Officials repeatedly promise demolitions and inspections over the years, yet the bungalows remain. What began as “eco-tourism” now threatens Sapanca’s forests, water, and bird habitats — a small-scale portrait of how Turkey’s nature is being lost.

Among them: NEF-Kempinski, a $130m project promising 200 rooms and villas, and Lake Look, owned by businessmen linked to AKP. Both built on land once classed as first-grade protected.

Our investigation found that over 4,000 bungalows have been built, mostly without permits and many on protected land. In 2025, the government revised Sapanca’s conservation map, downgrading protections to legalise powerful investors’ lakeside resorts.

#GreenToGrey, a cross-border investigation - initiated by Arena for Journalism in Europe and NRK. 41 journalists & scientists from 11 countries. Using satellite imagery, artificial intelligence, and on-the-ground reporting, the investigation reveals the extent of Europe’s nature and cropland

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A year-long investigation. Dozens of testimonies. Multiple countries.

New story coming Monday.

@cpshaw.bsky.social, @cemredemircioglu.bsky.social, @orucvedat.bsky.social, Jana Barakat.