The deputy mayor of Van, Turkey, and other officials from the Province of Van are seriously concerned by the Province of Bitlis officials’ proposal to change the name of Lake Van either to Tatvan Sea, or Ahlat Sea, or Lake Bitlis Van.   

Van’s Deputy Mayor Sabri Abi stated that it will be very wrong to change the name of Lake Van because it is known as such since ancient times and the tourists come to see “Lake Van.” He therefore called upon the Bitlis officials to engage in preserving the Lake instead of changing its name, Sabah daily of Turkey informs.    

Lake Van and Environment Protection Department Head Ali Cavdar likewise responded to Bitlis officials and recalled that the Lake’s most polluted shores are inside the Province of Bitlis and, instead of preserving it, the Bitlis residents want to change the name of the Lake. 

To note, Bitlis officials wish to change Lake Van’s name because they claim it was mentioned as “Tatvan Sea” in an Ottoman archive.