Mayor Büyükkılıç: "We Will Promote Sultan Marshes Bird Sanctuary to Everyone"
Covering the districts of Develi, Yahyalı, and Yeşilhisar in Kayseri, the Sultan Marshes region is undergoing a comprehensive transformation under the coordination of the Metropolitan Municipality. Intense efforts are being made in a wide range of areas—from infrastructure and transportation to environmental improvements, new tourism facilities, and promotional activities.
During his on-site inspections in the region, Mayor Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç closely followed the infrastructure and paving works at the entrance of Ovaçiftlik Neighborhood. He also evaluated the site for a new tourism facility to be operated through Kaytur.
“We Will Promote Sultan Marshes and Make It a More Recognized Destination”
In his remarks during the inspections, Mayor Büyükkılıç emphasized that Sultan Marshes is a highly valuable area not just for Kayseri but for all of Turkey. He noted that the marshes, by the directive of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, are among the strictly protected areas and are home to around 300 bird species, making it a significant tourism destination.
Mayor Büyükkılıç continued:
“We thank the business owners providing tourism services here. In cooperation with them, we will undertake the necessary work to make the area more attractive with a new vision. With contributions from our electric company, KASKİ, and our Department of Public Works, the entrance to our village will be upgraded to reflect the pride of our community. Visitors will be able to benefit from our services more comfortably. We will promote this place, share it, and work to make it a more recognized destination.
With the instructions of our Governor, the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) has also provided, and will continue to provide, the necessary support for the water needs of our bird sanctuary.”
“We Will Distribute Products to Citizens as Grants”
Mayor Büyükkılıç also highlighted that they will support local farmers:
“In a joint project with the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, we have instructed efforts toward crops that require less water. We will distribute these products—such as barley, wheat, and forage crops—to our citizens as grants. I want to share here that we will carry out this distribution soon, within the scope of our capabilities.”
Yeşilhisar Mayor Halit Taşyapan expressed his gratitude for all the rural investments made by the Metropolitan Municipality in the region, saying:
“On behalf of 21 villages from Ovaçiftlik to Soğanlı and from Erdemli to Doğanlı, we thank you for all your rural support. We believe that with your touch, places like Ovaçiftlik and Soğanlı will once again thrive. May your efforts never be in vain.”
Ovaçiftlik Neighborhood Headman Fatih Sarı added:
“I sincerely thank our Metropolitan Mayor on behalf of my village and myself. May God bless them all. Thank you, and may you always be there for us. Our roadworks have also begun, thank you again.”
Mayor Büyükkılıç was accompanied during his visit by Yeşilhisar Mayor Halit Taşyapan, Deputy Secretary General of the Metropolitan Municipality Mustafa Türkmen, KASKİ General Manager Yavuz Çağan, and department heads.
Kayseri Metropolitan Municipality aims to both protect and enhance the appeal of Sultan Marshes—an extraordinary natural wonder—making it more attractive for both local and foreign tourists. In this regard, in addition to infrastructure and transportation investments, new social facilities, landscaping projects, and promotional campaigns are also being planned.
