Privatization Approach And Practices In Protected Areas

The increasing population, urbanization, and industrialization have led to a trend of excessive and unsustainable use of natural resources over time. Consequently, there is a necessity to maintain a balance between conservation and utilization of these resources for their sustainable management. In response to this need, various conservation approaches have been adopted, and different conservation tools have been developed. These efforts aim to ensure the sustainable use and preservation of natural resources amidst their growing exploitation. States are faced with a significant need for funds to finance the costs associated with managing conservation areas. Over time, this necessity has led to the inclusion of various models involving the private sector in the management of these protected areas. On the other hand, it is essential to consider the government's efforts regarding the registration of privately owned cultural and natural assets to the public through expropriation and land exchange processes. Simultaneously, some of these assets are included in the privatization program under Law No. 4046, where the Privatization Administration undertakes protective zoning plans and the transfer of ownership or usage rights to the private sector through various privatization methods for a fee. The aim of the study is to define the limits of applications within areas protected under various statuses, drawing on the outcomes of privatization practices conducted in developed countries and in Turkey. Through legal regulations, it seeks to highlight the boundaries of applications and demonstrate how "privatization" can serve as a distinctive conservation policy and financial instrument compared to other traditional and financial tools.