Bundal Island

Bundal Island ( _ur. جزیرہ بندل) (also known as "Bundaar") is a small island located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Bundal, pronounced "Bhandar" by local fishermen, is a twin island of Buddo and lies to its West. On Bundal Island the tomb of Muslim sufi Yusuf Shah is located. The annual urs of 'Yusuf Shah' which attracts thousands of coastal people to the island. The island looked like a city during the urs. Churma and Buddo Islands are also located near Bundal Island. There is a dispute between the provincial government of Sindh and Karachi Port Trust on the ownership rights of 12,000 acres (49 km²) of land in these Islands.

Development Project

In September 2006, government of Pakistan gave a Dubai property firm, Emaar the go-ahead for a $43bn (£22.8bn) project to develop two island resorts in Bundal and Buddo Island. A bridge would be constructed at a cost of $50 million to link Karachi Defence Housing Society Phase-8 with Bundal and Buddo Islands. The islands are situated at a distance of 1.5 km from Karachi Defence Phase-8. A major portion of one of the two islands has submerged beneath the sea and the Emaar Group will reclaim this land. According to the initial plan, about 15,000 houses would be constructed and would be sold to the public. On December 8th construction of the islands started.

Controversy

Many local NGOs, political parties and even Sindh Government have raised their concerns over the environment damage and the adverse affect on the economy this could have. Also there is unease at a foreign company being sold the island.

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5387590.stm Pakistan agrees $43bn development]
* [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=200610