Kori Creek: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by InternetArchiveBot
Last edited March 21, 2026
← Older editNewer edit →
VisualWikitext
WikiDwarfBOT (talk | contribs)
Bots, trusted
8,493 edits
m →References: Replace {{Source}} tag
->John of Reading
m →Geography: Typo fixing, replaced: TImes → Times
Line 1: Line 1:
{{complex|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox river
{{npov|date=November 2013}}
| name              = Kori Creek
The '''Kori Creek''' ({{lang-gu|કોરી ખાડી}}, {{lang-ur|کوری کریک}}) is a tidal [[creek]] and maritime [[Border dispute]] between the Kutch region of the Indian state of [[Gujarat]] and the Kachchhi region of the Pakistani province of [[Sindh]]. It is in the [[Rann of Kutch]] marshland east of the Sir Creek, which is disputed between India and Pakistan. It is a 96 km (60 mi) strip of water disputed between the [[Republic of India]] and [[Pakistan]], claimed by [[India]] as a part of the Indian Rann of Kutch marshlands. The creek, which opens up into the [[Arabian Sea]], divides the Kutch region of the Indian state of [[Gujarat]] with the [[Sindh]] province of Pakistan.
| name_native        =
The long-standing dispute hinges in the actual demarcation "from the mouth of Kori Creek to the top of Kori Creek, and from the top of Kori Creek eastward to a point on the line designated on the Western Terminus". From this point onwards, the boundary is unambiguously fixed as defined by the Tribunal Award of 1968.
| name_native_lang  =
| name_other        =
| name_etymology    =
| nickname          =
<!---------------------- IMAGE-->
| image              = Bombay Prov north 1909.jpg
| image_size        = 300px
| image_caption      = Location of Kori Creek in British Colonial era map
| image_alt          =
<!---------------------- MAPS -->
| map                =
| map_size          =
| map_caption        =
| map_alt            =
| pushpin_map        =  
| pushpin_map_size  =  
| pushpin_map_caption= Kori Creek
| pushpin_map_alt    =
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1  =
| subdivision_name1  =
| subdivision_type2  =
| subdivision_name2  =
| subdivision_type3  =
| subdivision_name3  =
| subdivision_type4  =
| subdivision_name4  =
| subdivision_type5  =
| subdivision_name5  =
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length            =
| width_min          =
| width_avg          =
| width_max          =
| depth_min          =
| depth_avg          =
| depth_max          =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min    =
| discharge1_avg    =
| discharge1_max    =
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1            =
| source1_location  =
| source1_coordinates= <!-- {{Coord|...}} -->
| source1_elevation  =
| mouth              =
| mouth_location    = [[Indian ocean]]
| mouth_coordinates  = {{coord|23|35|N|68|22|E|display=title|region:IN_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}}
| mouth_elevation    =
| progression        =
| river_system      = [[Indus river|Indus river delta]]
| basin_size        =
| basin_landmarks    =
| basin_population  =
| tributaries_left  =
| tributaries_right  =
| waterbodies        =
| waterfalls        =
| bridges            =
| ports              =
| custom_label      =
| custom_data        =
| extra              =
}}


The creek itself is in the uninhabited marshlands. 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.
[[image:Sir-Creek-map.svg|270px|thumb|Kori Creek]]
[[Image:Bombay Prov north 1909.jpg|thumb|This map shows the creek in the [[Rann of Kutch]] of [[Gujarat]].]]


==Dispute==
The '''Kori Creek''' is a [[tidal creek]] in the [[Kutch district|Kutch region]] of the [[India]]n state of [[Gujarat]]. It lies just to the west of the [[Great Rann of Kutch]] area of India. This region belonging to India is a part of the [[Indus River Delta]] which lies across [[Gujarat]] state in India and [[Sindh]] in [[Pakistan]].
[[Image:Bombay Prov north 1909.jpg|thumb|This map shows the creek in the Rann of Kutch.]]
The dispute is in the interpretation of the boundary line between Kutch and Sindh as depicted in a 1914 and 1925 map. At that time, the region was a part of [[Bombay Presidency]] of undivided India. After India's independence in 1947, Sindh became a part of [[Pakistan]] while Kutch became a part of India.


