Bundal Island
Bundal Island ({{lang-ur|جزیرہ بھنڈار}) (Sindhi: ڀنڍار ٻيٽ) is a small island located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi, Sindh. It is an inhabited island on which old Sufi Saint shrine also present Pakistan. On which every year fair is set up. On Bhandar Island, there are 3,349 hectares of dense tamer forests that provide habitat and nursery for a wide variety of marine life, in addition to a wide variety of fish, prawns and crabs. Cutting down these forests for construction would mean that this marine life would leave here. According to the WWF, Pakistan earns $390 million annually from seafood exports. It may be recalled that 1800 species of fish are caught from the Pakistani sea out of which 350 species have a rich commercial value. There are also 25 species of prawns, four species of lobster, six species of crabs and 12 species of shells.
Bundal Island
جزیرہ بھنڈار ڀنڍار ٻيٽ | |
|---|---|
 Flag  Seal | |
  Bundal Island Location in Pakistan | |
| Coordinates: 24°43′25″N 67°07′35″E | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Government | |
| • Type | Self-governing Islands Sindh control |
| Area | |
| • Total | 120 km2 (50 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | inhabitanted |
| • Rank | nil |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (PST) |
| Website | www |
The share of Pakistan's agricultural sector in GDP is close to 22% of which 1% is in the fisheries sector. According to statistics, the amount of fish caught from the Pakistani sea is 6.5 million tons per year, while Sindh fishing industry employs an estimated 4 million people. There are 90 species of fish around these islands alone. The islands are rich in biodiversity, with 29 species of sea snakes, 29 species of plants and 50 species of birds. A 2008 survey found 160,000 winter migratory birds on the islands. In addition, the islands are home to some of the world's rarest green turtles that travel millions of miles to lay their eggs on our shores. If this path is closed, the survival of these innocent creatures will be further endangered. The islands are part of the Indus Delta, a globally protected Ramsar site, and as a ratifier, Pakistan must protect the Indus Delta. In addition, Pakistan has signed the International Biological Protection Act, which requires the sustainable management of marine resources and the protection of these endangered species.
Yusuf Shah
On Bundal Island lies the tomb of Muslim Sufi Yusuf Shah is located. The annual urs of Yusuf Shah attract thousands of coastal people to the island. The island looked like a city during the urs. Churna and Buddo Islands are also located near Bundal Island. There is a dispute between the provincial government of Sindh and Port Qasim Authority on the ownership rights of 12,000 acres (49 km2) of land in these Islands.
Development of Bundal Island
Bahria Town signed a joint venture with the companies of Thomas Kramer to develop Bodha Island City on Bundal and Buddo Islands with a cost of $20 Billion. Covering 12,000 acres of land, this project will be developed in a span of 5–10 years but the residential communities will start being handed over to people in 2016. The global attractions of the project comprise world's tallest building, world's largest shopping mall, sports city, educational & medical city, international city and a media city – all having the most modern facilities and amenities and the most advanced infrastructure.[1] On March 11, 2013 Pakistan Business tycoon Malik Riaz signed an agreement with an American investor Thomas Kramer to build Bodha Island City in Bundal Island which is located along the coast of Karachi. Also planned for Bundal Island is the world's tallest building. This project will provide employment to an estimated 2.5 million people, as well as provide housing to potentially millions of people.[2]
Pakistan Islands Development Authority
Bundal Island is part of $50 billion development of city under Pakistan Islands Development Authority.[3]
World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P)[4]
The fragile ecosystem of this area is already under pressure from growing pollution that will intensify in case of any [concrete] development. We should have an environmental audit of this place so that strategies could be developed for its protection. It has no potential for eco-tourism whatsoever,
— Tahir Rasheed, WWF-P’s regional director
References
- Correspondent, Our. "Pakistan's 1st Island City: Bahria Town signs $20b deal with US tycoon – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- Desk, Web. "Malik Riaz inks multi-billion dollar property deal for Karachi – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
- "'Bundal Island will eclipse Dubai with $50 billion investment'". The Express Tribune. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- Ilyas, Faiza (11 October 2020). "Twin islands along Karachi's coast are not viable for development". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 11 October 2020.