Keenjhar Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan and a major source of freshwater supply for the metropolitan city of Karachi.
With Karachi’s population expanding rapidly, questions are being raised about whether the lake is in a position to shoulder the future water supply burden of Karachi.
Brief introduction of Keenjhar Lake
Kenjhar Lake holds two important distinctions. First, it is the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan, with an estimated length of 24 kilometres and a width of over 6 kilometres.
It covers approximately 13,470 hectares and has a water storage capacity of 0.53 million acre-feet. Second, it is designated as a Ramsar site, a status given to wetlands that are ecologically significant and rich in biodiversity.
This lake has existed for centuries. It is a fishing village with a freshwater lake surrounded by reeds, rushes and wild grasses. On a small hill nearby stands a red-stone shrine dedicated to Nuri, the beloved wife of Jam Tamachi.
In the 1960s, a smaller lake called Sonheri, located to the north, was merged with it, and Keenjhar Lake was expanded to provide drinking water to Karachi.
In 1976, its water storage capacity was further increased. Today, water is supplied to the lake through the Kalri Baghar Feeder (KB Feeder) from the Kotri Barrage in Jamshoro, and the lake serves as a major source of drinking water for Karachi.
K-IV Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Project
The Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, widely known as the K-IV project, is a major infrastructure initiative designed to supply up to 260 million gallons per day (MGD) of treated surface water from Keenjhar Lake in Sindh to Karachi.
The project involves a 121-kilometre pipeline network, along with intake works, pumping stations, filtration plants and storage reservoirs.
Phase I of the project was approved in 2014 with an initial estimated cost of Rs 25.5 billion, which was later revised to Rs 126 billion due to cost escalations.
The scheme aims to address Karachi’s chronic water shortage, where demand exceeds supply by several hundred MGD, forcing residents to rely heavily on groundwater and irregular water distribution. As of mid-2024, approximately 63 per cent of the physical work has been completed, with seven out of eight contract packages actively underway.
Keenjhar Lake prime destination of migratory birds
According to a report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), as many as 100,000 migratory birds arrive here during the winter season through the Indus Flyway.
In 1977, the lake was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary. More than 40,000 fishermen live around the lake and depend on it for their livelihood. Around 800 small and large boats operate here for fishing. WWF reports that fish production was 58,000 metric tons in 1988, but it declined to 15,650 metric tons by 2005.
Similarly, the number of migratory birds visiting in winter dropped from 250,000 in 1988 to 30,610 in 2002. Covering 24 square kilometres, the lake remains the main source of water supply for Karachi.
Major tourist attraction site
Keenjhar Lake is a well-known tourist destination that attracts visitors from Karachi, Hyderabad, and Thatta. People come here to enjoy picnics, swimming, fishing and boating.
The lake is also linked to the famous folklore of Noori Jam Tamachi, which tells the story of Noori, a fisherwoman. A shrine located in the middle of the lake marks her grave and is visited by many devotees.
Visitors to Lake often see vast stretches of water, sometimes submerging huts and buildings, including hotels. It can be difficult for picnickers to find dry shorelines.
Future of Pakistan’s largest freshwater reservoir under threat
However, the future of Pakistan’s largest freshwater reservoir is under threat due to water shortages and pollution. Thousands of fishermen depend on this lake, and it supplies water to millions of people in Karachi, Thatta, and Nooriabad.
The lake receives water through the Kalri Baghar (KB) Feeder from the Indus River. It is an important habitat for plants, birds and aquatic life. Unfortunately, due to poor maintenance and increasing pollution, the lake is deteriorating.
On the other hand, industrial waste from Kotri is discharged into the channel that supplies water to the lake, which is a major cause of pollution.
Every Friday and Sunday, thousands of tourists from Karachi visit the lake but often ignore cleanliness, throwing food waste, plastic bags, bottles and other garbage into the water without realising that they drink water from the same source. Although the lake was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1977 and is protected under the International Ramsar Convention, serious concerns remain.
Water level of Lake dangerously close to dead level in past
The water level of the lake, the city’s largest freshwater reservoir, has fallen dangerously close to its dead level on many occasions in the near past. It had dropped from 56 feet to 48 feet and is nearing the dead level of 42 feet.
Experts warn that, along with severe water shortages, extreme heat is contributing to the rapid decline in the lake’s water level, which is falling by approximately one-tenth of a foot per day.
Experts also warn that growing consumption, environmental challenges and climate variability may test the sustainability of this crucial water source in the years ahead.
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