Planned for hydroelectric power generation purposes in the 1970s, the Southeastern Anatolia Project (in short GAP Project) has evolved into a multi-purpose one with socio-economic/rural development dimensions after the 1980s. Besides the construction of the dam and relared hydroelectric power plants, the Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration was established providing funding in the fields of rural development, cultural asssets preservation, supporting entrepreneurship and womens issues thus creating sub-entities and offices. The project forsees the construction of 22 dams and in those already completed, there have been some conflicts regarding displacement and resettlement issues. Moreover, regarding cultural assets, urgent excavations took place in areas that would submerge under dam lake waters. Furthermore, during the construction of some of the dams, certains settlements claimed the depletion of their groundwater (for example Suruc). The most important and ongoing conflict is the construction of Ilisu Dam that is both an important part of the GAP project and which will flood Hasankeyf settlement. |