$200 billion needed to save Iran’s Lake Urmia

Mohsen Jalapour, deputy head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce Industries and Mines (ICCIMA), said that Lake Urmia needed $200 billion in order to save it from drying-up, Trend reports.Urmia has an area of about 6,000 square kilometers. Birds use the lake for temporary migration. Its drying-up affects the flora and fauna of the region.Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchiyan said during the visit to the lake in mid-September that it needed 32 billion cubic meters of water.Iran granted $900 million to prevent its drying-up in September 2011. The UNDP granted Iran $135 million for the ecological problem, but the funds were used for other purposes in 2011. No funds were granted for the cause in 2012.

Mohsen Jalapour, deputy head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce Industries and Mines (ICCIMA), said that Lake Urmia needed $200 billion in order to save it from drying-up, Trend reports.

Urmia has an area of about 6,000 square kilometers. Birds use the lake for temporary migration. Its drying-up affects the flora and fauna of the region.

Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchiyan said during the visit to the lake in mid-September that it needed 32 billion cubic meters of water.

Iran granted $900 million to prevent its drying-up in September 2011. The UNDP granted Iran $135 million for the ecological problem, but the funds were used for other purposes in 2011. No funds were granted for the cause in 2012.