Iran: Protests to Save Lake Urmia Reignited
Once again thousands of protesters have poured into streets of Tabriz and Urmia in Iran's Azerbaijan region on Saturday to call on the Iranian government to save the dying Urmia Lake, one of the world's largest salt water lakes.
From dying lake to saving country
A photo of Lake Urmia from space in 1984 by NASA (PD via Wikimedia Commons)
Blogger Urmuiscierli writes [fa] that there were battles on the streets with security forces beating up and arresting protesters, and even tying them to trees. Some bloggers called on more Iranians to support the Azeri activists and relaunch anti-regime demonstrations around country.
The construction of a dam on part of the lake, accompanied by a recent drought has significantly decreased the annual amount of water Urmia receives. This in turn has increased the salinity, repelling many birds and threatening permanent damage to the ecosystem. If the lake dries out, millions of people in the region will need to resettle to survive.
Protesters in Urmia
In Urmia, people say the lake is dying and that the authorities are responsible.
Azarakan writes [fa] that the spark started in Azerbaijan, and that we should now support their struggle and do what we can to stop regime forces repressing Azeri people. He says, this is a rare opportunity and that we should go on until freedom.
1freecountry writes [fa] that Urmia Lake does not distinguish between Tehran and Tabriz, we should organize in coming days everywhere.
Mosbate1000 says [fa] that:
Revolutionary Guards are responsible for constructing such dams to make a lot of profit. We should be aware of the cyber army of the Revolutionary Guards. In such occasions they post and share links to divide Iranians.
Doughodushab calls on [fa] Iranians to defend Urmia Lake and Azerbaijan. The blogger writes that we are all trapped by the Islamic regime and should protect our natural and cultural heritage.
Andarbab suggests [fa] that this Tuesday in Tehran and other cities people protest and demonstrate for supporting Azerbaijan.
21 comments
Recent uprising in towns & cities of South Azerbaijan against central government proves that policy-makers` gamble on long-term intention of uprooting of indigenous people is already backfiring and emerging news from the area indicates that the public outcry is far from over which leaves the regime in a shaky and vulnerable position, particularly, considering the country`s desolate economy and the recent political changes in the region.It is not unrealistic at all that the current unrest could trigger a wider protest similar to the likes of Tunis and Egypt which could ultimately bring the government down as it did 32 years ago and the central government is too aware of this fact.Nevertheless,On this occasion, it is the utmost duty of Azeris` political elite to remain vigilent and to deflect any attempt by opposition groups to highjack the movement for their own purposes which occured during the last revolution with the well-known outcome for Azeris.