Lake Bakhtegan

Lake Bakhtegan Neyriz is the largest lake in the entire Fars province and one of the tourist attractions of Neyriz. This lake is a winter habitat for birds migrating from Russia and the Siberian plains to Iran. This lake has been severely damaged during recent droughts. Lake Bakhtegan Neyriz is among the most valuable wetlands of the region and Fars province, possessing very high environmental value. Lake Bakhtegan Neyriz covers about 3500 square kilometers, and the Sivand and Kor rivers are its main sources of water. The Sivand River connects to the Kor River along its course and then flows into Lake Bakhtegan. This lake had several small islands within it. The construction of dams, illegal well digging, and several years of drought have severely damaged this lake and sometimes turned it into a dry desert.