12/17/2021 Keenjhar Lake

MUHAMMAD ALI KHAN

BSCHE-12460 (BS 21-25)
PAKISTAN INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES
NILORE, ISLAMABAD
 Keenjhar Lake
By:
Muhammad Ali Khan
To:
Dr. Umar Faiz

Department of Chemical Engineering

PAKISTAN INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES
NILORE, ISLAMABAD
Executive Summary:
The report on Keenjhar Lake includes the history of the lake. It includes the geography,
biodiversity and the significance of the lake. The lake is a source of water for the citizens
of Karachi and the nearby areas. It is home to migrant birds and breeding.
But lack of infrastructure and other facilities have resulted in the pollution of the second
largest water body of Pakistan, Keenjhar Lake.
The report includes a Water Quality Assessment report conducted by the Sindh
Agriculture University Tando Adam and University of Sindh Jamshoro. In the light of the
report it is concluded that the pollutants have reached an alarming level in the Lake.
 Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION:............................................................................................1
1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT:................................................................................ 1
1.2 OBJECTIVES:.............................................................................................. 1
1.3 SCOPE:..................................................................................................... 1
1.4 ORGANIZATION:......................................................................................... 1
1.5 LIMITATIONS:.............................................................................................1
2 GEOGRAPHY:.................................................................................................1
3 HISTORY:.......................................................................................................2
4 SIGNIFICANCE:...............................................................................................3
5 BIODIVERSITY:...............................................................................................3
6 POLLUTION:...................................................................................................4
7 WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT:.....................................................................4
7.1 EXPERIMENTAL WORK:................................................................................ 4
7.2 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:........................................................................... 5
7.3 CONCLUSION:.............................................................................................8
8 REFERENCES:.................................................................................................8
Table of Figures:
Figure 1 shows the map of Keenjhar Lake..........................................................................1
Figure 2:shows The Keenjhar Lake commonly referred as the Malik Lake.........................2
Figure 3:shows the graves of Jam Tamachi and Noori Jam Tamachi (his wife)..................3
Table of Tables:Y
Table 1: showing the temperature, pH and Total Dissolved Solids....................................5
Table 2showing the Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, and Calcium..................................6
Table 3: showing the Bicarbonate, Alkalinity, and Hardness.............................................6
Table 4:showing the sodium, potassium and magnesium.................................................7
Table 5: showing the Sulphate, Fluoride, Chloride and Arsenic.........................................7
Table 6:showing the Dissolved Oxygen, E-Coli and Total Coliform....................................8
1 Introduction:
1.1 Problem Statement:
Kanchar Lake is the second largest fresh water body in Pakistan. I present here its water quality
analysis.
1.2 Objectives:
Objectives of the report include:
 Describe the geography of Keenjhar Lake
 Describe the history of Keenjhar Lake
 Describe the significance & biodiversity
 Water Quality Assessment
1.3 Scope:
The scope includes the pollutants and their concentrations damaging the biodiversity of the
Keenjhar lake.
1.4 Organization:
Section 2 includes the geography of the lake. Section 3 describes the history of the lake. Section
4 describes the significance of the lake. Section 5 describes the biodiversity lake. Section 6
describes the pollution in the lake and its hazardous effects. Section 7 present the water quality
analysis.
1.5 Limitations:
The report does not include the aspects pertaining to tourism at Keenjhar Lake.

2 Geography:
Keenjhar Lake commonly called Malik Lake is located in Thatta ( 24 ° 57’N 68 ° 03’) District of Sindh the
province of Pakistan. It is situated about 36 kilometres (22 mi) from the city of Thatta.[ CITATION 1 \l
1033 ] Official Name Kinjhar Lake designated 23 July 1976. It is 130 km northeast of Karachi. Keenjhar
Lake is 24 km long, 6 km wide, and has a depth of 8 meters, spread over 13,468 hectares having
Water Volume 650 hm3 & Surface Elevation 15 m.

Figure shows the map of Keenjhar Lake

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 Figure :shows The Keenjhar Lake commonly referred as the Malik Lake.

