Sir Creek in Gujarat on Pakistan Border
Q. Which of the following is/are true?
1) Sir Creek is located in West Bengal along the sea, dividing the area between India and Bangladesh.
2) The creek is actually a marshland that is a part of Sundarbans.- Published on 17 Mar 16a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2
- Sir Creek is a 96 km (60 mi) tidal estuary on the border of India and Pakistan.
- The creek, which opens up into the Arabian Sea, divides the Gujarat state of India from the Sindh province of Pakistan.
- The creek itself is located in uninhabited marshland. During the monsoon season between June and September, the creek floods its banks and envelops the low-lying salty mudflats around it. During the winter season, the area is home to flamingoes and other migratory birds.
- The dispute lies in the interpretation of the maritime boundary line between Pakistan and India.
- The creek holds immense economic gain. Much of the region is rich in oil and gas below the sea bed, and control over the creek would have a huge bearing on the energy potential of each nation.
- Also once the boundaries are defined, it would help in the determination of the maritime boundaries which are drawn as an extension of onshore reference points. Maritime boundaries also help in determining the limits of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and continental shelves. EEZs extend to 200 nautical miles (370 km) and can be subjected to commercial exploitation.
