WAN - The drought in Wan (Van) due to the decrease in rainfall has almost dried up the lakes of Arçak (Erçek) and Sıxke (Sihke), which are called "bird paradise". 

 

The climate crisis, over-irrigation, wrong agricultural policies and the gradual decrease in rainfall have led to the drying up of lakes and water withdrawal. Lake Arçak, 30 kilometres away from Wan, and Lake Sıxke, located in the city centre, have shrunk by metres, while the water flow rate has reached the lowest level in history. 

 

The shoreline of Lake Arçak, which is located in the basin of Lake Wan, visited by dozens of local and foreign tourists every year and is one of the important wetlands of the city, has experienced a large-scale water withdrawal. With the snow and rainfall falling below seasonal norms this year, there is a significant drying in the coastal areas of the lake due to the effect of global warming.

 

While the water level of Arçak Lake, which hosts migratory birds especially in spring and summer, decreased visibly, dry areas were formed on the shoreline. The recession of the water level every year threatens the natural life in the ecosystem of the lake. 

 

The lake, which is the habitat of about 230 bird species in Turkey, has exposed the bird population here to dangers with the withdrawal of water in the reed areas. The Filamingo Observation Towers built around the lake, which is known for hosting filamingos in the city, are no longer on the shore of the lake but far away from it. 

 

SEAGULL DEATHS INCREASED IN LAKE SIXKE

 

Another lake that has fallen victim to environmental pollution, wrong agricultural policies and global warming is Sıxke Lake, located within the borders of Tûşba (Tuşba) and Rîya Armûşê (İpekyolu) districts of Wan. In Lake Sıxke, which is home to many living creatures, the life of living creatures is under threat with the withdrawal of water. The deaths of seagulls, one of the creatures living around the lake, have also increased.