Protection Of Wildlife: Analysis Of Legislative Periods In Turkey

Abstract

The first legal arrangements concerning hunting and wildlife were held in “Mecelle (Ottoman code of civil law)” was declared in 1976 and was abolished in 1926. Prior to this date, hunting was carried out freely, and game animals were regarded as “waif” and there were no legal re-strictive regulations. Only it was forbidden to enter the hunting areas of the Sultan and this ac-tivitis were punished. When analyzed Mecelle seen that there were made general regulations on hunting and game animals about catch or ownership . The first basic arrangement on hunting and wild animals in Turkish law was made in 1937 by the Law of Hunting, Numbered 3167. Law No: 3167 had provisions as definition of hunting animals, hunting principles and prohibitions, it was abolished in 2003 by the with the current law which numbered 4915. Law No 4915 is more detailed law than the 3167 with regards to con-servation provisions and at the same time in terms of compliance with international agreements related to wildlife and biodiversty. In this study will be discussed the process and developmet of the legislation related wildlife and hunting from 1900 to the present day and analyzed in terms of international agreements. These are Mecelle, Constitutions, Civil Laws, Criminal Laws, Land Hunting Laws, Forest Laws, Fish-ery Law and Environmental Law.