No, open burning in Turkey is prohibited under the 2021 Environmental Law (Law No. 2872) and the 2023 Regulation on Air Quality Control, enforced by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. Violations risk fines up to ₺50,000 (≈€1,500) or criminal liability under Article 20 of the Law. Municipalities and provincial environmental directorates conduct periodic inspections, with 2026 mandating stricter remote sensing monitoring for agricultural residue burning.
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Turkey
- Agricultural Waste: Burning crop residues is banned nationwide, except in emergency cases approved by provincial authorities under the 2023 Agricultural Waste Management Regulation.
- Municipal Waste: Incineration of household or commercial waste is illegal; only licensed facilities may process such materials under the 2022 Waste Management Regulation.
- Forest and Land Clearing: Open burning for land preparation is criminalized under the 2021 Forest Law (Law No. 6831), with penalties escalating for protected areas or during fire-risk seasons (June–October).
Local enforcement varies: Istanbul’s metropolitan municipality imposes additional permits for controlled burns in industrial zones, while Ankara’s provincial directorate requires pre-notification via the Çevre Bilgi Sistemi (Environmental Information System). Non-compliance triggers administrative orders for immediate cessation and potential court-mandated restoration of affected sites.