Participatory Eco-Tourism Managment in Beypazari - Inözü Valley, an Important Bird Area (TUR-05-03)

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Project Details & Results

The Beypazari Province is located 100 km west of Ankara city center. Traditional architecture and cultural characteristics of the region are largely protected. Therefore, Beypazari became one of the nationally important tourism attraction points over the last years.
Inözü Valley located to the north of the province is of exceptional value for its biodiversity and archeological ruins. The riparian part of the valley is protected as a Natural Sit and rocky hillsides are protected as an Archeological Sit. The site is internationally important for bird species. At least ten pairs of Black storks (Ciconia nigra) that nest on the cliffs make the valley qualify as an Important Bird Area. Furthermore, many raptors breed in the valley. Some key breeding bird species are Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus), long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), raven (Corvus corax) and ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea). There is also rich diversity of plant and butterfly species in the site.
Inözü Valley is already one of the main attraction centers of the Beypazari. Nevertheless, the locals of Beypazari are not aware of the biological richness of the valley and existence of large bird species that breed very close to main settlement area. Human activities and demands for daily tourism are increasing over the last years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to inform local people about ways of nature-friendly use of the valley and develop the infrastructure for nature tourism, in order to ensure the sustainable use of the site in the long run and prevent any possible
Threats that may arise from increasing tourism activities.
Development of nature tourism with the participation of local people at the Inözü Valley is one of the main demands Beypazari. The project aims to inform the local people, stakeholders and decision makers in the region on the importance of the valley. A protocol is signded by the Nature Society and the Beypazari Municipality. A "Nature House" will be created to give tourists information on where, when and how tey can observe different annimal or plant species in the region and Beypazari wildlife.
The natural richness of the district will be shown through the launch of the local products such as silver rosettes featuring vulture and squirrel motifs. Stichers with pictures of birds and butterflies will be prepared for local food packages. Postcards, brochures and posters portraying nature in the district will also be created.
A historic mansion in the center of the district will be redesigned and converted into a "Nature house" that will provide visitors with information on the nature of the region and suggest various walking paths. Several sign post will be set up in the central area and at Inozu Valley in the north of Beypazari to familiaraize the visitors with the species of the region.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The projects aims to diversify the existing tourist attraction to the area by promoting bird watching trips to the IBA, taking into account the carrying capacity of the region. The IBA is infact located in an area not easy to reach, but can be observed from a reasonable distance, thus not threatening the birds but allowing visitors to watch them. This activity shall be added to rregular tours to provide an extra income to locals. Also, the area is famous with its silver works, the project includes diversifying the products to include bird figures to raise awareness on the importance of the area.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Visitors to the region will now have the opportunity to observe mamals and birds (vulture, black storks) as well as rare and endemic plants such as Beypazari's rara astragalus plant that grows exclusively alongside roads and blooms in spring.

Project Results
The project achieved wide publicity and managed to create a certain interest for ecotourism activities in an area that has already an increasing interest for cultural tourism. The grantee identified the walking routes for bird watching and has also started organising tours of ecotourism through Nature Tourism company.

With the establishment of the Nature House (a small building with the traditional local architecture) which hosts both the nature tourism information and information about other touristic activities, as well as the local touristic products, the provision of proper information to daily tourists has become more organised and controllable.

The local silver jewellery making hand craft of the area is now also using figures and images from the nature linking conservation with the local people.

egyptian vulture

bird watching in Beypazari

a project poster