Egypts Lake Qarun faces severe decline in wildlife population

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Fayoum, Egypt - Residents of Shakshouk, a village surrounding Lake Qarun, report an overpowering smell emanating from the water. The lake, located in the Fayoum Oasis, has long been known for its abundant fish population. However, little fishing activity is currently taking place.

Boats are parked along the shore, with only one or two crossing the lake every few hours. Many of the dozens of fish restaurants lining the waterfront are closed, and those that remain open have no customers inside. The smell and lack of fishing activity are linked to a recent increase in untreated sewage being discharged into the lake through small drainage channels.

According to local fishermen, the situation is “unbearable due to pollution.” In contrast to previous reports, which highlighted the return of flamingos to the lake, the reality on the ground suggests that the lake’s environmental conditions remain poor.

In December, photographs of flamingos wading through the lake’s shallows were widely shared and attributed to a government-led restoration project. However, officials from Egypt’s environment ministry have clarified that migratory birds had never fully disappeared from Lake Qarun, but rather experienced an increase in numbers and duration of stay.

Despite being designated as a natural reserve in 1989, covering an area of 1,385 square kilometres, Lake Qarun continues to face significant pollution issues. The lake’s physical and chemical transformation over the past century has been marked by fluctuations in surface area and salinity levels.

According to experts, the lake’s problems began before 2011 but worsened after the revolution due to a security vacuum and lack of oversight. The current state of the lake is characterized by its shallow depth and high levels of pollutants, including leaked chemicals and waste.

Source: Al Jazeera