Planting lavenders will save Lake Burdur

To draw attention to the alarming water level of Lake Burdur in recent years, lavender was thrown into Lake Bafa. Within the scope of the Burdur Lisinia Nature Project, lavender and rose were planted in an area of 240 and 190 decares, respectively. Speaking to the Daily Sabah, Veterinarian Öztürk Sarıca said Lake Burdur experiences a one-meter drop in water level every year caused by insensible water usage and vaporization over the Lake's surface related to global warming. Sarıca said that they aim to prolong the Lake's lifetime by planting plants that do not need watering, such as lavender and rose. "Local people practice cattle farming. The main animal feed of cattle, such as corn and clover, is planted around the Lake. As these plants need much watering, they cause the important underground sources which feed the Lake to dry up. By planting these plants [lavender and rose], which do not need watering and have financial value, we aim to make the local people switch to alternative plants [to] minimize the Lake's water level drop," said Sarıca. Harvesting of the plants as a part of the project with "Keep Lake Burdur Alive" slogan has begun. He informed that they are targeting local and overseas markets. He concluded Lake Bafa can only exist for 25 more years, but they want to prolong its lifetime for 50
to 100 more years.