ICA has restored 3.7 million trees and plants to Istanbul’s natural environment

Along the route of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and the Northern Ring Highway, ICA—which is carrying out the largest-scale reforestation project in the history of the Republic in the private sector—continues to green the areas beneath the viaducts. Once the afforestation work on Viaduct 23, located in the Riva area of the Northern Ring Highway, is completed, an additional 6,000 saplings will be planted.

The İçtaş Astaldi consortium, ICA, is rapidly continuing the largest afforestation project in the history of the Republic carried out by the private sector as part of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and Northern Ring Highway project. Having restored 3,710,000 trees and plants to nature over the past 3.5 years, ICA held a planting ceremony—with the participation of students—under Viaduct 23 in the Riva section of the Northern Ring Highway, in line with its goal of greening the areas beneath viaducts.

The reforestation event, held on Thursday, May 4, and hosted by ICA General Manager Atilla Gökçe, was attended by Istanbul Regional Forest Director Recep Ateş, students from Beykoz Mahmut Şevket Paşa Village Middle School, and ICA employees.

Once its reforestation investments are completed, ICA aims to restore 5.1 million trees and plants to nature through its efforts in Istanbul and the surrounding area, as well as along the Northern Ring Highway route.

Speaking at the reforestation ceremony, Istanbul Regional Forest Director Recep Ateş stated, “When work on the Northern Marmara Highway began, we signed a protocol with ICA committing to the reforestation of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and the Northern Ring Highway route. “Through the work ICA has carried out within this framework, it has planted 3,710,000 trees and plants to date. Once this project is completed, ICA will have ensured that a total of 5,100,000 trees and plants are planted. “As a result, the Northern Ring Highway will become greener, and the viaducts will take on a colorful appearance featuring every shade of green,” he said.

“The areas under the viaducts are being greened with saplings planted by students’ own hands”

ICA General Manager Atilla Gökçe, speaking at the event, provided the following information: “Last November, in addition to all our afforestation efforts, we took the first step toward greening the areas under the viaducts and held a planting ceremony with our students. Today, once again, together with our students, we will plant saplings under Viaduct 23, located in the Riva section of the Northern Ring Highway. The areas under the viaducts along the Northern Ring Highway route will be greened with saplings planted by our students. “By the time we complete the plantings we will continue after today’s ceremony, 6,000 saplings will have taken root here.”

Gökçe, noting that ICA has been carrying out reforestation efforts since 2013 with great care and systematic planning, said, “Together with the General Directorate of Forestry, we have planted 604,000 trees since November. With the 6,000 saplings that will be planted today, the total number of trees and plants we have contributed to nature since 2013 will reach 3,710,000. Once our reforestation projects—which include a wide variety of tree species ranging from acacia to linden, and from red pine to cedar, and are carried out under the supervision of our Regional Forestry Directorate—are completed, we aim to add 5,100,000 trees and plants to the beautiful natural landscape of Istanbul,” he said.

Maintenance activities continue uninterrupted

Atilla Gökçe continued: “To ensure the continuity of our landscaping and afforestation efforts—which we have systematically carried out at every stage of construction as well as during the operational period, and for which we have covered all costs as a company—we are continuing our maintenance activities without interruption. As ICA, we will continue our afforestation efforts without pause for a sustainable, livable future.”

While trees were being planted alongside students from Beykoz Mahmut Şevket Paşa Village Middle School who participated in the reforestation event, ICA executives also provided the students with information about reforestation and the green environment.