The first autumn precipitation has fed Lake Urumia islands and restored the region’s vegetation partially, said Hassan Abasnezhad, director general of the Department of Environment (DoE), Western Azarbaijan Province.
With the construction of rainwater harvesting systems in the saltwater lake’s Ashk and Kaboudan islands, the autumn precipitation will be harnessed in the water reservoirs, IRNA reported.
The measure is a step towards conserving the region’s water resources as well as its wildlife.
This summer, water was supplied to Ashk Island through pumping and tanker vehicles, but with the onset of autumn and the recent good rainfalls, it had been stopped, the official said.
To protect the region’s Fallow Deer, 14 water reservoirs and pools have been constructed in Ashk and most of them have now replenished their water supply. Stored water in the reservoirs can be drawn only if urgently needed.
At present the Yellow Fallow deer has a favorable habitat. According to the latest observations and census, there are over 250 Fallow Deer on the lake’s islands.
