The largest offshore island in Pakistan. This island is a part of Pasni sub-district in Gawadar, Balochistan. It is Pakistan's first marine protected area. Due to isolation there are many endemic species in Astola island. It is also known as 'Jazira Haft Talar' which means island of seven hills. The endangered green turtle can be found here.

1. Astola Island
Presented BY:
Asma Chaudhry

2. Location
– Astola Island, also known as Jezira Haft Talar or
'Island of the Seven Hills.
– It is a small uninhabited Pakistani island in the
Arabian Sea approximately 25 km south of the
nearest part of the coast and 39 km southeast of
the fishing port of Pasni.
– Astola is Pakistan's largest offshore island at
approximately 6.7 km long with a maximum
width of 2.3 km and an area of approximately
6.7 km2. The highest point is 246 ft above sea
level.
– It is part of the Pasni subdistrict of Gwadar
District in Balochistan province.

3. Boat of campers visiting the island

4. History
– The earliest mention of Astola is
in Arrian's account of
Admiral Nearchos, who was
dispatched by Alexander the
Great to explore the coast of
the Arabian Sea and the Persian
Gulf in 325 BCE. The sailors in
Nearchos's fleet were "frightened at
the weird tales told about an
uninhabited island, which Arrian
called Nosala".

5. View from a hill

6. Ecology
– The endangered green turtle and the hawksbill turtle nest on the beach at the foot
of the cliffs.
– The island is also an important area for endemic reptiles such as the Astola viper.
– The island is reported to support a large number of breeding water birds
including coursers, curlews, godwit, gulls, plovers and sanderling.
– Feral cats were originally introduced by fishermen to control the endemic rodent
population.
– Vegetation on the island is sparse and largely consists of scrubs and large bushes.
The largest shrub on the island is Prosopis juliflora.
– Astola is also home to coral reef.

7. Some Birds and
Sea Shells on
the Shore

8. Man-Made Features
– In 1982, the Government of Pakistan installed a lighthouse on the island for the
safety of passing vessels, which was replaced by a solar-powered one in 1987.
– There is a small mosque dedicated to the Muslim saint Pir Khawaja Khizr, which
is used by the mainland fishermen during the fishing season.
– Ruins of an ancient Hindu temple of the Hindu goddess, Kali are located on the
island.
– The island was also known to the Hindus as Satadip.

9. Breathtaking view from seven hills of the island

10. Eco-Tourism
– Astola Island is a popular but "hard" destination for eco-tourism, although there
are no lodging facilities on the island.
– Overnight tourists must camp on the island and bring their own provisions.
– Camping, fishing and scuba-diving expeditions are popular. It is also a site for
observing turtle breeding.
– There has been some damage to Astola's ecology due to rats and domesticated
cats left behind by fishermen, which have threatened bird nesting sites and
turtle hatcheries.

11. Limited greenery and vegetation

12. Thankyou!