In Part 2, we will discuss the negative impacts of Lake Urmia’s drying on tourism and the regional economy. Focusing on how the Iranian government's poor and discriminatory policies contributed to Lake Urmia's drying and its consequences on the region's economy and tourism industry.
How Policies Dried Lake Urmia
The drying of Lake Urmia is caused by multiple factors, including climate change, excessive dam construction, overuse of water resources in the lake's watershed, and failure to implement restoration programs. However, the over-arching reason behind these factors is the racist policies of the Islamic Republic toward the Azerbaijani people.
A number of poor agricultural policies have led to unplanned water consumption in the region, placing additional stress on the Lake Urmia. Furthermore, numerous dams have been built on the rivers feeding into the lake, preventing enough water from reaching it. It has been the policies of the Islamic Republic that intentionally led to the drying of the lake. While the government funds large water restoration projects in other parts of the country, programs for restoring Lake Urmia have insufficient budgets.
Damage to the Tourism Industry
With the drying of the lake, the tourism industry in the region has nearly collapsed. Lake Urmia was once one of Iran's major tourist attractions for its salty water and mineral mud had therapeutic properties, attracting thousands of domestic and international visitors each year.
But the shrinking water level and growing dry areas have destroyed the lake's beauty, leaving tourists with little reason to visit. The activities like boating and swimming that were once popular are no longer available. These combined have hit the tourism industry deeply. The sharp decline in visitors and customers has left many hotels, restaurants, and local businesses bankrupt.
Another factor impacting the decline in tourism around Urmia Lake is the fear that foreign tourists have of the Islamic Republic. Due to its taking of hostages, harsh repression of freedom of speech, and a number of other tendencies, rates of international tourism to Iran have drastically dropped.
Severe Economic Impacts
The economy of Urmia and surrounding towns heavily depended on Lake Urmia’s natural resources. The drying of the lake has had far-reaching socioeconomic consequences for the region, from increased unemployment to the degradation of agricultural lands.
Many people whose livelihood depended on the lake’s ecosystem like agriculture and livestock farming, have lost their jobs due to the lake's drying. Moreover, the rising salt in soils around the lake has caused a sharp decline in agricultural productivity, forcing many farmers to abandon their land. As sources of income have disappeared, many families have been forced to leave the region for larger cities, which has disrupted community and familial ties.
Inequality and Discrimination in Addressing the Crisis
The Islamic Republic has shown more effort in dealing with other environmental crises, such as those of Lake Hamoun or the Zayandeh River, but in the case of Lake Urmia, adequate actions have not been taken. Why? Instead, some government policies have led to the drying of the lake. Why? This is clear discrimination. This is how the Azerbaijani people are being targeted by the government. Urmia Lake is a living example that there is a double standard when it comes to the treatment of Azerbaijani people by the Islamic Republic.
What if Lake Urmia had not dried?
Lake Urmia may be dry now, but we can imagine a reality where it was not. Had the lake not been dried, it would bring back life. It would be a prosperous and popular tourist attraction. Its minerals and salt water would attract visitors from near and far. This would bring economic growth and development to the surrounding areas and region as a whole. There would be secure livelihoods, fertile soil and bountiful agriculture.
