Jiwani Coastal Wetland

Jiwani Coastal Wetland
Mangrove tree nursery in Jiwani Coastal Wetland
Map
TypeCoastal wetland
LocationGwatar Bay, Balochistan, Pakistan
Coordinates25°08′N 61°46′E / 25.133°N 61.767°E / 25.133; 61.767
Area4,600 acres (19 km2)
Designated10 May 2001
Reference no.1066[1]

The Jiwani Coastal Wetland is a wetland located in Balochistan, Pakistan, near the town of Jiwani. The site is one of the 19 Ramsar sites in Pakistan and was inducted in 2001.[2]

Location and geography

The site is a lagoon, located at the northeastern edge of Gwatar Bay, south of the delta of the Dasht River, northeast of the town of Jiwani in Gwadar District of Balochistan Province, Pakistan.

Aerial view of part of the lagoon at the bottom left, adjacent to the mouth of the Dasht River.

The wetland has an area of 4,600 acres (19 km2).[2] The lagoon contains extensive mangrove swamps, many sandy beaches, sand bars and islets as well as extensive mangrove swamps. The climate is arid with very low rainfall.[3] The Dasht river is the main source of fresh water for the mangrove forest and the region along with seasonal runoff of rainwater from the nearby hills.[3]

Flora and fauna

Dead Coral ground in Jiwani Coastal Wetland

Jiwani coast provides two main ecological habitats; the mangrove swamps and the sandy beaches.[3] The site near the delta is swampy and marshy and is covered with one of the three species of Mangroves in Pakistan; Avicennia marina.[3] Jiwani is also an important nesting site for the endangered olive ridley sea turtle and green sea turtles.[2] The four turtle beaches where they nest are clustered on the eastern side of the coastline and are considered one of the most important marine turtle sites in Pakistan.

Dead Coral ground

Each year, thousands of migratory birds are sighted in the region.[3] According to the book Avian Diversity of Jiwani Coastal Wetlands, Pakistan, 112 species of birds were recorded of which 79 species were migratory and 33 were resident. Of the 79 migratory species, 54 migrated during winters, 11 migrated during summers, 10 were year round visitors, and 3 species were vagrant.[4]

Conservation

Mangrove forest plantations for conservation in the wetlands.

Fishing is the major source of income for the locals however plans to grant fishing and offshore drilling rights to foreign firms have increased the concerns of conservation authorities.[2] Local community uses the mangrove wood for domestic use which is threatening the mangrove forest. Balochistan Conservation Strategy to promote sustainable development in Balochistan emphasises the conservation of these coastal wetland. In 1999, WWF–Pakistan initiated conservation drives, Mangrove Conservation Project and Turtle Conservation Project, to protect the wetlands from adverse effects and threats.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Jiwani Coastal Wetland". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Jiwani Coastal Wetland". The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Jiwani Coastal Wetland" (PDF). Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands. Wetlands. Retrieved 13 September 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ Zulfiqar, Ali (14 October 2009). Avian Diversity of Jiwani Coastal Wetlands, Pakistan. VDM Verlag. p. 172. ISBN 978-3639206487. Retrieved 13 September 2012.