SAEDNEWS: The declining water level of the Caspian Sea is expected to accelerate the drying of Anzali Lagoon, and environmental experts warn that the lagoon could be completely dry within the next 35 years.
The vital arteries of this 20,000-hectare lagoon—once one of the largest and most beautiful natural wildlife habitats—have been disrupted by the inflow of domestic and industrial wastewater, invasive plants like water hyacinth and azolla, sediment accumulation, failure to implement comprehensive watershed management plans, lack of water rights delivery, and the declining Caspian Sea level. According to the Governor of Gilan, one of the major problems facing the Anzali International Lagoon is the daily discharge of approximately 380,000 cubic meters of wastewater, which has caused significant environmental impacts on the lagoon’s ecosystem.
Despite these challenges, the picturesque Anzali Lagoon remains one of Gilan and the Caspian Sea’s major tourist destinations, attracting visitors from across the country every year.
