In 1994, the Turkish IBA Project was actively involved in the conserva- 
tion of the 79 IBAs in Turkey, carrying out activities in the following 
fields: Network Building, Information and Awareness, Research, 
Advocacy and Campaigning. 
The ratification of the Ramsar Convention by the Turkish Parliament 
and the campaign for the protection of Burdur Lake, one of the origi- 
nal five Turkish Ramsar sites, were amongst the highlights of the year 
1994. 
The court case opened against the airport development on the shores 
of Burdar lake, the single most important wintering site for the global- 
ly threatened White-headed Duck on earth, has already become a 
milestone in the history of Turkish nature conservation. After two 
injunctions issued by the Council of State, the case was dismissed due 
to a procedural shortcoming, but DHKD applied again to the council 
on appeal. Other plans concerning the construction of an industrial 
complex in the area were successfully countered by DHKD and have 
now been shelved. For the time being Burdur Lake and its White- 
headed Ducks are safe. 
We believe that with the support of the Garanti Bank and the BirdLife 
network, 1995, the 20th anniversary of DHKD, will be another success- 
ful year for the conservation of birds and their habitats in Turkey. 
For further details contact: Murat Yarar, DHKD Bird and Wetland 
Section Co-ordinator, Society for the Protection of Nature, P.K. 18, 
Bebek 80810 Istanbul, Turkey. Tel:(+90) 212-279 01 39/40 
Fax: (+90) 212-279 55 44 
OSME News 
1995 Summer Meeting. This will be held on Saturday 15 July at the 
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Russell Square, 
London - see accompanying programme for full details and directions. 
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