The Study of Environmental Degradation of Orumieh Lake from Environmental International Law Point of View

Wetlands are one of the most precious eco-systems of the earth. The need for protecting these rich eco-systems led the international community to formulate Ramsar Convention for protecting wetlands in 1971. The convention as the sole and most important convention on wetlands embodies the commitments of its member countries, including Iran to plan for the wise use of wetlands. Despite this commitment, Orumieh Lake, as one of the most important Iranian wetlands registered in Ramsar Convention is facing shrinking which could lead to drying due to the implementation of developmental-economic projects such as the construction of Shahid Kalantary highway over it and storage dams on its nourishing rivers. It seems that implementing economic projects has negative impact on the environmental situation of Orumieh Lake and is contrary to the wise use of the lake and other principles of environmental international law. Iran should use existing internal and international potentials to improve the environmental situation of Orumieh Lake.