Türkiye’s General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) announced on 28 September 2026 the expansion of its «protection forests», forest areas set aside mainly to protect soil, water and the environment rather than for timber.
The number of these forests rose from 55 to 60, and their total area grew from 246,446.85 to 258,387.25 hectares, an increase of about 11,940 hectares.
OGM frames the move as part of the country’s climate goals, which include reaching net-zero emissions by 2053. The announcement does not say in which provinces the new areas are located.
