Lake Urmia: Iran’s Disappearing Lake Becomes a Global Environmental Catastrophe
Lake Urmia: Iran’s Disappearing Lake Becomes a Global Environmental Catastrophe Lake Urmia: Iran’s Disappearing Lake Becomes a Global Environmental Catastrophe Once the largest saltwater lake in the Middle East, Lake Urmia in Iran is turning into a salt desert. Experts warn that government mismanagement, dam construction, and climate change have created a global environmental crisis threatening millions. The Vanishing of Lake Urmia Once a symbol of natural beauty and balance, Lake Urmia — located between the Iranian provinces of East and West Azerbaijan — is now on the brink of ecological collapse. Satellite images reveal that the turquoise waters that once covered over 5,000 square kilometers have retreated, leaving behind a ghostly salt plain and a lifeless horizon. From Lake to Salt Desert Over the last four decades, Iran has built more than 79 dams on the rivers feeding Urmia, cutting off its natural water supply. Combined with overexploitation of groundwater and expanding water-in...