Vacationers fined for smoking hookah, taking mud baths on shores of 'Turkey's Maldives'
Four vacationers were fined after they were seen smoking hookah and taking mud baths on the shores of Lake Salda, dubbed "Turkey's Maldives" for its white sand beaches and clear waters. The lake recently became the site of a "People's Garden" construction that placed a large parking lot and public facilities around the protected area.
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Duvar English
Four vacationers were fined after they were seen smoking hookah and taking mud baths alongside Lake Salda, often dubbed "Turkey's Maldives" for its white and blue beaches, Burdur Mayor Ali Arslantaş said on July 22.
The beachgoers were pictured engaging in the forbidden activities on the third day of the Eid al-Adha holiday, breaching restrictions on parts of the beaches that were accessible to visitors.
A protected natural area, Lake Salda became the site of the construction of a "People's Garden" despite heavy criticism from the opposition parties and environmentalist groups.
The "People's Garden" project placed a large parking lot and public facilities near the lake, making it more accessible.