Chinna Creek (Urdu: چنا کریک) is a lagoon, within the municipal boundaries of Karachi, on the coastline of the Arabian Sea, located in the south-west region of Sindh, Pakistan.
| Chinna Creek | |
|---|---|
| China Creek | |
 View on the Chinna Creek and its mangroves from the sky embedded into the city | |
  Chinna Creek | |
| Location |  Sindh |
| Coordinates | 24°30′00″N 67°00′00″E / 24.500°N 67.00°E |
| Type | Brackish water lagoon and wetland |
| Primary inflows | Boat Basin, Nehr-e-Khayyam and other sewage and wastewater channels |
| Primary outflows | Arabian Sea, northern Indian Ocean |
| Basin countries | Pakistan |
| Max. length | 5.0 kilometres (3.1 mi)[1] |
| Max. width | 0.3–0.5 kilometres (0.19–0.31 mi)[1] |
| Surface area | 6.0 square kilometres (2.3 sq mi)[1] |
| Average depth | 1.0 m (3.3 ft) |
| Max. depth | 3.0 m (9.8 ft)[1] |
| Surface elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Islands | Minor mangrove islands |
| Settlements | Karachi |
Covering an area of approximately 6 square kilometres, it extends approximately 5.0 kilometres in length and spans between 300 and 500 metres in width, with depths ranging from 1 to 3 metres.[1]
Location edit
Positioned at the eastern periphery of the Karachi Harbour, Chinna Creek holds strategic importance in the maritime infrastructure of the region. The environs surrounding Chinna Creek is diverse. To its west lies the Native Jetty Bridge leading towards the Keamari, while to the east it converges with Boat Basin. The northern bank of Chinna Creek features notable landmarks such as the PNSC building, Beach Luxury Hotel, Lalazar Bungalows, Boat Club, Port House, Naval Officers Residence, Karachi Club, and KPT Officers Society. Conversely, the southern bank shares borders with East Wharf and residential areas including Bhutta Village, Sikandarabad, Majeed Colony, and Okhai Colony.[1]
History edit
Prior to the establishment of the Karachi port in 1873, Chinna Creek boasted two entrances: one at the Manora channel and another at Clifton. The Clifton entrance was sealed off, redirecting its flow to utilise the western breakwater as an intertidal reservoir. The natural landscape of Chinna Creek was characterised by a lush ecosystem dominated by dense mangrove growth, predominantly consisting of the species Avicennia marina.[2] These mangroves played a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region, providing habitat and sustenance to diverse flora and fauna endemic to the coastal areas of Karachi.[3]
Environmental issues edit
The mangrove ecosystem of Chinna Creek not only served as a protective barrier against coastal erosion and storm surges but also contributed to the overall environmental health. However, the transformation of the creek's dynamics due to human interventions, including the closure of the Clifton entrance, had significant implications for the ecology and biodiversity of the area, altering the natural habitat and ecosystem dynamics over time.[4]
Chinna Creek faces significant environmental challenges due to the influx of untreated wastewater and toxic waste from various sources within Karachi. The creek receives approximately 16 million gallons of untreated wastewater daily, originating from the Nehr-e-Khayyam, TPX drain, and a drain associated with Habib Public School.[5] Additionally, there is an indirect impact stemming from approximately 200 million gallons per day of wastewater discharged by the Lyari River.[1] These combined discharges have implications for the marine ecosystem of Chinna Creek, leading to the degradation and loss of natural flora and fauna essential for maintaining a stable and beneficial ecological balance.[6]
The presence of untreated wastewater and toxic waste has placed immense pressure on the mangrove forests within the vicinity of Chinna Creek.[4] These vital ecosystems are under severe stress due to elevated toxicity levels, resulting in detrimental effects on their health and viability. Studies have highlighted the grave pollution levels within the creek, revealing a diverse array of toxic pollutants originating from both domestic and industrial sources, posing significant risks to marine life and ecosystem integrity.[7][5][8]
The absence of robust environmental regulations and the prevalence of illegal waste disposal practices further exacerbate the pollution burden on Chinna Creek.[9] These factors hinder the creek's ability to maintain a natural and untouched appearance, impeding efforts to mitigate environmental degradation and restore ecological balance.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Khan, Moazzam Ali; Zaheen, Wafra Matanat; Shaukat, Shahid (20 December 2012). "Biodiversity in Benthic Communities of Chinna Creek". FUUAST Journal of Biology. 2 (2 December): 19–24. ISSN 2616-8758. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ Saifullah, S. M.; Shaukat, S. S.; Shams, S. (1 March 1994). "Population structure and dispersion pattern in mangroves of Karachi, Pakistan". Aquatic Botany. 47 (3): 329–340. Bibcode:1994AqBot..47..329S. doi:10.1016/0304-3770(94)90062-0. ISSN 0304-3770. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ Aziz, Irfan; Gulzar, Salman; Noor, Meher; Khan, M. Ajmal (2005). "Seasonal variation in water relations of Halopyrum mucronatum (L.) Stapf. growing near Sandspit, Karachi". Pakistan Journal of Botany. 37 (1): 141–148. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ a b Ilyas, Faiza (24 September 2017). "Study on pollution affecting Karachi coast launched". Dawn. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ a b Tariq, Sadia; Khan, Moazzam Ali; Alamgir, Aamir (1 January 2016). "Physico-Chemical Profile of Malir River and Chinna Creek". Procedia Environmental Sciences. 34: 514–524. doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2016.04.045. ISSN 1878-0296.
- ^ Moeen, Heba (14 October 2019). "Karachi's polluted sea". Dawn. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Guriro, Amar (11 June 2016). "Catch-22: Karachi's marine pollution shows catastrophic results". Dawn. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Situational Analysis of Water Resources of Karachi" (PDF). WWF Pakistan. p. 64. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Jabri, Parvez (7 October 2013). "New 'trend' emerges in Karachi: Mafia encroaching on sea". Brecorder. Retrieved 12 March 2024.