The effects of the Green Road Project on the plateaus of Trabzon

Transhumance activity in Turks has been continuing since Central Asia. This activity starts in late April, when the weather starts to warm up in Anatolia, and continues until late autumn. As a plateau in the traditional sense, as a geographical term; It is a temporary settlement unit, which is generally higher than the permanent settlement, with animals, with the participation of more elderly and child populations, and simple dwellings such as oba and tents. Traditional transhumance activities have been continuing as an economic activity from ancient times until today due to animal husbandry. Today, transhumance has become a tourism activity by changing its shape, apart from its traditional meaning. With the increase in mass tourism in the 1980s, discussions on the impact of tourism activities on the environment have increased, and the concept of sustainability has emerged in order to transfer natural and cultural resources to future generations without spoiling. Alternative tourism types have been brought to the agenda as a result of the sustainable tourism approach. Highland tourism, which is one of the alternative tourism types, has started to develop in recent years and some projects have been brought up to support the highland tourism as a result of increasing demand. For this purpose, one of the projects prepared to increase the utilization of the tourism potential of the highlands in our country is the "Green Road Project". Mention the first time an official publication of the project "Plateau Tourism Development Corridor" under the name of 2007, Turkey's Tourism Strategy and Action Plan (2007-2023) is based on a report says. 24 of the 26 plateau tourism centers determined by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism are located in the Black Sea Region. While Ordu is in the first place with 7 highland centers among these highland tourism centers, Trabzon province, which is the subject of the study, is in the second place with 6 centers. The Green Road Project, which was established in 2012, is a project carried out by the Eastern Black Sea Project Regional Development Administration (DOKAP). With the project, it is aimed to reach the springs between these provinces starting from Samsun to Artvin and reaching each other more easily. It is stated by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism that the Plateau Tourism Development Corridor is a conceptual corridor, and with this conceptual corridor, touristic activities in the plateaus and valleys in the Eastern Black Sea Region will be developed with a certain understanding of tourism (alternative, agro, nature, etc.). The conceptual map on the subject shows that the corridor connects a wide area between Samsun and Hopa from the south. Green road route; It covers Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Artvin, Bayburt and Gümüşhane provinces. This study was prepared to determine the effects of the Green Road Project on the Trabzon plateaus. The subject was started by scanning the literature, field studies and observations were carried out. Semi-structured interview technique was used on selected topics during data collection in the field. Geographical Information Systems techniques were used in the preparation of distribution maps. Trabzon is a province with high tourism potential. As a matter of fact, if the natural beauties and cultural values can be evaluated correctly and the number of operated facilities, which are the identified problems, the number of operated facilities, the activities carried out to a limited extent, unsightly construction, air, water and soil pollution, lack of information, personnel and publicity will be carried out within the scope of the Greenfield project and If solved with the plans, it will contribute positively to the promotion of the province and the economy of the region. In addition, natural and cultural resources will be protected and will prepare the ground for new employment areas for local people. Keywords: Natural Environment, Sustainable Tourism, Trabzon, Highland, Green Road