Recently, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the aerial image of Khor Kalmat lagoon appear darker and more vibrant, like blue ink bleeding.
Khor Kalmat – It is a tidal lagoon that fully forms only at high tide, when waters from the Arabian Sea run through a narrow channel carved into the coastline.
At low tide, it almost completely empties, leaving behind exposed mudflats.
Located in – Makran Coast in Pakistan's Balochistan province, around 180 miles west of Karachi.
It is cut off from the rest of the mainland by harsh desert mountains, known as the Makran Coast Ridge, which run parallel to much of the country's coast.
Area – It spans around 17 miles at its widest point and includes Makran Coastal Range, an arid desert mountain land.
Supports life – It is home to sizable mangrove forests, which are an important nursery for juvenile fish, as well as other marine organisms, such as crustaceans and mollusks.
At low tide, it provide a hunting ground for wading birds that reside in Buzi Makola Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies west of lagoon.
Supports livelihood – It provides timber to the few local people who live alongside the lagoon.
Threats – Overfishing, deforestation of mangroves and rising temperatures driven by human-caused climate change.
It is under threat by the potential construction of a proposed Pakistani Naval Base.
