Iran's Lake Urmia used to be the largest lake in the Middle East. But the salt lake has shrunk by two-thirds since 1997.
Iran's Lake Urmia used to be the largest lake in the Middle East. But the salt lake has shrunk by two-thirds since 1997.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
According to the United Nations Development Program, the lake has shrunk because of Iran's water crisis and detrimental agricultural policies.
According to the United Nations Development Program, the lake has shrunk because of Iran's water crisis and detrimental agricultural policies.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
The area's agriculture and economy have suffered. Many people have moved away.
The area's agriculture and economy have suffered. Many people have moved away.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
Meysam Mir Zendehdel, a documentary photographer, took his first trip to the lake in 2013.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel, a documentary photographer, took his first trip to the lake in 2013.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
A washed-up boat sits empty in the lake.
A washed-up boat sits empty in the lake.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
A shot from inside the boat.
A shot from inside the boat.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
Bleak and austere, the atmosphere at Lake Urmia appears completely desolate. "After seeing it, I found it an environmental and social disaster," Zendehdel said. "It was a tragedy."
Bleak and austere, the atmosphere at Lake Urmia appears completely desolate. "After seeing it, I found it an environmental and social disaster," Zendehdel said. "It was a tragedy."
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
A herd of sheep walks at the lake.
A herd of sheep walks at the lake.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
Wooden planks remind you that water was once in abundance here.
Wooden planks remind you that water was once in abundance here.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
People pack bags of what appears to be salt.
People pack bags of what appears to be salt.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
Some people still live at the lake, according to Zendehdel, but most moved out to neighboring villages after their farms were depleted.
Some people still live at the lake, according to Zendehdel, but most moved out to neighboring villages after their farms were depleted.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has pledged $5 billion to fix the lake over the next 10 years.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has pledged $5 billion to fix the lake over the next 10 years.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
The extreme salinity of the lake allowed people to swim and relax without sinking.
The extreme salinity of the lake allowed people to swim and relax without sinking.
Meysam Mir Zendehdel
"When you walk on dried crystal of salt, in the absolute silence, you hear just the sound of cracking salt crystal," Zendehdel said. "You remember that the sound of water in this area had been people's life, and it's very disappointing that that silence of the lake has silenced the life."
"When you walk on dried crystal of salt, in the absolute silence, you hear just the sound of cracking salt crystal," Zendehdel said. "You remember that the sound of water in this area had been people's life, and it's very disappointing that that silence of the lake has silenced the life."
Meysam Mir Zendehdel