Tehran, Dec 22, IRNA - A 600-strong workgroup has been formed in Sharif Industrial University to integrate the results of studies conducted by universities on ways to revive the Orumieh Lake, said an official.Issa Kalantari, head of the Headquarters for Reviving Orumieh Lake, added that the problem of Orumieh Lake should be resolved soon, stressing that universities play a crucial role in this respect.
Kalantari noted that the government has failed to use the potential of Iranian academic centers for solving the countrys problems.
Major projects were implemented by universities during the Iraq-imposed war (1980-88), but unfortunately the process did not continue, he said.
Kalantari cautioned that the drying up of Orumieh Lake will have major negative consequences for the city of Tabriz in East Azarbaijan province, urging regional universities to make their best efforts to revive the lake.
Each university can establish a future research center to offer scientific and applied strategies for resolving such problems, he said.
Kalantari believes that lower water use in the agricultural sector will help supply more water to Orumieh Lake.
In the past 20 years, about 85 percent of Orumieh Lake have gone dry. The present dismal conditions have persisted despite measures taken in the past few years to save the lake, which houses indigenous species and is considered a valuable reserve.
By IRNA
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