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Astola Island

April 12, 2024

Astola Island (Urdu: جزِیرہ اَستُولا) also known as Jezira Haft Talar (Balochi: زروان ءِ هفت تلار, Urdu: جزیرہ ہفت تلار), Satadip or 'Island of the Seven Hills', is a small uninhabited Pakistani island in the Arabian Sea approximately 25 km (16 mi) south of the nearest part of the coast and 39 km (24 mi) southeast of the fishing port of Pasni. Astola is Pakistan's largest offshore island at approximately 6.7 km (4.2 mi) long with a maximum width of 2.3 km (1.4 mi) and an area of approximately 6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi). The highest point is 246 ft (75 m) above sea level. Administratively, the island is part of the Pasni subdistrict of Gwadar District in Balochistan province. The island can be accessed by motorized boats from Pasni, with a journey time of about 5 hours to reach the island. On August 4 2020, Pakistan released a new political map[5] that for the first time showed the Islands of Churna and Astola.[6]

Astola Island Lighthouse
A view of the northern face of Astola Island, the skeletal lighthouse is in the upper left
LocationAstola Island, Balochistan, Gwadar District, Pakistan
Coordinates25°07′08″N 63°50′00″E / 25.119°N 63.83325°E / 25.119; 63.83325
Tower
Constructed1982 
Constructionconcrete (foundation), metal (tower) 
Height10 m (33 ft) 
Shapesquare pyramidal skeletal tower[1][2][3]
Markingsgray 
Power sourcesolar power 
Light
Focal height89 m (292 ft) 
LensType LASE-28/6
Intensity25,500 candela 
Range19 nmi (35 km; 22 mi) 
CharacteristicFl W 15s 
Designated10 May 2001
Reference no.1063[4]
Astola Island, Balochistan, Pakistan

Marine Protected Area edit

Pakistan declared Astola as its first Marine Protected Area in June 2017 as part an international obligation of the Federal Government under the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets.[7]

History edit

The earliest mention of Astola is in Arrian's account of Admiral Nearchos, who was dispatched by Alexander the Great to explore the coast of the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf in 325 BC. The sailors in Nearchos's fleet were "frightened at the weird tales told about an uninhabited island, which Arrian calls Nosala".[8] It was also called Carmina, Karmine, by Arrian.[9]

Geography edit

The island consists of a large tilted plateau and a series of seven small hillocks (hence the local name "Haft Talar" or "Seven Hills"), with deep chasms and crevices, which are several feet wide.[citation needed] There are several natural caves and coves on the island. The south face of the island slopes off gradually whereas the north face is cliff-like with a sharp vertical drop.[citation needed]

Ecology edit

Isolation has helped maintain several endemic life forms on Astola. The endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbracata) nest on the beach at the foot of the cliffs. The island is also an important area for endemic reptiles such as the Astola viper (Echis carinatus astolae). The island is reported to support a large number of breeding water birds including coursers, curlews, godwit, gulls, plovers and sanderling. Feral cats originally introduced by fishermen to control the endemic rodent population, pose an increasing threat to wildlife breeding sites. E.g. the sooty gull (Larus hemprichii) had a major breeding colony on the island, now extirpated because of introduced rats.[10]

Vegetation on the island is sparse and largely consists of scrubs and large bushes. There are no trees on the island. The largest shrub on the island is Prosopis juliflora, which was introduced into South Asia in 1877 from South America. There is no source of fresh water on the island and the vegetation depends on occasional rainfall and soil moisture for survival. Astola is also home to coral reef.

Man-made features edit

In 1982, the Government of Pakistan installed a lighthouse on the island for the safety of passing vessels, which was replaced by a solar-powered one in 1987.[11]

Astola became a temporary base for mainland fishermen for catching lobsters and oysters. From June to August, the island remains uninhabited due to the fishing off-season, the rough seas and high tides.

