(10 ha) covered by reed. In 1978, the area of the lake was declared zapovednik thus setting the highest level of protection category allowing only the scientific research. In 2001, the global importance of the lake was internationally recognized when the area was declared as Important Bird Area (IBA) when it was placed in the list of Ramsar wetlands of international importance. Therefore, in 2003, the protected area was enlarged by the presidential decree to the size . It is managed by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Republic. The ministry supervises the activities in preservation of the flora and fauna in the protected area and guards it against illegal hunting and fishing. Climate The lake usually does not freeze with a few exceptions due to infrequent severe frost. The total annual precipitation at the lake is up to 332 mm, minimum being 13 mm in August and maximum of 37 mm in March. Effects of Karabakh conflict Due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons from Karabakh and Armenia were resettled in many regions of Azerbaijan, a large part of which was concentrated in the Aghjabadi district; some were placed in villages around Ağgöl. Due to lack of food, this caused an increase in illegal fishing, thus affecting the fauna of the lake. See also Ağgöl National Park Gizil-Agach State Reserve Lake Sarysu Rivers and lakes in Azerbaijan References External links Satellite image of Sarysu from GeoNames Lakes of Azerbaijan Protected areas of Azerbaijan Ramsar sites in Azerbaijan Landslide-dammed lakes