Sustainable development in mountainous areas and forest villages: Mani̇sa Gördes example

Mountainous areas have quite a high rate in terms of space they occupy in Turkey and many other coutries of the world. These areas, which are very rich in natural resources and have high development potential, have been generally ignored by the administrations of the country. Within the framework of the concept of sustainable development, the potentials of the mountainous areas and forest villages can be activated and development can be benefited by using our country's natural resources, and when the physical conditions of our country are taken into account, it can be transformed into an economic value through the efficient use of limited resources. With globalizing, environmental problems have increased and become more cross-border. In order to solve these environmental problems, states have to revise their forest protection policies. Rural development in mountainous areas and forest villages admissed as sustainable use of natural resources and on the other hand aims to reduce development differences by raising the income level and living standarts of rural areas; to protect and promote environmental and cultural values; considers cultural and economic properties, requirements, potentials and dynamics that planned by a multi sectoral approach. This study Will be executed in Manisa province Gördes county . The main reasons for choosing Gördes : first of all Gördes one of the social-economically least development and one of the most Mountainous county in Manisa. Second one Gördes has a Villages which is removed their entity as amended by law of no 6360 and far away from Manisa city center. Third reason is an one of the most available county for researching rural development, poverty and many other factors. As a result; there is a field work executed with factors such as rural development, poverty, enviroment, migration and law of no 6360 in identified Mountainous areas and Village forests of Gördes which is confirmed according to list of Mountainous areas obtained from the http://ipard.tarim.gov.tr/ Web adress of "Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock". Afterward 'Sustainable development' concept detailed in local with the help of findings based on the literature. Keywords: Mountainous area, Forest villages, Development, Municipality, Sustainability.