Nejla Işık is a Turkish environmental activist and community leader who has been involved in efforts to prevent deforestation in the Akbelen Forest. She was elected as the mukhtar of İkizköy in 2024 and was recognized internationally for her role in environmental advocacy.
Nejla Işık | |
|---|---|
 Işık in 2023 | |
| Occupation(s) | Environmental activist, community leader |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Known for | Akbelen resistance |
| Children | 2 |
| Honours | BBC 100 Women (2024) |
Career
editIşık emerged as an environmental activist and community leader in İkizköy. She became involved in the resistance against deforestation of the Akbelen Forest, which had been allocated for coal mining activities by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to supply nearby power plants, such as Kemerköy or Yeniköy. This resistance, known as the Akbelen Resistance, began in 2017 as the forest faced threats from expanding mining projects.[1][2][3]
In 2019, Işık, alongside other activists, started a watch to prevent deforestation. Their efforts included legal action and protests. By 2023, the movement experienced intense clashes with authorities and the mining company, including fines and other deterrent measures.[1][2] Following these struggles, a court decision in 2024 canceled plans to expropriate land for further mining.[1]
On March 31, 2024, Işık was elected as the mukhtar of İkizköy, winning against her rival candidate by 93 to 71 votes.[3] Her candidacy was supported by the İkizköy Environment Committee that she previously chaired and driven by her commitment to resisting the mining projects threatening the area.[1][4] Her leadership has been marked by continued activism, including public speeches advocating for the preservation of local natural and cultural resources.[1][2]
In December 2024, Işık was named one of the BBC's "100 Women of 2024," under the category of climate pioneers. The list highlighted her five-year struggle to protect the Akbelen Forest and her resilience in the face of opposition from both corporate and state actors.[1]
Personal life
editAs of 2024, Işık is a mother of two children in their 20s and belongs to a family that actively participated in the Akbelen Resistance, including members of the older generation in their 80s.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Turkish forest campaigner named to BBC's 100 Women 2024 list". Turkish Minute. 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b c d "'I didn't even realize how strong I was'". Agos. 2024-06-18. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b "Akbelen direnişçisi Nejla Işık, İkizköy muhtarı seçildi" [Akbelen resistance fighter Nejla Işık was elected as the headman of İkizköy]. Gazete Oksijen (in Turkish). 2024-01-04. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "Akbelen Ormanı'nda nöbetin ikinci yılı geride kaldı: Toprak, su, hava, onurlu bir yaşam mücadelesi" [The second year of the vigil in Akbelen has passed: Land, water, air, a struggle for an honorable life]. Yeşil Gazete (in Turkish). 2023-07-17. Retrieved 2024-12-08.