IRAN (Washington Insider Magazine) – A protest near a dying Iranian lake has led to a string of arrests known as the Lake Urmia arrests.
The protest took place over the near disappearance of Lake Urmia, which was Iran’s primary tourist spot before it started to shrink in 1995 as a result of drought, agriculture, and dam building. Locals are blaming authorities for the lake’s disappearance.
Now, the areas surrounding the lake are barren, with boats lying abandoned in the river and hotels empty of tourists. That is–until the Lake Urmia arrests began.
During the protest leading up to the arrests, locals were spotted shouting at parliament in the region’s capital, Urmia, for playing a major role in the disappearance of their region’s lake system.
The demonstration quickly caught the attention of local authorities who claimed that protestors grew hostile over the course of the protest. Authorities believed that protestors intended on disrupting public safety, but many believe this is another example of government overreach–such as with the newly-passed Iranian pet law.
The lake, which was a tourist staple before the mid-90s, has since shrunk in size by 10%–and now is filled with red algae, making the lake unusable for tourists.
Lake Urmia attracted tourists because of its natural beauty. The clear and deep waters made it an ideal location for families on holiday.
However, in the mid-90s, a wave of agriculture, dam-building, and severe droughts meant that the lake’s water was being used significantly to fulfill the needs of the region during that time. As the lake continued to shrink, tourists stopped flocking to the area for their holidays–placing negative economic ramifications as the tourism industry there declined.
Local residents treasured the lake and have continued to rely heavily on its waters for their livelihood, but there are growing concerns about its future. The lake has been noticeably shrinking due to intense local water usage and local agriculture.
Satellite photos have currently shown the impact that extreme usage has had on the lake’s water levels. Though water levels have risen in recent years, it’s unclear if this is because of rainfall or because of government action.
The local government has attempted to save the lake, & the provincial government has admitted that its actions haven’t achieved the desired results. Both have noted that the lake would suffer from irreparable damage if it isn’t saved.