Warning for the Deep Blue Homeland: Do Not Let Recent Rainfall Lead to Complacency

Dr. Murat Karakoyunlu, President of the Konya Plain Project (KOP) Regional Development Administration, stated that the rainfall observed in recent months has made a partial contribution to dam occupancy levels, but emphasized that the water crisis is still ongoing and issued important warnings to the public.

Referring to the recent rainfall across the KOP Region provinces (Aksaray, Karaman, Kırıkkale, Kırşehir, Konya, Nevşehir, Niğde, and Yozgat), particularly in the area covering the Konya Closed Basin, Dr. Karakoyunlu said that the precipitation is encouraging, but cautioned against complacency:
“Rainfall may be encouraging; however, complacency is the greatest risk in water management.”

Konya Closed Basin Depends on Groundwater

Drawing attention to the fact that the Konya Closed Basin is an enclosed basin not fed by external water sources, Dr. Karakoyunlu underlined that the basin is heavily dependent on groundwater resources.

Stating that a significant portion of the crops produced on irrigated agricultural lands is sustained by groundwater, Dr. Karakoyunlu said:
“In recent years, decreasing rainfall, increased groundwater use, and the resulting decline in groundwater levels have reached a dangerous point. Although the increase in rainfall in recent months has somewhat alleviated the water shortage of previous years, the situation is still far from the desired level. We must not become complacent and must avoid using water resources wastefully.”

Effects of Rainfall Are Seen Only in Certain Areas

Dr. Karakoyunlu noted that rainwater has not produced the expected impact on groundwater resources and stated:
“As is well known, whether precipitation comes in the form of snow or rain makes a difference for groundwater. Since snowfall is absorbed slowly into the soil, it can recharge groundwater. Rainwater, however, may not provide sufficient recharge. While rainwater may affect dam occupancy rates, it may not create the expected effect in terms of groundwater resources.”

Deep Blue Homeland: Our Strategic Power Beneath the Ground

Emphasizing the importance of developing concepts to help the public better understand the issue, Dr. Karakoyunlu said:
“In Türkiye, developing concepts is important for understanding the problem. ‘Blue Homeland’ is valuable in conveying the importance of our seas, and ‘Sky Homeland’ is valuable in expressing the importance of security in the skies.”

He stated that they use the concepts of “Deep Homeland” and “Deep Blue Homeland” for underground resources.

Highlighting the strategic importance of underground resources for Türkiye, Dr. Karakoyunlu said:
“We use the concepts of ‘DEEP HOMELAND’ and ‘DEEP BLUE HOMELAND’ to draw attention to the importance of our underground resources, and especially our groundwater resources. While ‘Deep Homeland’ refers to our underground resources in general, ‘Deep Blue Homeland’ refers specifically to our groundwater resources. We may not yet have a pressing need for all mineral deposits in the Deep Homeland, but we consume groundwater resources almost every day. For this reason, we must protect them.”

Strategic Importance of Groundwater Basins

Drawing attention to the strategic importance of groundwater basins, Dr. Karakoyunlu made the following assessment:

“In the Konya Closed Basin, approximately 70 percent of irrigated agriculture depends on groundwater resources. Groundwater levels are declining year by year. In the last five years, declines exceeding 20 meters have been recorded in well levels in the basin. According to monitored observation well data, groundwater levels rise by an average of 1 meter between the end of one irrigation season and the start of the next, but during the irrigation season they face declines of up to 5 meters. For this reason, the groundwater issue is too important to tolerate complacency. Compared to the water withdrawal that began during this period last year, recent rainfall has reduced stress in the wells. However, the risk still continues.”

Dr. Karakoyunlu also stated:
“The water reserves beneath the ground are the foundation of our production and development. For this reason, we view our groundwater resources as our ‘Deep Blue Homeland’ and consider them a strategic value that must be protected.”

Risks in Terms of Energy and Food Security

Pointing out that protecting the Deep Blue Homeland affects not only water availability but also rising costs in agricultural production, Dr. Karakoyunlu emphasized that the decline in groundwater levels is not merely an environmental issue, but also has negative implications for energy costs.

Call to the Public

Making a call to the public, Dr. Karakoyunlu concluded his statement with the following remarks:

“Efficient use of water is essential for agricultural sustainability and food security. Temporary increases in rainfall do not mean a permanent solution. The savings and efficiency measures taken today will protect production and our tables tomorrow. Protecting the Deep Blue Homeland is the responsibility of all of us.”