Observations

[Stan]

I have noticed that year by year the mosquito population in Dalyan seems to be reducing considerably. I know the Belidiye are regularly spraying, but are they spraying too much and over contaminating the soil and ground water with pesticides. Eventually concentrations of these pesticides come into contact with humans either from the ground water in our pools or from the locally grown greenery we eat. I have also noticed that the local population of frogs seems to be getting quieter. Is this fewer frogs due to pesticides?

[Ihutch]

Most people would vote for less and less mossies but now there are less you are worried about the pesticides used. You could enquire at the Belediye. I think you will find that as soon as the pesticide hits the earth it neutralises. I for one would rather have no mossies at all and be aware of what I myself am doing to the environment. I am sure the frog population has reduced due to the amount of roads there are now and the arik (ditches) that have been filled in to make these roads. That also affected the mossie population as well as less standing water equals less mossies. Now we have 'proper' sewage and water facilities in most of the town there was bound to be an effect. Unfortunately, we can't have it all modern without some consequences. I would love Dalyan to be as it was 8-9 years ago, but they call it progress!!!! I call it losing the soul of the place.

[Stan]

Thanks for your comment Ihutch. Like you say I too would rather have less mossies!!
I was speaking to a turkish friend of mine recently who was brought up in Dalyan and he was telling me that a few decades ago the average lifespan in Dalyan was 55. He put it down to mossie spraying, although it was not done as frequently as it is today, and that the local people used to drink the ground water before the introduction of mains water. Furthermore I would probably think the pesticides at that time were not as complex as they are today, so hopefully nowadays they do neutralize on contact with the ground.
I am happy today and will be even happier when I am back in Dalyan on Saturday.

[Ihutch]

Well Stan I don't know what the average life span is now but it has increased quite a bit I am sure as more people have a better life. Quoting from a site I found about the demographics of Turkey this is interesting informatuion:
As of 2007, the population of Turkey stood at 70.5 million with a growth rate of 1.04% per annum. The Turkish population is relatively young with 25.5% falling within the 0-15 age bracket. There are more than 1 million people of non-Turkish descent, about 1 million of whom are foreign residents.
I am happy to be one of the 1 million foreign residents and intend to stay that way!!!! Inshallah!!