President Ersin Tatar said on Monday that planning for the rehabilitation of the areas destroyed in the recent wildfire and formulating solution policies with the relevant stakeholders must be their top priority.

Tatar said that the state was determined to take the necessary steps for the recovery of the ecological system in the forest areas between Ardahan, Topçuköy, Merslinlik and Tatlısu.

In a written statement issued on Monday, President Ersin Tatar said it was important to act jointly with the relevant stakeholders on the basis of expert views and science.

“It is vital that the state’s various institutions carry out the necessary planning to bring back the wildlife and vegetation in the area destroyed in the fire as well as to preserve the ecological balance. It is every citizen’s and politician’s duty to derive lessons from the forest fire. The Forestry Department must be prepared for all situations and scenarios, be more active and coordinated, should have a faster response time. Upgrading the forestry department’s personnel, equipment and machinery must be our priority. And under no condition should forest areas be opened to development or any other activity. If necessary legal amendments should be made on the leasing of such properties located in forest areas,” he said.

The president added that the recent fire had revealed the need to review the penalties for pillaging of forests as well as the inspection mechanism.

Tatar also thanked all the civilians and military units which took part in the fire-fighting efforts.