Türkiye allocates $456 million for reforestation and major firefighting expansion

Türkiye has announced a substantial 19.8 billion Turkish Lira (approximately $456 million) investment plan for 2026, targeting national reforestation and a major upgrade to its wildfire fighting capacity. The General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) will oversee the initiative, which aims to produce 118 million saplings and expand the firefighting fleet with new helicopters and planes.

Major Investments in Forestry Infrastructure

The largest share of the budget, 3.6 billion lira, is dedicated to forestry infrastructure and machinery. This project, spanning 62 provinces, includes the purchase of fire trucks, excavators, and first-response vehicles. It also funds extensive work on the forest road network, with plans for major repairs on thousands of kilometers of roads and the construction of new ones to improve access for conservation and emergency teams.

Sapling Production and Climate-Resilient Forestry

A critical component is the sapling production and maintenance program, allocated 3 billion lira for projects in 67 provinces. This funding will support the production of 118 million new saplings and the care of 143 million existing ones. Concurrently, 2.3 billion lira is earmarked for climate-resilient forestry projects through 2030, which will procure specialized firefighting equipment, bulldozers, and establish new fire observation towers across 16 provinces.

Strengthening Firefighting and Erosion Control

Enhancing fire response is a top priority, with 800 million lira set aside to acquire 19 helicopters and 5 firefighting planes by 2028. An additional 1.175 billion lira will fund forest protection projects, including drones, camera traps, and fire ponds. The plan also addresses land conservation, allocating 1 billion lira for erosion control and soil preservation efforts across 66 provinces to combat land degradation and improve flood control.