Migratory birds return to endangered lake - The Best from Greece

Pelicans and cormorants have reportedly returned to endangered Lake Koroneia, east of Thessaloniki, during the ongoing autumn migration this month, scientists announced this week.

 

More than 700 pelican and other avian species reappeared after many years in Lake Koronia this past month.

 

Lake Koroneia faced an extremely serious ecological crisis over previous years, including pollution from agricultural and stockbreeding run-off and and industrial wastewaters.

 

The greatest depth of the lake fell from 8.5 metres in 1977 fell to 4.5m in 1987. In the summer of 2002 the spot where the lake was located was only a dried lake bed.

 

Efforts to restore the lake are currently focusing on persuading surrounding farmers to shut down some 2,200 illegal wells and funneling waters into a rejuventated wetlands.

 

Experts, meanwhile, have reported that the new irrigatiion network has resulted in an improvement in the qualitative characteristics of the lake's water. (AMNA)