They were under protection. The heat in Alanya got to them too
Due to being an endemic species, the protected sand lilies fell victim to global warming in Alanya. The sand lilies, located on the shores of Demirtaş and Yeşilöz districts in Alanya, dried up due to the effects of global warming.
Güldane Şahin, a volunteer environmentalist at the Alanya Nature Conservation Directorate, emphasized the rarity and endangered status of sand lilies (Pancratium maritimum), protected worldwide by the World Wildlife Fund. She stated, "These sand lilies naturally grow on the shores of Demirtaş and Yeşilöz in Alanya. Anyone caught picking them during their blooming season in June, July, and August faces fines totaling 244,315 Turkish Liras. Regulations banning the collection, picking, and export of their bulbs were issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2016."
Identifying 300 sand lilies
Güldane Şahin, who has been actively working to preserve the sand lilies for future generations, said, "I've traveled to many parts of Turkey, but nowhere have I found such a vast area with so many sand lilies. From Yeşilöz to Demirtaş, I've identified 300 bulbs in the region. While some sand lilies are officially registered, I've written to various official agencies, including CİMER, to get them officially counted. So far, no official has responded. Therefore, I've conducted my own counts."
Extreme heat causes drying
Şahin emphasized that among the plants affected by extreme heat, sand lilies are at the forefront. She stated, "When they bloom, their flowers are as delicate as brides under the scorching sands. As you can see, there were three flowers here yesterday, and today they're all dried up. They dry out within a day due to extreme heat, preventing them from forming seeds. This year, the sand lilies dried out early. When they bloom, they emit a wonderful fragrance across the shore. However, the seeds that fall to the ground also suffer from the heat. They should have been slightly moist, but upon inspection, they're completely dry inside. It's crucial to officially register these sand lilies and take necessary measures to prevent their drying out."
Şahin concluded, "I've repeatedly called for help from official agencies and will continue to do so."
