SOCIOECONOMIC EFFECTS OF FOREST FIRES: MARMARIS EXAMPLE

Abstract

Fire, one of the most common types of deforestation, has a significant impact on countries' societies, economies and environments. The large forest fires that occurred in Turkey in the summer months of 2021 also had negative effects on many areas, including the country's economy, the natural environment and people's social lives. The main purpose of this research is to reveal the economic and social problems experienced by the people in the environment affected by forest fires through the example of Marmaris and to make suggestions for their evaluation. Qualitative research method was adopted in the study and face-to-face interviews were conducted with local people using semi-structured interview technique. The sample of the research consisted of 15 participants selected using the snowball sampling method from the local people in Osmaniye, Bayır, Hisarönü, İçmeler, Turgut, Orhaniye, Turunç and Yeşilbelde, which were determined to be the places most affected by the fire in Marmaris district. As a result of the research, it was revealed that people living in forest villages and making their living from the forest were most affected by the fires. It has been concluded that these people not only experience changes in their livelihoods and loss of economic income, but also experience some social difficulties.