Parc national de Göreme et sites rupestres de Cappadoce

The impacts of uncontrolled and potential mass tourism are of some concern. According to the RAPPAM assessment undertaken in 2009, tourism and daily recreation activities were considered as a threat with a low increase in trend (Stanciu et al., 2009). The estimated annual visitor numbers to the World Heritage site are between 2 and 4 million people (State Party of Turkey, 2024), however according to media reports, officials aim to increase numbers to 7 million, demonstrating the desire to increase capacity to meet international demand (Daily Sabah, 2020). This also increases pressure to develop accommodation capacity. There are also concerns about the number of caravans within and near the site not adhering to the caravan park localities designed for them (Saglamdin, 2022).

The places with the highest visitor and vehicle density are the Göreme Open Air Museum and the area of fairy chimneys called Three Beauties. The Göreme Open Air Museum and the tourism and industrial areas within the municipal boundaries of Ürgüp and Avanos place high ecological pressure on the World Heritage site (Ciftci et al., 2021). Studies have revealed that in Göreme open air museum, the recreational carrying capacity was exceeded in all months of the year except in the winter months. The results differ according to the summer and winter periods. However, it was determined that the number of monthly visitors that Göreme Open Air Museum should host should be 51,450 (Yildirim and Eren, 2024). A visitor management plan is urgently needed along with an increase in staff capacity and training to enforce regulations and limit tourist pressure in highly vulnerable areas (Yetiş et al., 2022).

According to Ceylan (2022), about 36 tourism agencies have organized ATV tours in the area. Each agency has an average of 20 ATV vehicles, and about 400 ATVs are used in the area daily. However, other estimates predict up to 1500 ATVs in the area, although not all are used in the same day for tours. ATV tours in certain valley in the area, damage the natural heritage site (in particular the natural texture), and create intense localised visitor pressure. Although the Cappadocia Area Presidency has determined the upper limit of 20 ATVs for each agency, the number of ATVs in the area continues to increase. It has been recommended that alternative modes of transport like cycling, horseback riding and walking on foot should be promoted to protect the site's natural features (Ceylan, 2022).

Proliferation of infrastructure associated with the requirements of mass tourism, construction of tourist hotels in safeguarded areas and associated transportation (road network) was defined as a high threat in the RAPPAM 2009 assessment (Stanciu et al., 2009). There is illegal housing inside the National Park especially near residential areas. In recent years, the infrastructure problem persists (Yetiş et al., 2022) due to increasing unplanned construction by various tourism-related stakeholders, which requires active management by local authorities. Visual pollution and damage to the geological structure of the region have been noted as a result. The necessity of adapting the arrangements made to the texture of the region, the demolition of the distorted structures made in the past period, and the regular follow-up of the restoration works are critical management needs (Yetiş et al., 2022).

The Ankara Branch of the Chamber of Architects has called for the halt of a commercial building project in the Ürgüp district of the central Anatolian province of Nevşehir, which includes the historical region of Cappadocia. Along with the commercial building project, there are several ongoing projects near Cappadocia, including the construction of a hotel in Sarıhıdır Neighborhood and a residential project as part of the "Ürgüp Nation's Garden" project, said the chamber. With these projects, historical and natural sites are damaged. The Chamber of Architects Ankara Branch on filed a criminal complaint against the mayor of Ürgüp for "misconduct" because of the activities against the Law No. 2863 on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property. After the complaint, the construction activities were halted but later resumed. The architects say that the contract for the construction of the commercial building should be cancelled and the construction should be stopped immediately, with the already built parts removed in proper techniques to prevent new damage to the caves (Bianet, 2022).

Since 2019, Cappadocia Area President Birol Incecikoz has been combating unauthorized construction and other activities in the region, removing close to 800 illegal buildings from the area and increasing surveillance. Nevertheless, illegal activities persist. With nearly 1,000 cases still awaiting judgment, Cappadocia’s authorities remain committed to eradicating all illegal buildings (Hacialioglu, 2024).

In 2024, the Ankara Regional Administrative Court suspended large-scale development plans for Cappadocia, based on concerns that the proposed plans would cause irreparable damage to the area. The suspended plans included the 1/25,000-scale Upper Scale Area Plan for Cappadocia, which was approved in October 2023 following some modifications in response to objections. However, the Chamber of Architects and the Chamber of City Planners opposed the plan, arguing that it would expose Cappadocia to development risks rather than protecting its historical heritage. Therefore, the groups filed for the plan’s cancellation (Devami, 2024).

According to the study by Demircivi (2017), vibrations and noise resulting from traffic threatens the natural values of the property. There are motorways near some valleys (e.g., Dervent valley) and some rock formations (e.g., fairy chimneys in Paşabağı and Ürgüp, and the ones on the Göreme-Ortahisar road). In order to resolve negative impacts resulting from the traffic, the passes on those roads may be limited to only tour buses or closed to all motor vehicles depending on the alternative roads.

A project by the Special Provincial Administration to increase the cadastral road between Göreme and Ortahisar from 5 and 7 meters wide to 10 meters has recently been completed. The project was approved by the Cappadocia Area Commission in October 2021. Following the expropriation works in the region, road construction was started by the Special Provincial Administration amidst public criticism due to potential damage to the site’s OUV. The road works were located 32 meters from the Hidden Church and 20 meters from the Fairy Chimneys. The road, which caused controversy, was opened to service in 2022 (Business Turkey, 2022). According to media reports, heavy machinery caused historical and cultural damage in the area. Near the junction of the Ortahisar-Göreme road with the Göreme museum road, new cracks have appeared in the dining hall located within a monastery complex. The vibrations caused by heavy machinery, coupled with the passage of tour buses and heavy trucks may accelerate the collapse of the cracked fairy chimney (Töre, 2023).

There is natural deterioration at geological formations and archaeological values due to wind and water erosion and human disturbance (Somuncu and Yigit, 2009). In recent years, due to construction of irrigation dams and ponds in the region, the humidity has been increasing which accelerates natural deterioration (IUCN Consultation, 2017; Erkan, 2022). In general erosion is a critical element of the natural values, and is the cause of the landforms. However, accelerated erosion is a threat. Additionally, increased humidity due to extensive surface water harms building materials and alters their reaction to climatic conditions. The changing groundwater level is another potential risk for the existing cultural heritage that may cause structural problems due to ground subsidence. Especially considering that water consumption per person has increased dramatically in recent years, the lack of sewage systems and the poor maintenance of existing systems bear significant risks. Change in land use is another factor that affects groundwater levels. Unsuitable crop choices and irrigation systems are contributing to this issue (Erkan, 2022).

The RAPPAM 2009 report stated that grazing by sheep coming from surrounding villages occurred inside the WH site (Stanciu et al., 2009). Since it was scattered and the number of animals was descending, it was not considered as a high threat. No significant grazing has been reported in recent years (IUCN Consultation, 2017).
The Göreme Open Air Museum is surrounded by extensive vineyards, which are indispensable elements of the landscape. However, 71% of agricultural lands are cultivated using pesticides. The effect of agricultural activities on soil pollution also creates a high degree of ecological pressure on the WH site, while there may also be impacts on groundwater levels, which may contribute to structural problems due to ground subsidence (Ciftci et al., 2021; Erkan, 2022). The agricultural areas covering the northern part of the region are constantly expanding, shrinking the natural steppe areas (Doga Dernegi, 2020).