Nature: The case of the disappearing lake
In 1990, Pakistan Medical Association’s (PMA) Karachi branch organised its first round-the-lake marathon at the Haleji Lake in the Thatta district. Since then, the marathon has been organised regularly on the last Sunday of November or the first Sunday of December in which health workers, students and the general public run or walk around the lake.
I have participated in every Haleji Lake marathon in the past 27 years. Just 77 kilometres from Karachi, this great lake was once a popular picnic destination and renowned bird sanctuary (it is still known as one of Asia’s biggest bird sanctuaries). But over the years, I have witnessed its deterioration because of the apathy of the government, the departments concerned and visitors.
The local population routinely cuts trees without planting new ones. The visitors also have no respect for natural beauty and cut trees for firewood for cooking. It is painful to watch since kerosene stoves easily available in the same place could be used instead. Visitors pollute the lake and throw plastic bags and bottles here and there. I have also witnessed the deterioration of the big iron gate installed to control the flow of water.
The office building at the entrance is in bad shape, and needs renovation for years but it seems that nobody is there to do something about it. Haleji is drying slowly and a significant portion of the lake has become marshy with little or no water.
Haleji Lake was once one of Pakistan’s most famous artificial lakes but it may soon shrink into oblivion
With a surface area of only four kilometres (and a depth of five to seven metres), the lake is a big sanctuary for migratory birds (sadly not as big as it once was). More than 341 types of species have been identified on this lake.