MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Van – Turkey has also been suffering from the climate crisis affecting the whole world in recent years.  Water shortages and drought have been deepening this crisis. Lake Van, which is the largest lake in Turkey, where green areas are decreasing day by day, has been suffering from drought and environmental pollution as well as the climate crisis. The water level of the lake drops every year and the construction of HEPPs and sewage wastes poured into the lake threaten the lake.

Water level decreases every year

The water level of the lake, located on the migration routes of many endemic species, has dropped compared to previous years. Domestic and sewage wastes are poured from many places into the lake.  Arzu Dinçer, deputy chair of the management board of the Van Association for Protection, Research and Improvement of Environment and Historical Artifacts (VAN ÇEVDER), told NuJINHA that urgent measures should be taken in order to protect the lake.

Pointing out that the pollution in the lake has increased in the last few years, Arzu Dinçer said that the lake basin, which has a population of 1 million 500, has been facing a great threat. “Every day, approximately 56 thousand square meters of sewage waste from the settlements on the coast is poured into the lake. The sewage waste, the garbage thrown into the lake, climate change and drought also seriously affect the lake. The water level of the lake drops every day. The drought and pollution also causes great damage to species in the lake. For instance, the only fish known to live in the lake are Pearl Mullet. These fish migrate from the lake to less alkaline water to spawn. But due to low levels of the water, they may not migrate to less alkaline water to spawn,” Arzu Dinçer told NuJINHA.

“Measures should be taken”

Calling on the authorities to take urgent measures in order to protect the lake, Arzu Dinçer said, “Since we are facing the risk of drought, we have to take urgent measures to protect the lake and species.”