Senegal's Pink Lake Turns Pink Again

Thousands of salt harvesters have returned to work at Senegal's Pink Lake, also known as Lake Retba. In August 2022, flash floods prompted authorities to divert floodwaters into the lake, reducing its salinity. As a result, the Dunaliella salina algae that give the lake its distinctive pink color disappeared.

The sudden ecological change deprived about 3,000 salt harvesters of their livelihoods, along with another 2,000 people working in transport and trade, and brought tourism to a standstill. In a typical year, the lake attracts up to 8,000 visitors.

Local communities and business owners later joined forces, raising about $40,000 to help restore the lake. With government support, they installed 600 m of piping and pumps to drain excess water into the sea. As the lake's salinity recovered, its iconic pink color gradually returned, along with the salt deposits that sustain the local industry.

Earlier this month, community representatives held a ceremony to mark the lake's official reopening, heralding a new chapter for the region and its tourism sector.

(Reuters, Max)