General Directorate of Forestry (OGM)

Türkiye’s forest resources are managed, conserved and developed by General Directorate of Forestry, a public institution with a special budget and legal personality established within the state forestry organization. The institution operates on the principle of recognizing the ecological, economic and socio-cultural benefits of forests' and has carried out forestry services within the integrity of ecosystems. Its responsibilities are broad in scope, aiming to protect, develop, plan and manage forests for the benefit of society.

The institution has a wide organizational structure at both central and regional levels and has operated in numerous fields including fighting forest fires, afforestation, ecosystem service management, land reclamation, cadastral surveys, seedling production and forestry research.

Corporate Status and Structure

Institutional Nature

The General Directorate of Forestry is organized as a special budget public administration under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Due to its legal personality, it operates with broad autonomy covering budgetary applications to administrative processes. The institution’s activities have been shaped within the framework of a national forestry approach that aims for holistic management of forest ecosystems. Forests have been addressed not only in terms of timber production but also through their multifaceted functions including biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, erosion control, improvement of soil and water resources, and the continuation of natural habitats.

Mission, Vision and Quality Policy

The General Directorate of Forestry aims to protect, develop and manage forests sustainably to provide multifaceted benefits to society. Its objective has been shaped around becoming a pioneer in sustainable forestry practices while ensuring employee satisfaction and service continuity. Within this framework, the quality policy has adopted the principle of sustainability across all areas from forest conservation to afforestation, strengthening forest-community relations and improving forestry planning.

Duties and Authorities

Management of Forest Resources

One of the primary duties of the General Directorate of Forestry has been to manage forest resources while taking into account their ecological, economic and socio-cultural dimensions. Accordingly, extensive activities have been conducted including forest conservation, planning, regeneration, silvicultural maintenance and protection against natural disasters. The consideration of plant and animal life within the integrity of ecosystems has become one of the fundamental elements of the institution’s management approach.

Ownership, Cadastral and Permit-Right Procedures

Procedures concerning forest ownership have been carried out by the General Directorate of Forestry. Cadastral surveys, determination of ownership, boundary updates, and the granting of permits and easements fall within the institution’s responsibilities. In this context, procedures such as the expropriation or transfer of immovable properties requiring inclusion in the forest regime have been implemented.

Production, Storage and Marketing

The production, transportation, storage and marketing of forest products have been organized and executed by the General Directorate of Forestry. These activities have been planned according to technical, economic and socio-cultural standards, with marketing efforts conducted both domestically and internationally.

Afforestation, Erosion Control and Land Reclamation

The institution has carried out afforestation, erosion control, flood and avalanche control, pasture improvement and desertification mitigation efforts both within and beyond forest boundaries. Integrated watershed projects have been prepared and implemented. Reforestation activities on burned areas have constituted a significant part of the institution’s responsibilities.

Seedling and Seed Production

The production of seeds and seedlings of forest tree and shrub species, as well as the establishment and operation of nurseries, have been included within the responsibilities of the General Directorate of Forestry. Grafting activities have been conducted, and special afforestation projects and specialized nursery facilities have been supported.

Research, Education and Publication Activities

Conducting research and development activities related to forestry, establishing and operating education centers, and organizing in-service training have been within the institution’s duties. Scientific research has been carried out through research institutes, and findings have been integrated into forestry practices.

Inventory, Infrastructure and Technical Regulations

Inventory activities, construction, maintenance and repair of forestry roads, establishment of laboratories, and determination of technical and administrative principles have also been carried out by the General Directorate of Forestry. Machinery, vehicles, facilities and equipment have been procured by the institution, and necessary infrastructure has been established.

Management Structure

Director General

The highest-ranking official of the General Directorate of Forestry is the Director General. Bekir Karacabey currently holds this position. After serving in various regional units and directorates, he was appointed Deputy Director General in 2017 and subsequently appointed Director General from 2017 onwards.

Deputy Director Generals

The institution’s management structure includes four Deputy Director Generals reporting directly to the Director General. These are Mustafa Özkaya, İbrahim Yüzer, Kenan Akduman and Muhammed Salih Çetiner. These managers have been responsible for various units within the central and regional structure and have overseen institutional operations according to their assigned areas.

