Lake Orumieh (Urmia), located near Iran's border with Turkey, has been a flash point for previous protests.
Police in the Iranian city of Orumieh have cracked down on protesters demonstrating against the continued drying up of neighboring Lake Orumieh, according to BBC Persian reports.
Videos uploaded to YouTube show large groups of people chanting slogans including, "Whoever stands aside and doesn't do anything is a coward."
The authenticity of the videos cannot be independently verified.
Eyewitnesses told the BBC that police arrested "dozens" of protesters and beat several others with batons.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
2/15Located near the city of Orumieh, known as the “Paris of Iran,” the lake has historically attracted visitors from across the country.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
3/15But Lake Orumieh is now better known as the site of an environmental disaster.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
4/15One of the world’s largest saltwater lakes, Orumieh has shrunk by some 60 percent in recent years due to drought and the diversion of rivers to supply upstream communities with water.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
5/15Areas that used to be underwater are now accessible by car.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
6/15Stranded boats line what used to be the lake’s shores some 6 kilometers from the nearest water.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
8/15Salt drifts have accumulated in the dry lake bed.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
9/15Due to the desertification of the region, authorities are warning that as many as 1 million inhabitants might have to be relocated within five to six years.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
10/15Residents and environmental activists are pushing for action to help restore the water levels. Little can be done about the drought, but the amount of river water diverted for irrigation can be reduced, allowing more to reach the lake.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
11/15A fast-track solution to help save the lake was rejected in an August 17 vote in Iran’s parliament, the Majlis.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
12/15The slow death of Lake Orumieh has now become a hot-button political issue.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
13/15The lake borders Iran’s East and West Azerbaijan provinces, home to much of Iran’s ethnic Azeri population; the region’s history of protest against Tehran has helped galvanize demonstrations for policies to save the lake.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
14/15Without decisive action, this UNESCO biosphere reserve -- home to hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, and mammals -- might disappear forever.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
Lake Orumieh, or Urmia, in northwestern Iran, was once one of that country's most beautiful natural wonders. Now, shrunk by drought and mismanagement of rivers, the lake is better known as an environmental disaster.
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