The construction of a dam to bring water to communities is often controversial. Frequently it means that the land on which people have lived for centuries is given up to accommodate reservoirs and their homes and ways of life are lost for ever.

But today that project is no nearer completion as human rights campaigners argue that the city itself and the surrounding areas would be flooded and widespread ecological damage caused.

Companies, originally signed up to create a dam and provide infrastructure, have pulled out. But the government argues that the development is vital to bring water to the wider area and its population.

Tolga Sezgin, a Turkish freelance, has visited Hasankeyf many times to photograph the city and the people who live there and nearby.

“The Tigris valley is very important for the flora and fauna of the whole region with its canyons and forests. It is said the dam reservoir would threaten many plants and animals”, says 36-year-old Tolga, who is based in Istanbul and used his Canon 5D camera and natural light for his images.

“I have often been in Hasankeyf. I feel time has stopped there,” continues Tolga.

“The dam story started more than thirty years ago and is still not resolved. Everybody is still waiting and their dreams about the future are on hold.

Hasankeyf has been unaltered for many thousands of years. If we lose it, we would see the disappearance of an important part of our history.”