There is a small mosque dedicated to the Muslim saint Pir Khawaja Khizr, which is used by the mainland fishermen during the fishing season. Ruins of an ancient Hindu temple of the Hindu goddess, Kali are located on the island.[12] The island was also known to the Hindus as Satadip.[13]

In Arrian's Indica, which describes the westward journey of Alexander's fleet after the Indian Campaign (325 BC), Admiral Nearchus is quoted as having anchored by an island named 'Carnine'. It was said to be inhabited by the Ichthyophagoi ('fish eaters' in Greek) and where, "even mutton had a fishy taste". The Persian phrase mahi khoran (fish eaters) has become the modern name of the coastal region of Makran. Some scholars have assumed Carnine to be Astola, without considering the extreme aridity and lack of fresh water, which renders the place inhospitable for human habitation, as well as animal husbandry. In all likelihood, Carnine was the name of an island in the inland sea, presently known as Khor Kalmat. This latter conjecture supports Nearchus' coast-hugging voyage (which would have kept him well away from Astola), a compulsion meant to provision Alexander's army that was supposed to have marched along a coastal route.

Gallery edit

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See also edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Astola Island.

References edit

  1. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Pakistan". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  2. ^ NGA List of Lights – Pub.112, Msi.nga.mil, Retrieved 13 October 2016
  3. ^ Mercantile Marine Department, Mercantilemarine.gov.pk, Retrieved 13 October 2016
  4. ^ "Astola Island". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  5. ^ [1] [permanent dead link]
  6. ^ Siddiqui, Dawn (4 August 2020). "In landmark move, PM Imran unveils 'new political map' of Pakistan". Dawn.com. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  7. ^ "'Corals in Astola Island bristle with marine life'". Dawn.com. 2020-12-20. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  8. ^ Jackson, A.V. Williams (1906). History of India, Volume II. London: The Grolier Society. p. 96.
  9. ^ Arrian, Indica (book 8), chap. 26
  10. ^ Grimmett, Richard, Roberts, Tom and Inskipp, Tim, 2008. Birds of Pakistan. Helm Field Guides, London, p. 112
  11. ^ "Astola Island". Mercantilemarine.gov.pk. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  12. ^ Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. . Archived from the original on 2006-01-17. Retrieved 2006-04-22.
  13. ^ S.A.J. Shirazi, ContactPakistan.com. . Archived from the original on 19 May 2006. Retrieved 2006-04-22.

External links edit

  • Astola Island – A Spellbinding Site 2014-01-18 at the Wayback Machine
  • Astola Island...

