A petition has been launched to cancel a mining exploration permit pertaining to the renowned sport climbing area of Geyikbayiri, Turkey.

Geyikbayiri has grown as a sport climbing destination in recent years and attracts around 10,000 climbers each year. If the mining were to go ahead, the area would likely become closed to climbing and be harmed environmentally by the mining activities.

The petition reads:

'On 04.12.2014 mining exploration permit nr 21400418 was issued for the rocks of Geyikbayiri, a sport climbing area that is currently among the top 10 most important and popular climbing areas of the world attracting over 10.000 visitors a year. Over the last 15 years more than 1000 routes where opened on these rocks and the climbing area has been declared an eco tourism area with a significant contribution to winter tourism.

Mining exploration would cause irrevocable damage to the rocks resulting in the closing down of the climbing area.

The chosen area is also home to a major water source, the starting point of the Lycian Way, borders a nature reserve and is thus not suited for mining activities.'

If you wish to sign the petition, you can do so here.