Seyfe Lake dries up; wetlands no longer bird haven due to damming up of water source

The drying up of Seyfe Lake, near Kirsehir, is due to the hijacking of the lake's two primary water sources, one through the building of a dam, the other through diversion of the water source for drinking water, say scientists. Seyfe Lake is listed under the protection of the International Ramsar Agreement as an A group wetlands region. Erciyes University Environmental Department faculty member Professor Ibrahim Peker has called for the "immediate release of the water sources feeding the Seyfe Lake," stressing that the wetlands could return to their original state, but only if there is immediate action taken. Professor Peker also notes that if the drying out of the lake continues, the more than 200 species of birds which have deserted the region may never again make the wetlands the stopover it once was on the international bird migratory path. Â