3 History:
Keenjhar Lake was possibly built in the 12th to provide water to the then capital of Sindh
Thatta. It was formed by the unification of two lakes, Keenjhar and Sonehri, through the
construction of a bank in the 1950s. It was built with the aim to supply drinking water to the
citizens of Karachi. The local people narrate that prior to the construction of the bund the two
lakes joined every rainy season due to overflow. Both the lakes came into existence when the
river Indus changed its course. The great Sindhi ruler, Jam Tamachi, is associated with Keenjhar
Lake, and his grave is built in a shrine in the middle of the lake. The shrine of Jam Tamachi is
accessible by a motor boat only. Every day, large number of devotees visit the shrine to pay
homage to Jam Tamachi belonged to the Samma tribe. The prince fell in love with a charming
fisherwoman named Noori who belonged to Keenjhar Lake. But unlike traditional love stories
they were married and happily ever after. It is a famous romantic tale of successful love and
happiness.

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 Figure :shows the graves of Jam Tamachi and Noori Jam Tamachi (his wife)

4 Significance:
Keenjhar Lake is the second largest fresh water lake in Pakistan and is an important source of drinking
water to the city of Karachi and other nearby cities surrounding the lake. The freshwater lake works
as a beautiful tourist resort for the people of nearby cities during the hot season. Large numbers
of people gather to eco-friendly Keenjhar Lake on weekends and on public holidays to enjoy picnics by
the lake, swimming, fishing, and boating in a calm yet clean and natural environment. According to
STDC’s statistics in 2019, over 12,000 tourists visited the lake each week, to boat, swim, fish and
take pictures. The lake water is clean and suitable for swimming. In fact, most of the people
come for swimming, especially from Karachi where the sea water is rather polluted and salty,
thus not suitable for swimming. Also, there are plenty of motorboats available for thrilling rides.
They have a seating capacity of 8-10 people and can be hired for a tour of the lake. The lake
enjoys a historical importance as the poet Shah Abdul Latif has mentioned the lake in his
poetry.

5 Biodiversity:
Keenjhar Lake plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological function of the River Indus Basin.
The lake is a home to thousands of mid-winter immigrant water birds such as European
Wigeon, Common Pochard and Black Coot etc. Keenjhar Lake boasts an impressive blend of
fauna and flora. It provides a favourable habitat for winter like ducks, geese, flamingos,
cormorants, waders, herons, egrets, ibises, terns, coots and gulls as well a breeding area of
wide variety of birds along with snakes, lizards and over 48 species of fish. It has been observed
as a breeding area of the black-crowned night heron, the cotton pygmy goose, purple swamp hen, and
pheasant-tailed jacana. There are over 136 species of plants found in the area, and fishing is the
main occupation of the locals.[ CITATION 1 \l 1033 ] It is a wildlife reservation, a Pakistani

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protected wetland and has been declared a Ramsar site since 1976 by the Ramsar Convention,
an international treaty for the conservation and ecological utilization of wetlands. Around
600,000 sees of fish were released into the lake in several phases in the first six months of the
year 2019.

Unfortunately, the lake is also subject to pollution, deforestation, illegal hunting and poor
implementation of environment-friendly policies. Lack of environmentally friendly
infrastructure, and the introduction of alien species of plants and animals have been
particularly harmful for local wildlife. STDC (Sindh Tourism and Development Corporation) is
taking steps to clean the lake, and prevent further degradation, as Keenjhar Lake is the main
source of drinking water for the people of Karachi. Pakistan Tourism Department Corporation
(PTDC) has made remarkable efforts in preserving the beauty of Keenjhar Lake to make it more
attractive for the tourists. Some projects for the development of Keenjhar Lake including the up
gradation and development costing 10 million are under way under the supervision of District
Officer (C&W) Department Thatta. The place around the lake has been established into a
beautiful resort with latest boating and fishing facilities for families. Some of restaurants, STDC,
motels offer great food and accommodation services to the tourists.

