What types of activities may now be carried out on these areas that have been removed from the forest regime?

Since these areas are no longer subject to the provisions of the forest regime, they have become potentially available for various activities, such as urban development, agriculture, industry or other public projects, in accordance with the relevant planning and land-use legislation. However, the final use is subject to local planning decisions.

Will the properties of citizens living in the provinces where this Decision was made be directly affected by this situation?

Although the Decision does not directly affect landowners' properties, it may indirectly affect the value or environmental conditions of properties located near areas removed from forest boundaries. In particular, planned projects or changes in land use may have an impact on neighboring properties.

PRESIDENTIAL DECISIONS17 September 2026

Surprise Forest Steppe by Presidential Decision in 25 Provinces

Official titleDecision on the Removal of Certain Areas Located in the Provinces of Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Balıkesir, Bingöl, Bolu, Bursa, Çorum, Denizli, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Eskişehir, Gümüşhane, Isparta, İstanbul, Karaman, Kayseri, Konya, Kütahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mersin, Muğla, Sinop, Sivas, Tokat, Trabzon and Uşak from Forest Boundaries (Decision No: 11787)

By Presidential Decision, certain areas located in 25 provinces were removed from forest boundaries pursuant to Additional Article 16 of the Forest Law No. 6831. This Decision entered into force on the date it was published.

Details of the Regulation

This Presidential Decision (Decision No: 11787) provides for the removal of certain regions in the provinces of Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Balıkesir, Bingöl, Bolu, Bursa, Çorum, Denizli, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Eskişehir, Gümüşhane, Isparta, İstanbul, Karaman, Kayseri, Konya, Kütahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mersin, Muğla, Sinop, Sivas, Tokat, Trabzon and Uşak from forest boundaries. The boundaries and coordinates of these areas are specified in detail in the maps and lists annexed to the Decision.

The legal basis of the Decision is Additional Article 16 of the Forest Law No. 6831. This article permits, under certain conditions, the removal from forest boundaries of lands that have lost their forest character. The primary purpose of the Decision is to ensure that the designated areas are no longer subject to the provisions of the forest regime.

It has been stipulated that, from among properties under the control and disposition of the state or privately owned by the Treasury, an area at least twice the size of the areas removed from forest boundaries shall be allocated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change (General Directorate of National Property) to the General Directorate of Forestry for the establishment of forests. This operates as a compensatory mechanism aimed at preserving ecological balance. The Decision entered into force on 16 September 2026.

REGAS Commentary

This Decision also changes the future use potential of lands removed from forest boundaries in the 25 provinces concerned. For citizens and local governments, the fact that these areas are no longer subject to the restrictions of the forest regime may open the door to various projects, such as urban development, agriculture and industry. However, for environmentally sensitive citizens and civil society organizations, this situation may also give rise to concerns about the loss or reduction of forest areas. The Decision also introduces a balancing mechanism by requiring that, in return for the loss of forest area, an area at least twice as large be allocated for the establishment of forests.

Questions You Might Have

What types of activities may now be carried out on these areas that have been removed from the forest regime?: Since these areas are no longer subject to the provisions of the forest regime, they have become potentially available for various activities, such as urban development, agriculture, industry or other public projects, in accordance with the relevant planning and land-use legislation. However, the final use is subject to local planning decisions.
Under the Decision, how much new forest area will need to be created for every square metre removed from forest boundaries?: Under the Decision, properties under the control and disposition of the state or belonging to the Treasury, covering an area at least twice the size of the areas removed from forest boundaries, must be allocated to the General Directorate of Forestry for the establishment of forests.
Will the properties of citizens living in the provinces where this Decision was made be directly affected by this situation?: Although the Decision does not directly affect landowners' properties, it may indirectly affect the value or environmental conditions of properties located near areas removed from forest boundaries. In particular, planned projects or changes in land use may have an impact on neighboring properties.

Key Terms

Orman Sınırları Dışına Çıkarma: This is the procedure whereby lands that have lost, or are determined to have lost, their forest character are removed from forest-area status pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Forest Law No. 6831 and allocated for different uses.
6831 Sayılı Orman Kanunu Ek 16. Madde: This is the article added to the Forest Law that contains provisions such as determining the areas to be removed from forest boundaries and allocating twice that amount of land in their place for the establishment of forests.
Tahsis: This is the granting of the right to use a property for a specified purpose to a particular person or institution, generally without consideration. In this Decision, it refers to the allocation of land for the establishment of forests.

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