3195 hectare of Yüksekova Marshes in Yüksekova - Hakkari, has international 'B' class statute and most of immigrant birds' breeding area. This field is covered by marshes, reedbeds and wet pasture, with orchid. This wetland is an important breeding area for marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Montague's harrier (Circus pygargus), great bustard (Otis tarda) and crane (Grus grus) (Yarar and Magnin, 1997).
The most important livelihood of Yüksekova is stockbreeding. Because of immigration, as a result of discharging of villages, between 1990-1995 and intensifying population at wetland river basin, ecological change of wetland was accelerated. Intensified population at this river basin did not find any activity except for traditional agriculture and stockbreeding and all sources were used for realization of these activities.
As a result of drainage works at wetlands, discharge of waste of slaughterhouse existing near wetland to this field, put animals out to pasture excessively and untimely and opening the field for agriculture, 2/3 of the fields was withered and its characteristic was demolished.
The most important issue of the site is lack of awareness of local stake holders about biological value of the site. Therefore, the education and raising awareness activities will be done at villages, schools, local media, decision makers and other public organizations during the Project. These activities will be oriented to wetlands, biological diversity, pasture improvement and animal feeding issues.
One of the most important threats on the site is to change pastures to agricultural areas to plant clover and sainfoin. Thus, the feasibility studies including experimental plantation of corn silage which is high product food will be done to become widespread. Then, the activities like burning and drainage to extend agricultural areas could be decreased. If feasibility studies would support the silage production will be applied on the site as a next phases of the Project.