Haleji Lake

Twenty three districts of Sindh, Pakistan. 1. Karachi 2. Jamshoro 3. Thatta 4. Badin 5. Tharparkar 6. Umerkot 7. Mirpur Khas 8. Tando Allahyar 9. Naushahro Feroze 10. Tando Muhammad Khan 11. Hyderabad 12. Sanghar 13. Khairpur 14. Nawabshah 15. Dadu 16. Qambar Shahdadkot 17. Larkana 18. Matiari 19. Ghotki 20. Shikarpur 21. Jacobabad 22. Sukkur 23. Kashmore (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Haleji Lake (Urdu: ہالیجی جھیل‎) is located in Thatta District, Sindh, Pakistan. It is the Asia’s largest bird sanctuary. ^[1]

 History

Originally, Haleji Lake was small. During World War II the then-British Government of Sindh decided to increase the capacity of the lake by introducing a feeder canal from the River Sindh. The work was placed on a war footing and was completed within 24 months. During the war, thousands of American and British troops were stationed in Karachi; the water supply was provided by Haleji Lake….. Haleji originally was a salt-water lake which was formed by seasonal water, collecting in a depression. During World War II, additional water was required for troops stationed at Karachi. Salt water was drained out and an embankment was constructed around the lake which was fed by fresh water through a canal. Resultantly, Haleji became one of the major sources of water supply to the increasing population of Karachi as well as an exquisite refuge for waterfowl.

A water reservoir, home to Siberian migratory birds from November till February – birds lover paradise in these months. Some crocodiles as well, and fishing.

Keenjhar Lake

English: Grave of Noori, in the middle of Keenjahr Lake. Noori Wife of Jam Tamachi, is burried with her Murshid “Spritual Leader”. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Keenjhar Lake (Urdu: ڪينجهر جھیل ‎Sindhi: ڪينجهر ڍنڍ) commonly called as Kalri Lake (Urdu: کلری جھیل ‎,Sindhi: ڪلڙي ڍنڍ ) is situated in Thatta District, Sindh, Pakistan. It is 122 km away from Karachi and 18 km away from Thatta town. It is the second largest fresh water lake of the Pakistan. It is an important source that provides the drinking water to Thatta District and Karachi city.^[1]

Keenjhar Lake has been declared a ramsar site and a wildlife sanctuary. It is favorable area for habitat of winter migratory birds like Ducks, Geese, Flamingos, Cormorants, Shorebirds, Herons, Egrets, Ibises, Terns, Coots and Gulls. It has been observed that it is the breeding area of Night Heron, Cotton Teal, Purple Moorehen, and Pheasant Tailed Jacana.^[2]

Keenjhar Lake is also a popular tourist resort. A large numbers of peoples visit there daily from Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta to enjoy picnic, swimming, fishing and boating.

The Sindhi legend of Noori Jam Tamachi took place around the lake, and to this day there is a shrine in the middle of the lake marking Noori’s grave. Everyday hundreds of devotees visit the shrine.