ISTANBUL, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Turks on Sunday joined a piano recital performed by a leading Turkish composer on the scene of a deforestated area in Turkey's northwestern province of Canakkale in protest against deforestation for the construction of a cyanide gold mine by a Canadian company.

Fazil Say gave the "concert in nature" in cooperation with the Canakkale municipality to draw the world's attention to the damage done to the environment.

"I am very excited and happy to see that so many people and intellectuals come together to protect the nature," Say told the crowd.

The pianist also played his newly-composed piece dedicated to the deforested area.

Turks have launched massive protests and campaigns in efforts to stop the construction activities by the Canadian Alamos Gold Inc. after several environmental groups revealed that a total of 195,000 trees had been chopped down in the region.

Over 100 environmentalists, meanwhile, have been keeping guard 7/24 on the scene for the last 24 days.

The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats said the project is posing a severe threat to public health, as the mining site is getting water from Atikhisar Dam, the only water source for nearly 180,000 residents.

According to the foundation, the Canadian company got an operating permit from the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources with a plan to cut down a total of 45,650 trees. Enditem

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