FAO holds workshop on effective use of agricultural water in Lake Urmia

TEHRAN – Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in cooperation with the Governorate of West Azarbaijan Province, has held a workshop on a project titled ‘Enhancing Restoration Activities in Lake Urmia through the Effective Use of Agricultural Water’, marking the official launch of the project’s second phase.

Japan funds FAO-UNDP project to help restore Lake Urmia

TEHRAN – With the financial support of the Government of Japan, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a cooperation document, aiming to help revive the drying Lake Urmia in northwestern Iran.

South Korean envoy visits West Azarbaijan, discusses tourism ties

TEHRAN — South Korea’s ambassador to Iran, Kim Jun-pyo, has paid a visit to West Azarbaijan, discussing ways to expand cultural and tourism ties with the northwestern Iranian province.

Lake Urmia water level shrinks by 51cm yr/yr

TEHRAN – The current water level of Lake Urmia stands at 1270.09 meters, indicating a fifty-one-centimeter decline compared to the same time last year.

Lake Urmia’s level 23cm above lowest recorded ever

TEHRAN – The current level of Lake Urmia amounts to 1270.27 meters, which is 23 centimeters more than the lowest figure recorded so far.

Spring rainfalls revive Lake Urmia’s reservoirs for wildlife

TEHRAN – Recent precipitations in spring have restored Lake Urmia's reservoirs, with 550,000 litres of water being stored for the wildlife, Behzad Shir-Panjeh, head of National Park of Lake Urmia, has said.

By Afshin Majlesi

Discover Shurgol wetland: a sanctuary for birds, wildlife, and nature lovers

TEHRAN – Shurgol wetland in northwest Iran is a favored destination for nature lovers and eco-tourists due to its rich biodiversity and unique landscapes.

Lake Urmia’s area shrinks due to low rainfall

TEHRAN – The area of Lake Urmia has declined due to reduced precipitations, reaching 1,140 square kilometers on April 4 compared to 1,350 square kilometres on the same day last year.

Lake Urmia’s water volume increases by 80 mcm

TEHRAN –According to the CEO of West Azarbaijan regional water company, the volume of water in Lake Urmia has risen by 80 million cubic meters compared to the same time last year, reaching 1,630 billion cubic meters.

Lake Urmia's water volume increases by 160 mcm yr/yr

TEHRAN –According to the latest report, Lake Urmia has around 1.55 billion cubic meters of water, showing a growth of 160 million cubic meters compared to the same time last year, IRNA reported on Sunday.

55 smuggled artifacts returned from Türkiye unveiled at Urmia Museum

TEHRAN - A special exhibition showcasing 55 smuggled Iranian artifacts recently returned from Türkiye has been inaugurated at the Urmia Museum of Archaeology.

Lake Urmia's rising level underscores effective restoration

TEHRAN –Satellite images show that the level of Lake Urmia basin, measured on January 24, has increased from 1,270.05 meters to 1,270.13 meters, and the volume of the lake has risen by 0.19 billion cubic meters, reaching 1.24 billion cubic meters, compared to the same day last year.

By Mehdi Garshasbi

FAO participates in project to support Lake Urmia restoration

TEHRAN – Through a joint project led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Government of Japan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will join to promote sustainable agricultural practices and solutions for the conservation of Lake Urmia.

Archaeologists uncover ancient iron production site south of Lake Urmia

TEHRAN - For the first time, archaeologists have discovered a historic iron production site in the Vesta Sheikh area south of Lake Urmia, northwest Iran.

UNDP welcomes contribution from Japan to strengthen wetland management, climate resilience in Iran

TEHRAN – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Islamic Republic of Iran has received a generous contribution of JPY 690,000,000 from the Government of Japan to enhance wetland management and strengthen climate resilience in Lake Urmia, Shadegan, Parishan, and Anzali wetlands.

Lake Urmia’s water volume, level grow yr/yr

TEHRAN—Lake Urmia is currently in better condition in terms of level and volume of water compared to last year, an official with West Azarbaijan governor general's office has said.

Armenian group visits historical sites in northwest Iran

TEHRAN - A group of Armenian nationals recently visited historical and religious sites in West Azarbaijan province as part of a familiarization tour organized by the provincial Department of Cultural Heritage and Tourism.

Urartu-era cuneiform inscription vandalized in northwest Iran

TEHRAN - Treasure hunters have vandalized an ancient cuneiform inscription and Iron Age cemetery in East Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

Satellite image showing Lake Urmia shades of red and orange

TEHRAN – The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite recently captured a transition in the color of Lake Urmia between April and July 2016.

Lake Urmia hosting migratory grey cranes, flamingos

TEHRAN –The first flocks of migratory grey cranes and flamingos have been spotted in satellite wetlands of Lake Urmia, northwestern West Azarbaijan province, an official with the provincial department of environment, has said.

Lake Urmia’s water volume increases by 1bcm yr/yr

TEHRAN –Despite the unprecedented increase in air temperature and water evaporation in summer, Lake Urmia has one billion cubic meters more water compared to the same period last year, an official with the provincial Department of Environment has said.

Excavation sheds new light on Mannai culture

TEHRAN – A recent archaeological work has shed new light on the Mannai civilization, which flourished in northwestern Iran in the 1st millennium BC.

Wetland being restored after 25 years

TEHRAN – Having been dried up for nearly 25 years, the Dargah Lotfollah wetland, located in Naqadeh county, northwestern West Azarbaijan province, is being revived, an official with the provincial department of environment has said.

Ancient artistry: the enduring legacy of Nazok-Kari in Urmia

TEHRAN - Nazok-Kari is an ancient craft being practiced in Urmia, in northwest Iran.

Lake Urmia festival held to celebrate revival

A cultural and recreational festival was held on Friday on the shores of Lake Urmia with the participation of people from all walks of life to celebrate the relative revival of the Lake thanks to recent precipitations.

Lake Urmia’s area expands to 1500 sq. km

TEHRAN – Thanks to a 43 percent increase in precipitation, the area of Lake Urmia basin has reached 1,500 square kilometers.

Lake Urmia’s area expands year on year

TEHRAN –Satellite images show that the area of Lake Urmia measured on February 22 was equal to 2,061 square kilometers which has increased compared to 1,819 square kilometers on March 7, 2023.

Heat islands in Lake Urmia aggravate low rainfall: expert

TEHRAN – The current drought and the severe aridity in Lake Urmia have created heat islands that intensify the heat and make the situation of low rainfall even more aggravated.