Yeşilova İsmail Akın Tourism Vocational School Mobilized for Salda Lake

Known for its natural beauty and turquoise color, Salda Lake has come to the fore this time with a different event. Students and professors from Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) Yeşilova İsmail Akın Tourism Vocational School organized an environmental cleaning event to take care of Salda Lake.

Salda Lake, referred to as Turkey's "evil eye bead," attracts attention nationally and internationally with its turquoise color and unique natural beauty. It has been included in the world geological heritage list and is known for its resemblance to Mars. Unfortunately, the lake, which hosts thousands of tourists every year, faces environmental pollution left behind by some visitors.

Students and Academic Staff Hand in Hand for the Environment

Taking advantage of the end of the tourism season, Yeşilova İsmail Akın Tourism Vocational School students and academic staff came together for the cleanliness of the lake. In the event attended by 153 students and staff, participants collected waste left by visitors around Doğan Baba Beach with vests and gloves distributed to them.

The Director of the Vocational School, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mert Gürlek, said about the event, "We are together with our professors and students in a different event. Salda Lake hosts thousands of visitors every season, but visitors leave their trash behind. We initiated this event with the slogan 'Love Salda, Protect Nature' to draw attention to environmental sustainability and awareness. We are happy that our students take care of such a world-renowned natural beauty. We invite all our stakeholders to protect Salda. As Yeşilova İsmail Akın Tourism Vocational School, we are proud to add value to our province not only with education but also with our social awareness activities."

"We Must Increase Our Environmental Awareness"

Pınar Karaduman, one of the students participating in the event, shared her thoughts about the event: "Today, together with our professors and fellow students, we collected the trash thrown by visitors at Salda Lake. Being part of such an event made me very happy. Contributing to Salda Lake, which is renowned worldwide, excited us. I believe that all people should be more sensitive, especially about the environment. We must increase our environmental awareness, love nature, and protect it."