KHOR KALMAT LAGOON

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Why in News?

Recently, aerial images of Khor Kalmat Lagoon have appeared darker and more vibrant, resembling blue ink bleeding, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Overview

Khor Kalmat is a tidal lagoon that fully forms only at high tide when waters from the Arabian Sea flow through a narrow channel carved into the coastline. At low tide, the lagoon almost completely empties, leaving behind exposed mudflats.

Location

• Location: Makran Coast in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, approximately 180 miles west of Karachi.
• Geography: Surrounded by harsh desert mountains known as the Makran Coast Ridge, which run parallel to much of the country’s coast.

Features

• Area: Spans around 17 miles at its widest point and includes the Makran Coastal Range, an arid desert mountain region.
• Ecological Importance: Home to sizable mangrove forests, serving as a crucial nursery for juvenile fish and other marine organisms, such as crustaceans and mollusks.
• Wildlife: At low tide, the exposed mudflats provide a hunting ground for wading birds residing in Buzi Makola Wildlife Sanctuary, located west of the lagoon.
• Livelihood: Provides timber for the few local residents who live along its shores.

Threats

• Environmental Pressures: Overfishing, deforestation of mangroves, and rising temperatures driven by human-induced climate change pose significant threats to the ecosystem.
• Proposed Construction: There is concern over the construction of a proposed Pakistani Naval Base, which could further threaten the delicate balance of the lagoon’s environment.