Central Organization

The central units of the General Directorate of Forestry consist of directorates and departments covering a broad range of activities. These units have ensured the implementation of the institution’s general policies and have managed technical, administrative, legal, planning and operational processes.

Inspection and Legal Units

The Inspectorate Board has conducted institutional inspections; the Internal Audit Unit has maintained internal control processes; and the Legal Advisory Office has managed legal procedures.

Afforestation, Silviculture and Ecosystem Management Units

The Directorate of Afforestation, Directorate of Nurseries and Seed Operations, Directorate of Silviculture and Directorate of Ecosystem Services have implemented the technical aspects of forestry practices, fulfilling duties such as regeneration, maintenance, seedling production and planning of ecosystem services.

Forest Fire Fighting Units

The Directorate of Forest Fire Fighting has coordinated fire detection, response and suppression processes. The Directorate of Forest Pests and Diseases has implemented measures against biotic and abiotic pests. The institution has utilized a large air and ground fleet for fire fighting, incorporating drones, helicopters, aircraft, all-terrain vehicles and heavy machinery into its inventory.

Cadastral, Ownership and Permit Units

The Directorate of Cadastral and Ownership and the Directorate of Permits and Easements have managed ownership and usage permit procedures related to forest areas.

Planning and Operations Units

The Directorate of Forest Administration and Planning has ensured the multi-purpose planning of forests. The Directorate of Operations and Marketing has managed the production and marketing processes of forest products.

Technical Infrastructure and Support Units

The Directorate of Information Systems has provided information technology infrastructure; the Directorate of Construction and Supply has carried out the construction of buildings, facilities and roads used in forestry activities; and the Directorate of Support Services has managed logistical processes.

Personnel, Strategy and Public Relations Units

The Directorate of Personnel has managed human resources processes; the Directorate of Strategy Development has handled planning and budgeting processes; and the Directorate of Press and Public Relations has conducted public information activities.

Regional Organization

Regional Directorates of Forestry

The institution’s regional structure consists of Regional Directorates of Forestry widely organized across the country. According to official records, regional directorates have been established in numerous provinces including Adana, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Artvin, Balıkesir, Bolu, Bursa, Çanakkale, Denizli, Elazığ, Erzurum, Eskişehir, Giresun, Hatay, Isparta, İstanbul, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Konya, Kütahya, Mersin, Muğla, Sakarya, Sinop, Şanlıurfa, Trabzon and Zonguldak.

These directorates have managed forests according to local conditions, prepared for fire fighting, operated nurseries, implemented forestry practices and carried out afforestation activities.

Research Institute Directorates

Research institutes affiliated with the General Directorate of Forestry have conducted research in the field of forestry sciences and developed solutions tailored to regional needs. These include the Western Mediterranean, Western Black Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, Eastern Anatolia, Eastern Black Sea, Aegean, Southeastern Anatolia, Central Anatolia, Poplar and Rapidly Developing Forest Trees, Marmara, Forest Trees and Seeds Improvement, and Forest Soils and Ecology Research Institutes.

Forest Fire Fighting and Capacity

Air and Ground Fleet

As of 2025, 27 fire suppression aircraft, 105 helicopters, 14 drones, approximately 6,000 ground vehicles and over 25,000 personnel have been deployed in fire fighting operations. Water-carrying capacity has been increased from 73 tons to 438 tons. Ground forces have been expanded with all-terrain vehicles, initial response units and heavy machinery; fire ponds and reservoirs have been increased.

Early Warning and Detection Systems

Fire detection has been accelerated through 776 observation towers and AI-supported systems. Through drone usage, Türkiye has become one of the leading countries in Europe. The average initial response time has been reduced from 40 minutes to 11 minutes.

Training, Equipment and Personnel

All personnel have received training in fire fighting and occupational safety; on-the-job training has been implemented at training centers established in Antalya and regional directorates. All personal protective equipment, including fire-resistant clothing and boots, has been regularly procured.

Reforestation of Burned Areas

The use of burned areas for other purposes is prohibited, and full reforestation is required. Documents detail the planting of millions of seedlings and natural regeneration efforts carried out after fires in various years.