A launch event was held for the “PURE RIVERS: Pollution Awareness and Remediation Efforts for Rivers” project.
Supported under the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Program and launched on February 28, 2026, the project brought together institutions from Turkey, Greece, and Georgia in a joint environmental initiative. The “PURE RIVERS – Pollution Understanding and Restoration Effort for Rivers” project officially began with working meetings organized with the participation of partner institutions.
As part of the project, pollution levels in the Sakarya River, the Meriç (Evros) River, and the Supsa River—all of which flow into the Black Sea—will be examined. The study will be conducted under the leadership of Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, in collaboration with the Sakarya Governor’s Office, Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, and the Lanchkhuti Municipality in Georgia.
Officials highlighted that rivers in the Black Sea Basin are under serious environmental pressure due to pollution and habitat degradation, emphasizing that environmental pollution has now become a global issue affecting not only the environment but also public health, the economy, and future generations. For this reason, it was stated that the PURE RIVERS project is not merely a scientific study but also a cross-border responsibility initiative.
Work will be carried out in four key areas as part of the 30-month project. First, sources of pollution in the target rivers will be identified using scientific methods and monitored on a regular basis. Next, feasible and sustainable strategies to reduce pollution will be developed. The project will also include restoration efforts aimed at revitalizing river ecosystems and protecting biodiversity. The data and scientific findings obtained will be shared with the public, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
It was noted that the ultimate goal of the PURE RIVERS project is to improve water quality, protect river ecosystems, and strengthen green infrastructure. The aim is for the partnerships, data infrastructure, and methodologies developed through the project to guide long-term environmental policies in the Black Sea Basin.
Source: https://gazeteilke.com/karadeniz-havzasinda-pure-rivers-donemi-ba
Leave a Reply