6 Pollution:
The lake has been subjected to pollution for the past two decades due to chemical effluents
from the Kalri-Baghar Feeder and waste dumped into the lake from the WAPDA colony.
According to the people of Thatta including the members of Sindh Fisherman Folk Forum toxic
chemical wastage from the nearby areas is causing great damage to biodiversity of the historic
lake. This has caused decrease in the tourism and has put the life of people of Karachi and
nearby areas at risk. The result of water quality assessment indicates the contamination level to
an alarming condition. According to a Survey conducted by the Environment Department,
Government of Sindh 29 factories located inside Kotri are the agents of pollution. Government
of Sindh has filed a case in the Sindh High Court to address these issues.

7 Water Quality Assessment:

In 2020 a water quality assessment was conducted at the Keenjhar Lake.

7.1 Experimental Work:

Twelve sampling points were selected and water samples were collected from top, centre and
bottom for physio-chemical analysis from each point. The parameters used the analysis
involved Temperature, pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, Calcium,
Bicarbonate, Alkalinity, Hardness, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphate, Fluoride,
Chlorides, Arsenic and Dissolved Oxygen. Temperature was measured with a mercury

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thermometer; alkalinity was detected by titration. Dissolved Oxygen was measured with a
Dissolved Oxygen meter on each site.[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ]

7.2 Results and Discussion:

The samples were tested on the parameters set by the World Health Organization and the Pakistan
Council for Research and Water Resources. The drinking water quality with the National Environmental
Quality Standards (NEQS). Table 1 shows the data recorded.[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ]

Sample ID Temperature(℃ ) pH Total Dissolved

Solids (mg/L)
WHO & NEQS Limits 30.5 6.5-8.5 1000
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Right Side 30.2 8.5 541
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Mid-Point 30.4 7.89 554
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-WAPDA 31 8.51 813
Colony Municipal Waste
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-Industrial 31.5 7.36 721
waste Discharge Point
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 30 7.88 586
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 30 8.12 557
Near KG Canal Karachi Feeder 30 8.4 325
Near Lake Bank at RD-50 30.3 8.5 309
Sindh Irrigation Department Rest 30.5 8.7 304
House
Near Noori Jam Tamachi Shrine 29.9 8.42 333
Mid of Lake between Noori Jam 30 8.35 364
Tamachi Shrine and Picnic Point
Near Picnic Point 30 8.47 359
Table : showing the temperature, pH and Total Dissolved Solids[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ]

Table 2 shows the parameters including Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, and Calcium.

Sample ID Electrical Turbidity Calcium((mg/L)

μS (NTU)
Conductivity ( )
cm
WHO & NEQS Limits 1000 5 120-180
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Right Side 846 22.1 36
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Mid-Point 865 31 40
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-WAPDA 1270 46.5 40
Colony Municipal Waste
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-Industrial 1127 40 56
waste Discharge Point
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 915 32.9 48
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 871 37.7 40
Near KG Canal Karachi Feeder 508 8.75 36
Near Lake Bank at RD-50 483 1.77 36
Sindh Irrigation Department Rest 475 1.33 40

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 House
Near Noori Jam Tamachi Shrine 520 1.73 44
Mid of Lake between Noori Jam 569 1.72 44
Tamachi Shrine and Picnic Point
Near Picnic Point 561 2.68 46
Table :showing the Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, and Calcium.[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ]

Table 3 shows the parameters including Bicarbonate, Alkalinity, and Hardness.

Sample ID Bicarbonate(mg/L) Alkalinity Hardness(mg/L)
(m.mol/L)

WHO & NEQS Limits 100-300 1.4-3.0 500

Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Right Side 150 3 260
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Mid-Point 160 3.2 250
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-WAPDA 170 3 300
Colony Municipal Waste
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-Industrial 160 3.2 300
waste Discharge Point
Kalri Bashar Feeder Upper 140 2.8 280
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 150 3 220
Near KG Canal Karachi Feeder 110 2.2 180
Near Lake Bank at RD-50 100 2 170
Sindh Irrigation Department Rest 250 5 230
House
Near Noori Jam Tamachi Shrine 130 2.6 180
Mid of Lake between Noori Jam 140 2.8 190
Tamachi Shrine and Picnic Point
Near Picnic Point 130 2.6 190
Table : showing the Bicarbonate, Alkalinity, and Hardness.[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ]

