Sand lilies, which are under protection due to the risk of extinction on the Mersin coast in Türkiye’s Mediterranean region, have bloomed with the arrival of autumn. These lilies, which cover the breeding areas of sea turtles in Mersin, offer a spectacular sight at sunrise. The fine for plucking lilies and taking bulbs abroad, which was 109,593 TL($4000) last year, has increased to 244,315 TL ($9000) this year.
Erdemli Nature Conservation and National Parks Chief, Mevlüt Çetin, stated that they have not taken any punitive action so far because the local residents are sensitive to the lilies and protect them. Visitors from outside the region are advised not to harm the lilies.