nejla Isik urged heads of state to come to Ikizkoy rather than only Antalya. Villagers and environmental campaigners say mining expansion has destroyed forest and threatens olive groves, farmland and communities.