Environmental Politics – Wetland Management in Turkey Case Study: Sultansazligi

This study summarizes the historical development of environmental management concept in Turkey. In this sense, some facts and figures about the wetlands of Turkey are given to describe the types of problems of the wetlands. A set of constructive comments on the water resources management of wetlands with reference to state water management policy are listed. Current laws and regulations related to conservation of wetlands are introduced. Sultansazligi Wetland has been selected as case study area; field data were collected and water pollution analysis was made in order to define the origin of the ecological problems of Sultansazligi. It is concluded that Turkey, being aware of the importance of biological diversity and having a high eco-tourism potential around wetlands, has to make an integrated conservation program to minimize the existing and possible environmental problems.