Türkiye's only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: Camili Basin

The Camili Basin in Artvin, Borçka was declared a 'Biosphere Reserve'' on June 29, 2005 in line with the decision of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program. It attracts attention with its rainforests, endemic plants, waterfalls, Caucasian honey bees, historical mosques and cultural richness. The basin, which includes the villages of Uğur, Düzenli, Camili, Kayalar, Efeler, and Maral along the Türkiye-Georgia border, is home to 990 plant species, 23 of which are endemic. Prominent attractions include the Camili Mosque built during the Ottoman era in 1855, and the wooden Iremit Mosque built in 1851 in Maral village decorated with colorful motifs painted with natural dye. Maral Waterfall, also called 'heaven on earth' and 'the pearl of the basin,' is another popular site for visitors. Assistant Prof. Leman Albayrak from Ardahan University has been studying how to harness Artvin's ecotourism potential for eight years. Emphasizing the value of traditional cultural and ecological knowledge, Albayrak organizes cultural and ecological tours in collaboration with the local community. These tours offer practical experiences of the region's ethnobotanical heritage and engage participants with local villagers, beekeepers, and artisans. Albayrak highlighted Artvin's exceptional biodiversity and geological formations, with Macahel being one of the most significant areas. She stressed the importance of preserving Camili Basin's unique features, which are recognized by UNESCO, and maintaining the area's biodiversity in partnership with the local population. Assistant Prof. Umut Cafer Karadoğan from Sinop University praised Maral Waterfall as one of Eastern Black Sea's most beautiful natural wonders. He noted that the area has become more popular through domestic tourism and expressed his appreciation for the region's rich ecological heritage by saying: 'Camili Basin truly deserves being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Even the Alps do not compare to its beauty.' Meltem Kavurmacıoğlu, a visitor, shared her joy in revisiting Camili after 12 years. She described the opportunity to explore the region's culture, history, and cuisine, such as a special kind of cornbread named 'pileki bread', and a traditional soup made with wild beets. Nature education specialist Tuğba Can noted the lush greenery and misty atmosphere of Camili, highlighting its status as one of Turkey's most special areas.