An aerial view showing the Sawa Lake completely dry due to years of drought in Iraq's southern province of al-Muthanna. Photos: Asaad Niazi/AFP
A "No Fishing" sign on the edge of Iraq's western desert is one of the few clues that this was once Sawa Lake, a biodiverse wetland and recreational landmark.
Human activity and climate change have combined to turn the site into a barren wasteland with piles of salt.Abandoned hotels and tourist facilities here hark back to the 1990s when the salt lake, circled by sandy banks, was in its heyday and popular with newly-weds and families who came to swim and picnic.
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An aerial view showing the Sawa Lake completely dry due to years of drought in Iraq's southern province of al-Muthanna. Photos: Asaad Niazi/AFP
Iraqi environmental activist Dibes working in his home garden which was turned into a public park in Iraq's southern city of Samawa.
This picture shows abandoned hotels and tourist facilities at the dried-up Sawa Lake.
An aerial view showing a pond remaining at the dried-up Sawa Lake.
Horses running in Lake Milh, also known as Razzaza Lake, which is facing the perils of drought in Iraq's central province of Karbala. Photo: Mohammed Sawaf/AFP
An aerial view showing Lake Milh, which is suffering from the effects of drought. Photo: Mohammed Sawaf/AFP
A fisherman carrying his catch at Iraq's Lake Milh, also known as Razzaza Lake, which is drying up due to drought. Photo: Mohammed Sawaf/AFP
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