Luxury villas on demand by Arabs threaten natural beauty around lake in Turkey's northwest

Luxurious villas around Lake Sapanca have been threating the natural beauty in the area, with many of the houses being on demand by Arab tourists and investors in the northwestern province of Sakarya. 

The number of villas overlooking the lake has been increasing steadily in the last five years and they are being constructed in forests, with many of them standing empty due to their high prices. 

Turks' interest in the luxurious houses has decreased previously, giving way to Arabs to purchase villas that stand in the midst of green nature and the lake in Sapanca. 

Speaking about how constructions were being carried out on the high hills with intense tree population, a construction official, whose identity wasn't disclosed, said the lands belong to private owners. 

"Property certificates were given to the areas on top of the hill nearly 150 years ago. Thus, the forested area is not being destroyed. There may be a high number of trees, but there are private-registered lands," he told daily Hürriyet on July 23, adding that the constructions were being carried out with the rules being taken into account."

"The constructions are being made in accordance with the permissions given after the municipality opens the area for construction. No trees are being cut down in the forest areas. Those who are determined to do so receive heavy fines. They may even go to jail," he said.  

The area around the lake is filled with signs reading "For Sale" due to an imbalance between supply and demand in the region. Some of the villas are on sale for $1 million, but there are some being sold for lower prices such as $200,000. 

Even though there is insufficient demand for the villas, the constructions have been ongoing nonstop....