Astola Island

Astola or Astola Island (also known as Haft Talar or seven hills) is a small, uninhabited island in the Arabian Sea, approximately twenty-five kilometres south of the Balochistan coast of Pakistan. The island lies about forty kilometres east-southeast of the port of Pasni, its altitude is 0-200 feet and the total area is approximately 50 km². The island is about six kilometres in length, with an isolated rock to the southeast which has broken away. Astola is the only significant offshore island along the north coast of the Arabian Sea. The island is owned by the Balochistan Board of Revenue and administratively is part of the Pasni subdivision of the district of Gwadar. Between September and May of each year, Astola becomes a temporary base for mainland fishermen, to catch lobsters and oysters. From June to August, the island remains uninhabited by humans because of the rough sea and high tides. On one of the cliffs of the island, there is a small solar-operated beacon for the safety of passing vessels.

History

Nearchus (360-300 BCE), admiral of Alexander the Great, mentioned Astola island as Carnine Island, inhabitated by the Ichthyophagoi (Fish eaters in Greek) where, according to Nearchus, even the mutton had a fishy taste. The Persian phrase Mahi khoran, (Fish eaters) has become the modern name of the coastal region of Makran.

On the island are the remains of an ancient Hindu temple of the goddess, Kali Devi. The island was also known as to Hindus as "Satadip". There is also a prayer yard built for the Muslim Sufi Pir Khawaja Khizr who according to mainland legends is said to rule over the oceans and is believed to visit the area occasionally and offer prayers there. The prayer yard is used by the fishermen during the fishing season.

Wild life

The isolated location of the island has helped maintain endemic life forms. The endangered Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and possibly the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbracata) nest on the beach at the foot of cliffs, and it is a very important area for endemic reptiles such as the viper Echis carinatus astoli. The island is maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of the area. The island is reported to support a large number of breeding seabirds including Larus hemprichii and several species of terns. Avifauna includes: Ardeola cinerea, Egretta gularis, Pluvialis squatarola, Numenius arquata, Limosa limosa, Calidris minutus, Larus argentatus, Larus genei, Cursorius coromandelius, Galerida cristata, Oenanthe deserti, and Prinia spp. Feral cats originally introduced by fishermen to control the endemic rodent population pose an increasing threat to birds’ nesting and breeding sites. and as such maintains the genetic and ecological diversity of the area.

See also

• Makran
• Ramsar

References

25°07′00″N 63°52′00″E