Locals of Çaylıoğlu Village in Sinop province have started a resistance movement against the limestone quarry that is put in operation in their village. Setting up tents in the area to protest, the resisting villagers say, ‘We don’t want to lose the shades of our trees.’

Villagers resist limestone quarry in Çaylıoğlu village of Sinop

UĞUR ŞAHİN
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Holding a demonstration against the limestone quarry put in operation in the Çaylıoğlu Village of Ayancık district in Sinop province by the firm named Mitto, the villagers set up tents in the area. Among the resisting villagers, Şevket Çaylı has stated that the dynamites used at the quarry harm the village greatly and also cause a shortage of water. Çaylı said, “Because of the dynamites, the houses here have cracked. We show them but they say ‘they must have already cracked before.’ Especially the gravel crusher gives enormous harm to the area. We are not able to do agriculture because of this machine. And, the distance between the houses and the area where the dynamites are exploded is too close. After the explosion of the dynamite, houses shake. And, of course, the villagers don’t want this; who would want a quarry next to their house?”

Another dweller of the village, Haşim Çaylı, also complains about the harm of the quarry, emphasizing that it has disrupted the natural balance and left their village under dust. Çaylı continues to say, “Most of the houses in the upper side of the village have cracked because of the shaking of the ground. We used to have water wells in our village. Now, they are dried up. And, the water that we pomp up through pipes from further distances also get affected. The natural balance is being destroyed and the village is getting full of dust. They will turn this town into an unbearable place to live in. So, we are going to stay in our tent until this is stopped.”

‘The area also has historical and cultural value’

Having grown up in this village, Hatice Karateke says, “We don’t want to lose the shade of the trees”, and adds, “We spent our childhood in that area. We don’t want to lose the berry and fig trees. If we lose our past and our roots, we lose everything. What benefit do we get from the quarry? None! But we need our figs, our trees. Aside from its natural aspect, this area also has an historical and cultural value.”

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There are also archaeological sites in Çaylıoğlu village

Although no official archaeological research has been conducted in the village so far, it is known that there are rock graves belonging to the Pontus Kings dating back to B.C. There is also an ancient church in the region. It is located in İstefan area, near Çaylıoğlu. At the moment, it is mostly covered with ground and water, while one of its chapels remain over the surface. The locals of the region have named this church as the ‘Water Church’ because the region is rich in water resources and the church itself is also covered with water. In the area, where there has been no archaeological research or excavation, there exits also an ancient mound.

Source: https://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/tasocagina-karsi-direnis-baslattilar-119405.html