Historical Perspective
During the time of the Ottoman Empire, this forest covered about 13000 hectares. Despite the fact that this forest is now only 5442 hectares in size. However, people who are visiting Belgrade for the first time will be astonished by the sizable forests and tall, mature trees. Sultan Suleiman’s reign placed Istanbul’s Belgrad Forest in a strategic location as the city’s main source of water supply.
Before entering the forest, visitors are already made aware of its former use by the old canals that once carried water to various locations throughout the city. You might be wondering how a forest provided the city’s main source of water.
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The Activities in Belgrad Forest
To respond, we must state that the water came from numerous springs and rivers in Istanbul’s Belgrade Forest and then reached the city through canals. As time went on and need increased, a dam was built in this area. Currently, Istanbul has seven dams. The protected conditions of the forest were in force from the fourteenth to the twentieth centuries. One might contend that such an event, which allowed the species to survive intact, is almost unheard of in Turkey’s past.
To see the creatures, you have to venture far into the woods. If you’re lucky, you might see the tranquilly of the forest and a weasel emerging from his den to take a short stroll.
The state of the animals in these places has improved after the hunting ban. In addition, if you take a leisurely stroll through the forest, you will hear animal noises, such as a weasel coming out of its den to quickly stroll over some dry twigs. Sometimes a snake will crawl over your foot to get a frog.
You have to wait till late at night to see foxes and wolves in the deepest parts of the forest. A wild boar could occasionally be observed trashing trash while looking for food. However, there isn’t much more peaceful than watching a deer amble through a forest of trees, let’s face it. About 71 different bird species and 18 different mammal species can be found in this woodland.
The majority of the forest’s plant life, which includes the majority of the small-leaved trees, are oak trees, followed by oriental birch, trumpet ray, and Anatolian chestnut trees.