Environment Shortlist

Like much of the world, large parts of Iran are facing a long-term drought crisis. Lake Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once the largest saltwater lake in West Asia. It was a sanctuary for migratory and indigenous animals, and every year hundreds of tourists visited its shores. However, decades of drought, rising summer temperatures that accelerate evaporation, and increasing water demands from agriculture have shrunk the lake dramatically. Its water volume fell from 30 billion cubic metres in 1999, to just half a billion cubic metres in 2013, and today it is a barren salt marsh. Salt storms rising from its dry bed pose health hazards to surrounding regions, with more than 14 million people indirectly impacted by this environmental catastrophe. Deserted villages and small towns now surround the lake, as families have been forced to leave their homes, livelihoods and cherished memories behind. Lake Urmia stands as a silent witness to environmental neglect — a haunting reminder of what is lost when nature’s balance is disrupted.