Are national parks under legal protection or legal degradation? An analysis of national parks and the impact of economic investment in those areas regarding current Turkish national park legislation

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of legislation in national parks protection and management in Turkey. As an introduction a brief summary of the development and legal basis of national parks are given. The national park system as a nature conservation method is introduced, as well as the development of national park system in Turkey is summarized. The legal basis, institutional structure and management of national parks are discussed. Also a case study including Nemrut DaAŸA± National Park, UludaAŸ National Park, and Kaz DaAŸlarA± (Ida Mountain) National Park, is presented with respect to nature protection and economic development dilemma. The outcomes of the case study was analysed. Then, a series of conclusions are reached and some recommendations relevant to protection-economic development trade off are made.   Key words: Forests, protected areas, national parks, Turkey, legislation, management, planning.