Climate change and global warming have started showing their draconian outcomes. From India facing extreme hot weather conditions to Iraq is losing its national treasure declared lake, Sawa, it is prudent that climate change has altered places of historic importance.
Human greed and over-exploitation of resources have resulted in the vanishing of a full-fledged lake. This will adversely impact the ecosystem of the region and numerous species have lost their land. People residing in the region have lost their livelihood.
According to the Ramsar site, Sawa lake is located near the city of Samawa, south of the capital Baghdad. With no inlet or outlet, the lake is a closed water body in an area of sabkha (salt flat). It is generally fed by groundwater that originates from the higher western desert areas, though it can also be fed by local wadis temporarily.?
Formed over limestone rock, the chemistry of Sawa lake is unique. The site is home to several globally vulnerable species, namely the eastern imperial eagle, houbara bustard and marbled duck.?
Anthropogenic activities and climate change turned the lake into a barren wasteland with piles of salt. It has completely dried up. It is reported that the lake has been drying up since 2014 and has disappeared for the first time this year.
Climate Change and rising temperatures resulted in the drying up of this five-square-kilometre (two-square-mile) lake. Further, scanty rainfall and drought added to the situation?
The government issued a statement revealing that more than 1000 wells were dug illegally in the region for agricultural activities. Talking to france24.com, Youssef Jabbar, environmental department head of Muthana said, nearby cement and salt factories have "drained significant amounts of water from the groundwater that feeds the lake.¡±
The water level of the lake was normal until the 1990s and when the lake turned into a tourist facility for the people of the governorate, the situation started deteriorating. It is estimated that over 7,000 people used to arrive at the spot every year.
Further, regular activities including agricultural and industries surrounding the lake adversely impacted the lake.
Located in southern Iraq, Lake Sawa is called the Pearl of South by Iraqis and its water is used for medicinal purposes containing minerals.
Talking about the solutions, Hamid al-Nayef, official spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, told Al-Monitor that stopping the inventors to exploit the waters of the lake. The ministry of water resources and agriculture are required to work together as when the Agriculture ministry approves an investment project, ¡°it requires investors to obtain the approval of the Water Resources Ministry.¡±
An official at the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources told Al-Monitor that the decrease in water level in the lake was indicated years ago when agricultural investments in the Samawa desert and hydrological experts pointed to the depletion of the Dammam water-bearing layer.
Rich in flora and fauna, the country is on the verge of losing its cultural landmark with rare biodiversity. Iraq is among the 5 counties most affected by climate change as temperatures continue to rise with no rainfall in the Dhi Qar province.
The lake is declared a national treasure due to its extensive natural presence. Several endangered species found their home in the lake and it was a? good stopover for many migrating birds.
The lake has been reduced to a pond now where small fishes are the only animals that can survive.
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