The effect of tourism and legalization policies on summer pasture in Turkey

In Turkey, according to Pasture Law, land allocated for farmers to spend the summer with their animals, graze their animals and benefit from grass is defined as “summer pasture (yaylak in Turkish).” Summer pasture is of national importance for its biodiversity, landscape, cultural heritage and transhumance. However, especially after 1990s, the summer pasture areas have been extensively used in tourism activities in Turkey. By changing land use, the increasing tourism activities combined with legal uncertainties and the legalization policies have caused summer pasture areas transferred into built-up areas. The effect of the tourism and legalization policies on the land use changes in summer pasture areas was evaluated in this study. It was determined that Turkey's tourism and legalization policies have adverse effect on sustainable use of summer pasture areas. These policies aimed at economic development and solving property problems of rural areas caused new legal problems and expansion of built-up areas. A better land use policy and an effective control mechanism are necessary for the sustainable use of summer pasture areas.