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Anadolu Sigorta and the Directorate General of Forestry Collaborate: The Eyes of

the Forest in Its Second Year!

The ‘Eyes of the Forest’ Project Adds 5 Fire Observation Towers
Anadolu Sigorta’s ‘Eyes of the Forest’ project, implemented
in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
General Directorate of Forestry for the protection of forest
assets, continues to progress rapidly. Following the completion of
the installation of the fire tower in Adana last year, an additional
4 fire observation towers will be put into service in 2023. With
the activation of these towers, a total of 245,000 hectares of
land will be monitored, providing support in the fight against
forest fires. Anadolu Sigorta, which operates with a vision of
creating economic, environmental, and social added value, and
advances its leadership in the insurance sector with socially
impactful projects, is launching 4 new fire observation towers
as part of the “Eyes of the Forest” project in collaboration with
the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry General Directorate of “The ‘Eyes of the Forest’ has reached 5 towers”
Forestry. As part of the “Eyes of the Forest” project, which
holds vital importance for early intervention in wildfires, Berna Semiz Ergüntan, Corporate Communications and
Anadolu Sigorta has undertaken the renewal of observation Sustainability Coordinator at Anadolu Sigorta, stated that as
towers and the construction of new unmanned fire observation part of the “Eyes of the Forest” project, 4 more fire observation
towers. In December 2022, Anadolu Sigorta completed and put towers will be completed and put into operation this year,
into service the first tower in Adana. In 2023, four additional bringing the total to 5 towers and said: “One of the most
observation towers, the second in Muğla, Antalya, Çanakkale, significant challenges we have been facing in recent years,
and Adana, will be inaugurated. especially in the context of climate change, is the increasing
number and duration of forest fires. In our current era, where
With a rapid communication system and advanced technological temperatures are rising and seasons are blending together, it
equipment, these five towers will ensure the uninterrupted is disheartening to see that wildfires are no longer limited to
monitoring of 245,000 hectares of forest land 24/7. With the the summer season. This is not just a problem affecting people
project, it is also aimed to continue to protect forest assets in the but a colossal global issue that impacts the entire ecosystem.
coming years by drawing attention to early intervention and to We are pleased to contribute, even if it’s just a small part, to
raise awareness of individuals. the resolution of this major problem through the “Eyes of the
Forest” project. One of our most important goals is to raise
“One of the most critical global challenges of our time is awareness about combating climate change. We will continue
climate change” to support this fight by putting new towers into operation as
part of the project.”
Mehmet Tuğtan, the CEO of Anadolu Sigorta, pointed out
that climate change mitigation takes the top spot on the Adana Tower enabled early intervention in 11 fires
sustainability agenda worldwide and said: “One of our focal
points is combating climate change, which is considered one of The “Eyes of the Forest” project, implemented in collaboration
the most critical global issues of our time and has a significant with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Directorate
impact on our industry. Additionally, in the effective projects General of Forestry by Anadolu Sigorta, has established
we have implemented with a responsible company approach, we its first tower. This tower is responsible for continuous
prioritize sustainability. The “Eyes of the Forest” project we surveillance of a wide area, primarily covering the Seyhan
initiated last year is also a product of this perspective.” Tuğtan Dam Lake Basin and Çukurova University Campus, which
added: “As a result of climate change, especially in the last two are vital parts of Adana’s ecosystem. The second fire tower,
years, we have experienced a significant increase in wildfires which has been put into service in Adana, is located in Zorkun
both in our country and globally. It is an undeniable fact that this Plateau. Additionally, an unmanned fire observation tower in
risk will continue to grow each passing year. In the face of this Gökçeada is situated in Dereköy. In Muğla, where forest fires
reality, there is a substantial duty and responsibility not only on are a frequent concern, another tower is under construction
government institutions but also on individuals and companies to on the summit of Palamut Mountain at an altitude of 950
combat it. With this understanding, Anadolu Sigorta took a step meters. The tower in Antalya is located within the Alaaddin
last year by collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Keykubat Youth Camp, which falls under the Ministry of
Forestry, General Directorate of Forestry, to protect our forest Youth and Sports. In total, five fire towers will be activated as
assets. The General Directorate of Forestry works tirelessly and part of the project, providing support in combating forest fires
with great dedication in combating fires across Turkey. And by monitoring an area of 245,000 hectares.
we have joined this effort as a part of the structure. Our Adana
tower, which we put into operation last year, played an effective The Adana Balcalı Automatic Fire Observation Tower System,
role in preventing wildfires in the region this summer, enabling in 2023, played a significant role in detecting and tracking
the early detection and monitoring of 11 potentially dangerous 11 forest fires that posed a danger and contributed to the
forest fires.” coordination of the nearest response teams.