Türkiye’s lakes are almost dying due to the negative effects of global climate change and pollution. The negative situation on natural assets is put forward in many scientific report, while the destruction in Tuz Lake draws attention. After Lake Van, the salt lake with the largest evaporation is shrinking every year. So much so; Ankara, Konya and Aksaray borders in the intersection of the salt lake basin, drought and excessive evaporation due to the water level decreases significantly, while water resources and agricultural land in the region is negatively affected.
Birds are threatened
Tuz Gölü is one of the most important salt production centers in Türkiye and plays a critical role in terms of biological diversity as a living space of many bird species. However, in the geography under the risk of desertification, the living spaces of immigrant birds, especially Flamingos, are threatened to extinate. Former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. Dr. Mustafa Ozturk, Tuz Lake Basin Aksaray’ın, Türkiye is one of the least rainfall cities, he said.
Longing for rain
In the Salt Lake Basin, the average annual amount of rainfall is only 324 mm/square meters. Dr. Ozturk, “However, even this low rate has decreased in recent years. In January 2025, the monthly rainfall falling to Tuz Lake Basin was recorded as one of the lowest levels of recent years with 10 mm/square meter. In the Central Anatolia Region, water year rainfall was measured as 82 mm/square meters; This amount is well below 155 mm/square meter, which has average for many years in the region. “ he said.
CHAIN REACTION
Dursun Yıldız, President of the Water Policy Association, pointed out that my agricultural irrigation is largely based on groundwater in the settlements around the lake and said: “There is a significant decrease in underground water levels. This directly affects the production of water -dependent products such as corn, sunflower and sugar beet. While farmers experience great economic losses due to low yield and increase in irrigation costs, some manufacturers have to completely give up production. “
Plant structure is deteriorated
“In addition, the spread of salty soils to the environment with the withdrawal of the lake water further reduces the efficiency of the agricultural land in the region. Salt soils prevent the development of plants by disrupting the root structure. It is clear that the water crisis in the Salt Lake Basin is not only an environmental problem, but also a serious economic and social threat.. In order to reduce the effects of climatic changes in the region, the preparation of emergency action plans, the transition to modern methods in agricultural irrigation and the protection of underground water resources are of great importance. “
60 percent dry
On the other hand, the painting in Tuz Lake is seen in other natural sources. In the reports, it is stated that 60 percent of the lake nearly 300 and small lakes throughout Türkiye are completely dry or lost their natural features to a great extent, while it is noted that many lake areas are irreversible due to pollution. In the reports, there are 76 wetlands registered in Türkiye, but only 24 of them are emphasized that the water management plan is prepared, Avlan, Seyfe, Sazlık Kulu, Sarıgöl, Raced, Kurigöl, Kırkpınar, Acıgöl, Uyuz, Suğla, Mek, Güvenç, Sasam, Kocagöl, Karagöl, Hotamış reeds and small lakes, such as a large number of water levels are underlined.
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