Nournews: Once the world’s second-largest saltwater lake, Lake Orumiyeh today has become more than ever a symbol of Iran’s environmental crises and water management failures. The central question in the media and public debate now is: Has Lake Orumiyeh been lost? The answer is neither simple nor one-dimensional; it requires a careful examination of statistics, long-term trends, and the policies applied to this basin over the past three decades.
Multiple layers of the crisis
According to the latest official reports by Iran’s Department of Environment and the Lake Orumiyeh Restoration Headquarters, the lake’s water level is still far from its stable historical condition—when it spanned more than 5,000 square kilometers. Recent satellite images clearly reveal white salt lines along the desiccated shores.
It would be simplistic to attribute the current situation solely to drought or climate change. While reduced rainfall and rising temperatures have undoubtedly contributed, independent studies and international assessments show that unsustainable development policies in agriculture and water management have played a more decisive role. Extensive dam construction in the watershed, thousands of legal and illegal wells, and the spread of water-intensive crops have drastically reduced inflows to the lake. Estimates suggest that human-driven factors account for more than half of the crisis.
The drying of the lakebed is not just an ecological event; it directly threatens the health and livelihoods of local communities. Salt dust storms rising from the exposed bed carry fine particles and heavy metals, increasing the risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Academic studies in West and East Azarbaijan provinces have recorded links between reduced humidity, higher particulate matter, and rising respiratory illnesses in recent years. In addition, soil salinization in nearby farmland and the loss of biodiversity—particularly habitats for migratory birds—are among the long-term and alarming consequences.
Failed policies and management criticism
The Lake Urmia Restoration Plan, launched in 2013, initially raised high hopes. Its goal was to restore the lake level to about 1,274 meters above sea level by 2027. However, the implementation of projects faced serious challenges—from insufficient funding and changes of administration to local resistance against reducing farmland. In recent years, some water-transfer projects were suspended, while many initiatives remained half-finished. Parliamentary investigations and reports from the Supreme Audit Court have also raised serious concerns about how allocated funds were spent.
The key question remains: Has Lake Orumiyeh been lost? The answer depends on how “lost” is defined. If it means restoring the lake to its full historical extent, the evidence shows that such a scenario is highly unlikely. Climate change, rising temperatures, and ongoing agricultural water demand make it impossible to return to past levels. But if “not lost” means preventing total collapse and maintaining a minimum level of sustainability, there is still hope. Water-demand management, crop pattern changes, curbing illegal withdrawals, and scientific resource management can help preserve part of this vital ecosystem.
Key recommendations
Agricultural reform: Without fundamental changes in agriculture, no restoration effort will succeed. Farmers must be supported in adopting new crop patterns and compensated for losses.
Integrated water management: Fragmented decision-making across the Energy Ministry, Agriculture Ministry, and the Environment Department is a serious obstacle. A single authority with clear powers must manage the basin.
Monitoring and transparency: Public access to up-to-date data on water levels, inflows, and quality is essential for trust and community participation.
International cooperation: Learning from cases like Kazakhstan’s restoration of the Aral Sea and tapping into international financial and technical resources can boost the projects.
Lake Orumiyeh is a mirror reflecting Iran’s environmental and development policies. Its mismanagement is not only an ecological failure but a stark warning for the country’s entire water governance system. While returning to the past is no longer possible, bold and science-driven choices can still shape a less catastrophic future. The question “Has Lake Orumiyeh been lost?” has a double-edged answer: if current approaches continue, the answer is yes; but if serious reforms in water and agricultural management begin, there is still a window of hope to save it.
NOURNEWS