Lake Bafa, which hosts 261 bird, 22 reptile and 19 mammal species, has retreated by several metres around Kapıkırı and Gölyaka settlements – causing major concerns.

Bafa, which is the largest natural lake in the Aegean Region and globally renowned for its biodiversity, is facing great danger due to drought conditions that has increased its effects recently.

The lack of sufficient rain in the surrounding areas this year has caused the water level to drop radically. Even with the water withdrawal, birds are still feeding in the inner parts of the lake.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceyhun Özçelik from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University stated that the water level in the lake changes depending on the incoming and outgoing flows, and that Lake Bafa has been going through difficult times due to drought in recent years.

Özçelik stated that the lake is polluted due to pollutants brought by the Büyük Menderes River, and that the amount of oxygen decreases as the water level decreases.

He emphasized that the drought in the lake also negatively affects species such as migratory birds and fish.

Özçelik stated that water allocation and water management in the region should be addressed on a basin basis, and that wastewater returning from industrial facilities and agricultural areas damages the lake. Özçelik said he has hopes the water levels will recover with the arrival of winter rainfall.