Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.13
By Temkin Jafarov - Trend:
The required environmental and technical permission for the implementation of the project to transfer the River Araz water to Lake Urmia have already been received. The economic evaluation of the project has been carried out and its implementation will soon begin, member of the Iranian parliament's presidium Alireza Munadi said on Feb.12, the Iranian İRNA agency reported.
Munadi said the contracting companies in this project have already been determined and investments for the implementation of the project will be provided by a German company. Currently, preparatory work to start the project is underway and the project will be launched by the end of the year (a year in Iran begins on March 21), according to Munadi.
The member of the Iranian parliament's presidium also stressed that around $1.2 billion will be invested in the project.
Lake Urmia covers nearly 6000 square kilometres of area. During the migration of migratory birds, the lake becomes their temporary home. Because of the prolonged drought, Urmia shallows are having an impact on the flora and fauna of the region.
Lake Urmia must have some 32 billion cubic meters of water however, but today half of it is shallow.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by S.M.