Syros Davodi, Director General of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of East Azerbaijan, said: Changing the cultivation pattern and changing the livelihood of the people of the region from animal husbandry and agriculture to other occupations is one of the necessities of Urmia lake protection and its restoration.

He added: One thousand and 500 hectares of land east of Lake Urmia in Azarshahr city has been planted in line with the plans to combat desertification, and the implementation of this plan has had a significant effect on stabilizing the soil and preventing the creation of fine dust in this area.

He also emphasized the need to expand plans to deal with desertification in the eastern margin of Urmia Lake and continued: We are ready to develop bush and tree planting in the eastern margin of Urmia Lake and it is necessary to determine the duties of ranchers in this area who, despite having livestock grazing licenses They have been deprived of using the pastures of the region due to the flooding of the land bordering Urmia Lake.

Davoudi said: "It is necessary for the government to support livestock farmers and change the livelihood of the local communities on the shores of Lake Urmia.

He pointed to the flooding of the area and the prevention of livestock grazing despite the issuance of previous permits and said: "Unfortunately, the customary rights of the herdsmen of the region from pastures have not yet been determined after eight years of flooding the lands east of Lake Urmia."