Table 4 the various water quality parameters including sodium, potassium and magnesium.
Sample ID Magnesium(mg/L) Potassium Sodium (mg/L)
(mg/L)

WHO & NEQS Limits 150 12 200

Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Right Side 41.31 5.6 69
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Mid-Point 36.4 3.5 99
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-WAPDA 48.6 4.2 147
Colony Municipal Waste
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-Industrial 38.88 4 114
waste Discharge Point
Kalri Bashar Feeder Upper 38.88 4.2 78
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 29.16 3.7 90
Near KG Canal Karachi Feeder 21.87 3.8 30
Near Lake Bank at RD-50 19.47 3.5 29
Sindh Irrigation Department Rest 17.01 4.4 28

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 House
Near Noori Jam Tamachi Shrine 17.01 2.4 35
Mid of Lake between Noori Jam 19.44 4 40
Tamachi Shrine and Picnic Point
Near Picnic Point 18.22 3 40
Table :showing the sodium, potassium and magnesium.[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ]

Table 5 shows the parameters including Sulphate, Fluoride, Chloride and Arsenic.
Sample ID Sulphate Chloride (mg/L) Sodium Arsenic(ppb)
(mg/L) (mg/L)

WHO & NEQS Limits 250 1.5 250 10

Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Right 158 1 127 0
Side
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Mid- 145 1 129 0
Point
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper- 239 0 235 5
WAPDA Colony Municipal Waste
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper- 270 1.7 265 10
Industrial waste Discharge Point
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 150 0.5 196 0
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 85 0 139 0
Near KG Canal Karachi Feeder 33 0 69 0
Near Lake Bank at RD-50 32 0 67 0
Sindh Irrigation Department Rest 30 0 65 0
House
Near Noori Jam Tamachi Shrine 32 0 60 0
Mid of Lake between Noori Jam 37 0 71 0
Tamachi Shrine and Picnic Point
Near Picnic Point 35 0 73 0
Table : showing the Sulphate, Fluoride, Chloride and Arsenic[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ]

Table 6 shows the parameters including Dissolved Oxygen, E-Coli and Total Coliform.
Sample ID Dissolved Oxygen E-Coli Coliform (CFU/ml)
(mg/L) (CFU/ml)

WHO & NEQS Limits 6.5-8 0 0

Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Right Side 13.5 130 250
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Mid-Point 15.3 128 270
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-WAPDA 13.4 300 500
Colony Municipal Waste
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper-Industrial 16.2 250 500
waste Discharge Point
Kalri Bashar Feeder Upper 11.9 270 450
Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper 14.7 118 240
Near KG Canal Karachi Feeder 14.3 120 230

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 Near Lake Bank at RD-50 13 125 300
Sindh Irrigation Department Rest 9.3 128 250
House
Near Noori Jam Tamachi Shrine 10 120 300
Mid of Lake between Noori Jam 10.2 128 300
Tamachi Shrine and Picnic Point
Near Picnic Point 10 128 300
Table :showing the Dissolved Oxygen, E-Coli and Total Coliform.[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ]

7.3 Conclusion:
In the light of the report it is concluded that the pollutants have reached an alarming level in
the Lake. The life of millions of people is at risk due these pollutants. The authorities pertaining
to environmental protection should look into this issue and put it down with an iron hand.

8 References:
[ CITATION 1 \l 1033 ] https://www.youlinmagazine.com/article/keenjhar-lake-thatta%E2%80%99s-
hidden-retreat/MTcxMw==

[ CITATION 2 \l 1033 ] https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202007.0722/v1

[CITATION 3 \l 1033 ] https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Keenjhar_Lake

[ CITATION 5 \l 1033 ] https://www.dawn.com/news/716296/restoring-keenjhar-lake

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