Ancient crafts: a glance at 'Nazok-Kari' in Urmia

TEHRAN - Nazok Kari, or craft of making very delicate objects, both applicable and artistic, from wood, is one of the Persian crafts which is practiced in Urmia for centuries.

Forgotten wood figurines to reappear in Urmia 

TEHRAN – The local skill of making hand-carved wood figurines, which is currently obsolete in the city of Urmia, northwestern West Azarbaijan province, is planned to be revived in near future. 

Historical sites demarcated in West Azarbaijan to curb illegal digging, land grabbing

TEHRAN – Nearly all historical and archaeological sites in northern parts of West Azarbaijan province have recently been demarcated in a bid to restrict illegal digging and land grabbing, CHTN reported on Wednesday.

Qajar-era crypt unearthed while digging at house yard in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – A historical crypt, supposed to date from the Qajar era (1789–1925), has recently been unearthed in the city of Urmia in northwest Iran while workers were digging in the yard of a house.

Urmia-Mashhad passenger train route launched

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways launched a passenger train route on Sunday, stretching some 1,650 kilometers from the northwestern city of Urmia to the holy city of Mashhad in the northeast.

International contribution ‘not sufficient’ for Urmia Lake restoration

TEHRAN – International contribution to revive Urmia Lake is not sufficient, as only Japan has provided an annual financial assistance amounting to $1 million since the past six years, National Wetlands Conservation Project manager, Ali Arvahi, has said.

Lake Urmia water level on the rise

TEHRAN – The level of water at Lake Urmia increased by 1.04 centimeters on Tuesday compared to the same day last year, according to the studies conducted by the Lake Urmia conservation program committee.

4th conference of ‘Examples of Patience’ held in Urmia

TEHRAN – According to the Public Relations Department of the Association for Defending Victims of Terrorism (ADVT), the 4th conference of “The Examples of Patience” was held in Urmia to pay tribute to the martyrs and survivors of terrorism in West Azerbaijan Province. 

Police helicopter crashes in northwest Iran

TEHRAN — A police helicopter crashed in Urmia, northwest Iran on Wednesday at noon, Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran says will take preemptive strikes against border threats

TEHRAN - Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said on Wednesday that Iran will take strong preemptive strikes against any action that threatens security of national borders.

Urmia Museum of Anthropology adds manuscripts gallery

TEHRAN – Urmia Museum of Anthropology in West Azarbaijan province has added a new gallery, special for rare handwritten manuscripts.

Urmia to host crafts exhibit

TEHRAN – A sales exhibition of handicrafts is due to open on Monday in the northwestern city of Urmia, the capital of West Azarbaijan province.

Water transfer won’t revive Lake Urmia: official

TEHRAN — Water transfer won’t restore Lake Urmia, Hedayat Fahimi, an official with the Ministry of Energy has said, noting that promoting sustainable agriculture is the way to save the lake.

By Mohammad Ali Haqshenas

Salt mining in Lake Urmia: Opportunity vs. threat

The dryness of Lake Urmia in recent decades has revealed great salt reserves in its bed. Estimations for the amount of salt in the lake varies from 6 to 10 billion tons. That’s certainly a great potential for mining and has already tempted some individuals to extract some salt, however, there are different views on salt mining in the region.