Environmental Threats and Obligations of the Government of Turkey in Implementing the GAP Project in Relation to Environmental Impacts in Iran (Dust Storms)

GAP’s basic aim is to eliminate regional development disparities by raising incomes and living standards and to contribute to the national development targets of social stability and economic growth by enhancing the productive and employment generating capacity of the rural sector. Current activities under GAP include sectors like agriculture and irrigation, hydroelectric power production, urban and rural infrastructure, forestry, education and health. However, environmental implications of the GAP are rather controversial both domestically and internationally. The purpose of this article is to examine the threats and commitments of the Government of Turkey in implementing the GAP project. The present paper, through descriptive and analytical method, examines the provisions of international conventions and documents in this regard. Finally, it has been concluded that a wide range of environmental obligations that are included in various international instruments also prevail in the area of damming, which Turkey should discharge.