The book ‘Coastal Islands of Sindh’, authored by renowned researcher Gul Hassan Kalmatti, is a guide to explore the coastal island and Indus delta of Sindh
Farooq Sargani
This book ‘Coastal Islands of Sindh’, authored by renowned researcher Gul Hassan Kalmatti, is a guide to explore the coastal island and Indus delta of Sindh and the stories of those people who have been living in harsh conditions from centuries without any basic needs of human life in these islands.
Originally written in Sindhi language, this book has been translated into English by Dr. Amjad Siraj Memon.
Late Gul Hassan Kalmatti had started his journey in 2013 and completed his research work in 2018. He voyaged from Charna Island to Jakhi Bander. During the field trips he got in trouble, but with a pure heart, he continued his voyages, gathering information about barren Islands.
He did not end his voyage in Karachi but proceeded towards Thatta district, where he found the ruins of Jakki Bander and many other ancient ports that were prosperous in the past, but due to the internal revolts and invasions as well as the intrusion of the sea, the formation of dams, canals, and bridges on the Indus River, the past heritage of Sindh was destroyed.
He had explored various islands, including Manhora, Shams, Baba, Bhit, Kiamari, Dingi, Bhundar, Smokey (Donhaen Walee Bhit), and Halo Tabarko. He had traced back their history, the livelihood of fishermen, and their lifestyle and narrates the encroachment of the builder mafia, pushing the fishermen out of their place for their personal interests.
Ages ago, Clifton and Kiamari were islands, but in the British era, the Napier Bridge was built and connected with the rest of Karachi city. Like the British era, same happened in Pakistan. The authorities displaced the fisherman and sold the coastal islands that were barrier to the probable natural disasters.
In the past, especially the Defense Housing Authority (DHA) displaced fishermen. There was an ancient Gisri port and hills; a river, which flowed into sea, the stone of Gasri was used in various buildings of Saddar Karachi. As stated by Kalmatti, “People used to come for fishing in the area before the partition, but later a marine drive was made, and fishing was banned, causing the centuries-old business of fishermen come to an end.”
His voyage did not end at the coastal islands, but he also visited the shrines of the saints located along the sea coast. He strongly believed that both Hindus and Muslims in the pre-partition era paid visits to these sites, including the shrine of Syed Ali Sarmast, which is located at the shore at the termination of the Lyari River on Maripur Road near Gulbai, just on the left side of the road. Many other shrines are present, like Shah Hassan and so many others, and were also venerated by fishermen. Whenever they took the boats into sea and planned to go into the deep; the fishermen used to pay a visit to the saint on the sea shore.
Besides that, he had conducted a brief survey of historical ports at the Indus delta, including the Rato Kot, Jakki Bander (Lahri port), and briefly discussed their history. Kalmatti states: “The Rato Kot fort has had a direct relation with Bhambhor because it is situated close to Gharo Creek.” He wrote about Lahri port, in which he narrated that ‘after Debal was destroyed, Lahri port got famous, and a lot of merchants migrated from Debal to Lahri Bander.’
In his book, he has condemned the cutting of mangroves by the wood mafia, who have the support of the Port Qasim authorities. According to him, “The mangroves and the livelihoods of fishermen are being damaged mostly by Port Qasim authorities, and there is no one to stop them.”
Moreover, this book has a chapter on the dying Indus delta. Long ago, the delta had seventeen creeks, but due to scarcity of water, currently, four or five creeks flow into the sea. Now, graver situation is feared as six new canals are being constructed from Indus River that will destroy the Indus delta completely.
The coastal area of Sindh is rich in the mangroves. The flow of Indus River brings silt that enriches the coastal land and the delta. The government is committing a heinous crime against the nature by blocking the water flow of Indus River that will destroy the delta, mangrove forests and marine life.
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The reviewer is a freelance writer and student of history at the University of Karachi.
