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August 4, 2009
Preachers and teachers help conserve Turkish wetland
Lake Burdur is internationally important for wintering and passage waterbirds, and has been threatened in recent years by pollution, urban development and unsustainable agricultural practices. In response, Doğa Derneği - the BirdLife Partner Designate for Turkey - recently drafted a sermon to educate the local community of Burdur on the importance of conserving their lake.
White-headed Duck © Rony Livne, from the surfbirds galleries
“…Water is one of the countless blessings and a source of life for us, as well as for all of Earth’s creatures”, said Burdur’s Provincial Mufti. “ It is estimated that through the sermon Doğa Derneği reached approximately 52,000 people across over 1,000 mosques in all the villages, towns, districts and provincial centre of Burdur. The first of its kind in Burdur, the sermon highlighted the responsibility of humans in protecting the environment and wildlife.
Lake Burdur is an Important Bird Area (IBA) and one of nine Ramsar wetlands of international importance in Turkey. It is very important for wintering waterbirds, and is the single most important wintering site for Endangered White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala - over two-thirds of the world’s wintering population occur at Burder Lake.
The Lake is facing degradation pressure due to the unrestricted use of water resources which feeds the basin which is leading to its rapid retreat and a marked decrease in crop productivity and soil quality. Poor management of water resources continue to threaten the ecosystem’s balance, its ecological integrity and the species which depend on it.
Posted by Surfbirds at August 4, 2009 4:55 PM
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