Haleji Lake
Haleji Lake
Location	Thatta District, Sindh, Pakistan
Coordinates	24°48′22″N 67°46′44″E / 24.806°N 67.779°E / 24.806; 67.779
Basin countries	Pakistan
Max. length	2 km (1.2 mi)
Max. width	2 km (1.2 mi)
Surface area	4 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Average depth	5 m (16 ft)
Max. depth	5 m (16 ft)
Settlements	Thatta, Karachi
Ramsar Wetland
Designated	23 July 1976
Reference no.	101[1]

Haleji Lake (Urdu: ہالیجی جھیل) is a perennial freshwater lake in Thatta District of Sindh Province, Pakistan. It is 6.58 km² (2.54 sq mi) in size and is surrounded by marshes and brackish seepage lagoons.^[2]

History

Haleji Lake was a saline lagoon until the 1930s and was converted into a reservoir to provide additional water to Karachi.^[2] During World War II, additional water was required for troops stationed at Karachi. The then-British Government of Sindh Province decided to increase the capacity of the lake by introducing a feeder canal from the Indus River. Salt water was drained out and an embankment was constructed around the lake which was fed with fresh water through a canal. The work was placed on a war footing and was completed within 24 months in 1943.

Fauna

Haleji Lake is a wintering site for waterfowl such as cotton teal, Indian spot-billed duck, purple moorhen and pheasant-tailed jacana. It is also a breeding site for egrets and herons.^[2]