25°07′21″N 63°50′51″E / 25.12250°N 63.84750°E / 25.12250; 63.84750

April 12, 2024
astola, island, urdu, جز, یرہ, ست, ولا, also, known, jezira, haft, talar, balochi, زروان, هفت, تلار, urdu, جزیرہ, ہفت, تلار, satadip, island, seven, hills, small, uninhabited, pakistani, island, arabian, approximately, south, nearest, part, coast, southeast, f. Astola Island Urdu جز یرہ ا ست ولا also known as Jezira Haft Talar Balochi زروان ء هفت تلار Urdu جزیرہ ہفت تلار Satadip or Island of the Seven Hills is a small uninhabited Pakistani island in the Arabian Sea approximately 25 km 16 mi south of the nearest part of the coast and 39 km 24 mi southeast of the fishing port of Pasni Astola is Pakistan s largest offshore island at approximately 6 7 km 4 2 mi long with a maximum width of 2 3 km 1 4 mi and an area of approximately 6 7 km2 2 6 sq mi The highest point is 246 ft 75 m above sea level Administratively the island is part of the Pasni subdistrict of Gwadar District in Balochistan province The island can be accessed by motorized boats from Pasni with a journey time of about 5 hours to reach the island On August 4 2020 Pakistan released a new political map 5 that for the first time showed the Islands of Churna and Astola 6 Astola Island LighthouseA view of the northern face of Astola Island the skeletal lighthouse is in the upper leftLocationAstola Island Balochistan Gwadar District PakistanCoordinates25 07 08 N 63 50 00 E 25 119 N 63 83325 E 25 119 63 83325TowerConstructed1982 Constructionconcrete foundation metal tower Height10 m 33 ft Shapesquare pyramidal skeletal tower 1 2 3 Markingsgray Power sourcesolar power LightFocal height89 m 292 ft LensType LASE 28 6Intensity25 500 candela Range19 nmi 35 km 22 mi CharacteristicFl W 15s Ramsar WetlandDesignated10 May 2001Reference no 1063 4 Astola Island Balochistan Pakistan Contents 1 Marine Protected Area 2 History 3 Geography 4 Ecology 5 Man made features 6 Gallery 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksMarine Protected Area editPakistan declared Astola as its first Marine Protected Area in June 2017 as part an international obligation of the Federal Government under the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets 7 History editThe earliest mention of Astola is in Arrian s account of Admiral Nearchos who was dispatched by Alexander the Great to explore the coast of the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf in 325 BC The sailors in Nearchos s fleet were frightened at the weird tales told about an uninhabited island which Arrian calls Nosala 8 It was also called Carmina Karmine by Arrian 9 Geography editThe island consists of a large tilted plateau and a series of seven small hillocks hence the local name Haft Talar or Seven Hills with deep chasms and crevices which are several feet wide citation needed There are several natural caves and coves on the island The south face of the island slopes off gradually whereas the north face is cliff like with a sharp vertical drop citation needed Ecology editIsolation has helped maintain several endemic life forms on Astola The endangered green turtle Chelonia mydas and the hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbracata nest on the beach at the foot of the cliffs The island is also an important area for endemic reptiles such as the Astola viper Echis carinatus astolae The island is reported to support a large number of breeding water birds including coursers curlews godwit gulls plovers and sanderling Feral cats originally introduced by fishermen to control the endemic rodent population pose an increasing threat to wildlife breeding sites E g the sooty gull Larus hemprichii had a major breeding colony on the island now extirpated because of introduced rats 10 Vegetation on the island is sparse and largely consists of scrubs and large bushes There are no trees on the island The largest shrub on the island is Prosopis juliflora which was introduced into South Asia in 1877 from South America There is no source of fresh water on the island and the vegetation depends on occasional rainfall and soil moisture for survival Astola is also home to coral reef Man made features editIn 1982 the Government of Pakistan installed a lighthouse on the island for the safety of passing vessels which was replaced by a solar powered one in 1987 11 Astola became a temporary base for mainland fishermen for catching lobsters and oysters From June to August the island remains uninhabited due to the fishing off season the rough seas and high tides There is a small mosque dedicated to the Muslim saint Pir Khawaja Khizr which is used by the mainland fishermen during the fishing season Ruins of an ancient Hindu temple of the Hindu goddess Kali are located on the island 12 The island was also known to the Hindus as Satadip 13 In Arrian s Indica which describes the westward journey of Alexander s fleet after the Indian Campaign 325 BC Admiral Nearchus is quoted as having anchored by an island named Carnine It was said to be inhabited by the Ichthyophagoi fish eaters in Greek and where even mutton had a fishy taste The Persian phrase mahi khoran fish eaters has become the modern name of the coastal region of Makran Some scholars have assumed Carnine to be Astola without considering the extreme aridity and lack of fresh water which renders the place inhospitable for human habitation as well as animal husbandry In all likelihood Carnine was the name of an island in the inland sea presently known as Khor Kalmat This latter conjecture supports Nearchus coast hugging voyage which would have kept him well away from Astola a compulsion meant to provision Alexander s army that was supposed to have marched along a coastal route Gallery edit nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp See also edit nbsp Pakistan portal nbsp Engineering portal List of lighthouses in Pakistan List of islands of Pakistan nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Astola Island References edit Rowlett Russ Lighthouses of Pakistan The Lighthouse Directory University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Retrieved 2016 10 13 NGA List of Lights Pub 112 Msi nga mil Retrieved 13 October 2016 Mercantile Marine Department Mercantilemarine gov pk Retrieved 13 October 2016 Astola Island Ramsar Sites Information Service Retrieved 25 April 2018 1 permanent dead link Siddiqui Dawn 4 August 2020 In landmark move PM Imran unveils new political map of Pakistan Dawn com Retrieved 2021 09 06 Corals in Astola Island bristle with marine life Dawn com 2020 12 20 Retrieved 2020 12 20 Jackson A V Williams 1906 History of India Volume II London The Grolier Society p 96 Arrian Indica book 8 chap 26 Grimmett Richard Roberts Tom and Inskipp Tim 2008 Birds of Pakistan Helm Field Guides London p 112 Astola Island Mercantilemarine gov pk Retrieved 29 January 2022 Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Pakistan Astola Haft Talar Island 2001 Archived from the original on 2006 01 17 Retrieved 2006 04 22 S A J Shirazi ContactPakistan com Astola with Sherazi Archived from the original on 19 May 2006 Retrieved 2006 04 22 External links editAstola Island A Spellbinding Site Archived 2014 01 18 at the Wayback Machine Astola Island Astola Island 25 07 21 N 63 50 51 E 25 12250 N 63 84750 E 25 12250 63 84750 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Astola Island amp oldid 1211293484, 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