Natural environment-human relations, problems and solution suggestions in Sille River Basin

When nature-human interaction, which is one of the fundamental topics of geography, is adapted for the old settlements around the Sille River Basin, how humans and nature mutually affect each other is included. There is no literature information about a study that examines the human-nature interaction throughout Sille. This situation created the need for such a study in the region. The main purpose of this study is to determine the natural environment characteristics of the Sille Stream Basin and to reveal its tourism potential. Because, although many human and physical geography studies related to the research area have been carried out separately, there is no specific study dealing with the natural environment and human interaction as a whole. In this study, firstly the landforms, climate, soil and vegetation characteristics of the region were determined. Then, the human factors in the basin were revealed. Then, the Sille Pond in the basin and the natural beauties around it were mentioned, and the elements that threaten the Sille Dam Pond, erosion and the situations that damage the natural landscape were tried to be determined. In addition to natural attractions, there are historical and touristic attractions in the study area. In the research, it was tried to reveal their tourism opportunities, to develop new suggestions and to identify threats. In the last part, suggestions are made to fix the damaging effects on the region and to attract more tourists to Sille. Accordingly, in order to develop the tourism potential in Sille, the slopes around the Sille Pond should be afforested and saved from erosion effect. Moreover, it is possible to prevent sediment from entering the pond by building dams on the streams reaching the Sille dam. Dams can be made on the Söğütlü, Tatköy, İğdeli and Soğuk streams where the most sediment comes. Thus, the life of the dam will be extended. Because the Sille Pond recreation area is a very important recreation area, especially for the people of Konya. Afforestation can also be done along the Sille stream valley. Plants with low water need should be preferred in afforestation, since approximately 370 mm of precipitation falls annually in the region. The intensive pasture area in the study area has enabled small cattle breeding. Especially within the borders of Tatköy, there are around 40 pens and barns. The proximity of this region to the city center of Konya allows fresh transportation of animal products to Konya. Therefore, sheep breeding in the region should be supported. However, goat breeding should be restricted because the most important problem in the region is the lack of afforestation. In Sille, one of the important centers in the research field, handicrafts and trade branches weakened after the exchange can be revived. One of the important cultural values in the basin, the opening of the Ak Monastery, visited by Mevlana, to tourism, the tourists coming to the Mevlana Cultural Center to be brought to Sille, and even the tourists who visit Sille to visit the ancient ruins near Tatköy from Sille will be very important cultural tourism activities. Again, taking the rock caves in Sille under protection and removing the structures that are incompatible with the natural view in the Sille dam park area are also important in terms of cultural tourism and visuality. Another important problem in the Sille stream basin and its immediate surroundings is the control of the quarries that cause pollution in the region. The existence of Paleozoic and Mesozoic aged limestones in the region creates an attraction center for quarries, but it creates a huge environmental pollution every day. As a solution, the licenses of the quarries in these areas should be canceled and a limited license area should be created for areas far from the center. The historical and touristic aspects of Sille should be introduced to the whole world gradually, starting from Konya and the surrounding provinces. This study will contribute to this promotion.