A man stands on the edge of a fishing boat, which is run aground, as Lake Cavuscu starts to recede due to drought and agricultural irrigation in Ilgin district of Konya, Turkiye on October 15, 2024. (AA Photo)
By Anadolu Agency
Oct 19, 2024 12:31 PM
The receding water level of Lake Cavuscu, a freshwater lake in Türkiye’s central Konya province, has left local fishermen anxious about their future.
Prolonged drought has significantly lowered the lake’s water levels, posing a serious threat to the livelihoods of those who depend on fishing in the region in the Ilgin district of the province.
KONYA, TURKIYE – OCTOBER 15: An aerial view of fishing boats being run aground as Lake Cavuscu starts to recede due to drought and agricultural irrigation in Ilgin district of Konya, Turkiye on October 15, 2024. Recession in the water level of lake, hosting many bird species, makes villagers, who make a living from fishing, experience difficulties. ( Serhat Çetinkaya – Anadolu Agency )KONYA, TURKIYE – OCTOBER 15: An aerial view of fishing boats being run aground as Lake Cavuscu starts to recede due to drought and agricultural irrigation in Ilgin district of Konya, Turkiye on October 15, 2024. Recession in the water level of lake, hosting many bird species, makes villagers, who make a living from fishing, experience difficulties. ( Serhat Çetinkaya – Anadolu Agency )KONYA, TURKIYE – OCTOBER 15: An aerial view of fishing boats being run aground as Lake Cavuscu starts to recede due to drought and agricultural irrigation in Ilgin district of Konya, Turkiye on October 15, 2024. Recession in the water level of lake, hosting many bird species, makes villagers, who make a living from fishing, experience difficulties. ( Serhat Çetinkaya – Anadolu Agency )KONYA, TURKIYE – OCTOBER 15: An aerial view of fishing boats being run aground as Lake Cavuscu starts to recede due to drought and agricultural irrigation in Ilgin district of Konya, Turkiye on October 15, 2024. Recession in the water level of lake, hosting many bird species, makes villagers, who make a living from fishing, experience difficulties. ( Serhat Çetinkaya – Anadolu Agency )
In recent years, the lake’s water levels have steadily declined, driven by drought and agricultural irrigation.
As the waters continue to recede and marshland areas expand, the lake’s depth has dropped below one meter, leaving fishermen struggling to cope with the changing conditions.
Lake Cavuscu, which spans 27 square kilometers and is fed by streams from the slopes of the Sultan Mountains, is home to various bird species, including flamingos, pelicans and herons, as well as fish such as carp, mirror carp and freshwater chub.
