WEST AZERBAIJAN, Sep. 21 (MNA) � Japan ambassador to Tehran has said his country would cooperate with Iran to save Urmia Lake.
Koji Honda in a meeting with West Azerbaijan governor expressed Japan willingness for expansion of economic, commercial, scientific and industrial ties between the two countries in different fields


He pointed to bilateral cooperation between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Urmia Lake Restoration Committee of Iran and said that special workgroups and seminars on this issue discussed solutions to Urmia Lake saving proposal.


A team of Japanese experts visited Lake Urmia in April and examined through field studies the ecological conditions, the amount of incoming water, biodiversity in coasts and islands, factors contributing to drying lake, and implications of crisis in the ecosystem.


They also had visited Hassanlu Reservoir Dam to carry out an investigation into its wetland and its effect on Lake Urmia and the local agriculture.


Pointing to tourist attractions in West Azerbaijan, Honda hoped for cooperation of both sides to save the Lake.


About 85 per cent of the lake has turned into dried salt marsh, raising the possibility of salt winds and its implications on the local industries, agriculture and urban population.


By Mehr News Agency





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