Examination of Hafik Lake (Sivas-Türkiye) as a Sensitive Area to be Definitely Protected

Abstract

In today's world, where global environmental problems are experienced, it is a necessity to transfer our natural resources to future generations without deterioration. In this study, Hafik Lake, which was declered and registered in May 2020 as a sensitive area to be definitely protected in Sivas province of Türkiye, was examined. A total area of 114.07 hectares in and around Lake Hafik has been determined and declered as a sensitive area to be definitely protected. Hafik Lake is a small, natural, karstic and open lake located in the north of Hafik district of Sivas province in the Central Anatolia Region. Although it is a small lake, it is important because it is one of the gypsum karst lakes that are rarely seen in Türkiye. The water of Hafik Lake, which is almost completely covered with reeds and mud at the bottom, is fresh. Hafik Lake, which is intertwined with history, also carries the distinction of being the only example in Türkiye of the type of lake houses called Palafit. Hafik Lake is a sensitive area to be definitely protected and it is one of the privileged areas in Sivas province of Türkiye, where recreational activities can be carried out besides its rich flora, fauna, natural and cultural values. In conclusion, preservation of Hafik Lake's fascinating topographical structure, rich flora, fauna, richness in cultural motifs, historical values and extraordinary natural structure can only be possible by establishing the balance of protection and use of these values. Continuity and transfer to future generations will be possible by ensuring the balance of protection and use in Hafik Lake.

Keywords

• Hafik Lake
• Nature Conservation
• Protected Area
• Protection Status

Hafik Gölü (Sivas-Türkiye)’nün Kesin Olarak Korunması Gereken Hassas Alan Olarak İncelenmesi

Abstract

Küresel ölçekli çevre sorunlarının yaşandığı günümüzde, doğal kaynaklarımızı gelecek nesillere bozulmadan aktarmak bir zorunluluktur. Bu çalışmada Türkiye’nin Sivas ilinde yer alan kesin korunacak hassas alan olarak 2020 yılında ilan ve tescil edilen Hafik Gölü irdelenmiştir. Hafik Gölü ve çevresindeki toplam 114.07 hektarlık alan kesin korunacak hassas alan olarak tespit edilmiştir. Hafik Gölü, İç Anadolu Bölgesi'nde Sivas iline bağlı Hafik ilçesinin kuzeyinde bulunan küçük, doğal, karstik ve açık bir göldür. Küçük bir göl olmasına rağmen Türkiye'nin çok az yerinde rastlanan jips karstı göllerinden olması nedeniyle önem taşımaktadır. Hemen tüm çevresi sazlık ve dibi çamurla kaplı olan Hafik Gölü’nün suyu tatlıdır. Tarihle iç içe olan Hafik Gölü, Palafit adı verilen göl evleri türündeki yerleşim tarzının Türkiye’de ki tek örneği olma özelliğini de taşımaktadır. Hafik Gölü kesin korunacak hassas alan olup, zengin flora, faunası, doğal ve kültürel değerleri yanında rekreasyonel faaliyetlerin de gerçekleştirilebildiği Türkiye’nin Sivas ilindeki ayrıcalıklı alanlardan birisidir. Sonuç olarak; Hafik Gölü’nün büyüleyici topografik yapısı, zengin flora, faunası, kültürel motiflerindeki zenginlik, tarihsel değerleri ve olağanüstü güzellikteki doğal yapısının muhafazası ancak bu değerler de koruma kullanma dengesini tesis edilmesiyle mümkün olabilir. Hafik Gölü’nde koruma kullanma dengesinin sağlanmasıyla sürekliliği ve gelecek kuşaklara aktarılması mümkün olacaktır.

Keywords

• Hafik Gölü
• Doğa Koruma
• Korunan Alan
• Koruma Statüsü

References

1. Akıncı, Z., Kasalak, M.A. 2020. The importance of rural tourism in the context of sustainable development and tourism: Authentic rural tourism project. International Rural Tourism and Development Journal, 4(1): 11-22.
2. Atay, S. 2022. Determination of environmental label criteria in the tourism sector in Turkey. Gazi University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Environmental Engineering, MSc. Thesis, 132p.
3. Atiker, M. 1993. Gypsum karst lakes and Kızılırmak Canyon in the Upper Kızılırmak River. Journal of Science and Technology, 26(309): 623-627.
4. Barlas, M., Dirican, S. 2000. The physico-chemical characteristics of water in which otthers (Lutra lutra) live. Nature and Man Journal, 34(3): 10-18.
5. Cirik, S., Cirik, Ş. 2008. Limnology (Textbook). Ege University Fisheries Faculty Publication No: 21, İzmir, 166p.
6. Çalışkan, E. 2019. Sustainable tourism approaches in ecological sensitive areas, case of Gölyazı. Gazi University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, MSc. Thesis, 173p.
7. Çepken, T. 2008. Determination of limnological features of Hafik Lake (Sivas). Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, MSc. Thesis, 93p.
8. Demir, M. 2010. Investigation of İspir-Yedigöller and its close proximity for protected area criterias. Atatürk University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Landscape Architecture, PhD. Thesis, 164p.

9. Karahasanoğlu, S. 2019. The importance of nature parks as protected area status of the protected area significance and examination of the Sera Lake (Trabzon) in Turkey. Karadeniz Technical University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Landsape Architecture, MSc. Thesis, 116p.
10. Kekilli, S. 2010. Morphological and histological analyses of gonad development of chub, Squalius cephalus (L., 1758) in lake Hafik (Hafik-Sivas). Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Institute of Science and Technology, Deparment of Biology, MSc. Thesis, 60p.
11. Kılınç, S. 1998. A study in the seasonal variation of phytoplankton in Hafik Lake (Sivas-Turkey). Turkish Journal of Botany, 22: 35-41.
12. Official Gazette, 2012. Regulation on the procedures and principles regarding the determination, registration and approval of protected areas. Issue: 28358, 19 July 2012, Ankara, 3p.
13. Official Gazette, 2020. Hafik Lake. Issue: 31126, Number of Decisions: 2527, 13 May 2020, Ankara, 6p.
14. Özmen, N. 2020. The determination of environmental consciousness of tourism enterprises in the scope of sustainable tourism: The case of Safranbolu. Karabük University, Graduate School of Education, Department of Tourism Management, MSc. Thesis, 112p.
15. SPEP, 2021. Sivas province 2020 environmental report. Republic of Turkey Sivas Governorship Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Branch Directorate of Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Permits, Sivas, 188p.
16. Tanyolaç, J. 2009. Limnology (Freshwater Science). Hatipoğlu Printing and Publishing Industry Trade Limited Company, Ankara, 237p.
17. TWPCR, 2008. Turkish water pollution control regulation. Ministry of Environment and Forest, The Republic of Turkey Official Journal No: 26786, 76p.
18. URL-1, 2023. Let's get to know Sivas, Districts, Hafik. https://sivas.ktb.gov.tr/TR-76101/hafik.html, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Sivas Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Access Date: 14.03.2023.
19. URL-2, 2023. Hafik Lake-Pılır Höyük-Sivas, https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/sivas/gezilecekyer/hafk-golu--pilir-hoyuk, Turkey Culture Portal, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Sivas Province Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Access Date: 18.03.2023.
20. URL-3, 2023. Historical bird sanctuary Hafik Lake is flocked by nature lovers. http://www.sivas.gov.tr/tarihi-kus-cenneti-hafik-golu-dogaseverlerin-akinina-ugruyor, Republic of Turkey Governorship of Sivas, Access Date: 20.03.2023.