The resolution, which demarcated the boundaries between the two territories, included the creek as part of [[Sindh]] province, thus setting the boundary as the eastern flank of the creek. The boundary line, known as the "Green Line", is disputed by India which maintains that it is an indicative line, known as a "ribbon line" in technical jargon. India's position is that the boundary is mid-channel as depicted in another map drawn in 1925, and implemented by the installation of mid-channel pillars back in 1924.
The [[Sir Creek]], laying around 33&nbsp;km northwest of Kori Creek, is a disputed area between India and [[Pakistan]].


India supports its stance by citing the Thalweg Doctrine in International Law. The law states that river boundaries between two states may be, if the two states agree, divided by the mid-channel. Though Pakistan does not dispute the 1925 map, it maintains that the Doctrine is not applicable in this case as it only applies to bodies of water that are navigable, which the Kori Creek is not. India rejects the Pakistani stance by maintaining the fact that the creek is navigable in high tide, and that [[fishing trawler]]s use it to go out to sea. Several cartographic surveys conducted have supported the Indian claim. Another point of concern for Pakistan is that Kori Creek has changed its course considerably over the years. If the boundary line is demarcated (outlined) according to the Thalweg principle, Pakistan stands to lose a considerable portion of the territory that was historically part of the province of Sindh. Accepting India's stance would also result in the shifting of the land/sea [[wikt:terminus|terminus]] (end) point several kilometres to the disadvantage of Pakistan, leading in turn to a loss of several thousand square kilometres of its [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] under the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea.
==Geography==
On the border of India and Pakistan in Gujarat at the mouth of Indus river the Kori Creek is one of the six main creeks on the Indian side. Other all other five are to the west of it, namely [[Sir Creek]] - the westernmost creek, [[Vian Wari|Vian Wari Creek]] (Vianbari and Viyanbari), [[Pir Sanai Creek|Pir Sanai]], [[Pabevari Creek|Pabevari]], and [[Padala Creek|Padala]] 16&nbsp;km west.<ref name=hit2>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/21-months-on-bsf-still-bereft-of-hi-tech-tools-to-fight-nature-60378 21 months on, BSF still bereft of hi-tech tools to fight nature], The Tribune, 2015.</ref><ref name=hit1/> All of these creeks are within undisputed territory of India, except westernmost creek, i.e. the Sir Creek, is claimed by both India and Pakistan. evershifting creeks, exit Indian territory, enter Pakistan, reenter India and vice versa, thus creating hard to patrol snake and scorpions infested marshy wetland border with no physical barrier or fencing. [[Indian military]]'s [[Border Security Force]] (BSF) patrols the Kori Creek and Sir Creek up to midstream using floating border posts, amphibious vehicles, and foot travel by the Creek Crocodile Commandos. The coastal area of Sir Creek is manned by the [[Indian Coast Guard]] and larger open sea beyond is patrolled by the [[Indian Navy]].<ref name=hit1>[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/away-from-the-loc-how-bsf-has-secured-the-natural-border-between-gujarat-and-pakistan/articleshow/55390784.cms?from=mdr Away from the LoC, how BSF has secured the natural border between Gujarat and Pakistan], Economic Times 13 July 2018.</ref>


In April 1965, a dispute there contributed to the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]], when fighting broke out between India and Pakistan. Later the same year, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson persuaded both countries to set up a [[tribunal]] to resolve the dispute. A [[verdict]] was reached in 1968, which saw Pakistan getting 10% of its claim of 9,000&nbsp;km² (3,500 sq. miles).
==See also==
* [[Rann of Kutch]]
* [[Borders of India]]


The disputed region was at the center of international attention in 1999 after Mig-21 fighter planes of the Indian Air Force shot down a Pakistani Navy Breguet Atlantique surveillance aircraft over the Kori Creek on August 10, 1999, killing all 16 on board. India claimed that the plane had strayed into its airspace, which was disputed by the Pakistani navy. (See the Atlantique Incident)
==References==
 
===Economic reasons===
Though the Kori [[Creek]] has little military value, it 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&nbsp;km) and can be subjected to commercial exploitation.
 
The demarcation would also prevent the inadvertent crossing over of fishermen of both nations into each others' territories.
 
===Dispute resolution===
The [[Federal Government of Pakistan]] lays claim to the entire creek as per ''paras 9 and 10'' of the ''Bombay Government Resolution of 1914''<ref name="indemb">{{cite web|title=India-Pakistan talks: Sir Creek|work=Embassy of India|url=http://www.indianembassy.org/South_Asia/Pakistan/indpak(sircreek).htm|accessdate=May 21, 2006|archive-date=January 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107033412/https://www.indianembassy.org/error.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> signed between the then provincial [[Government of Sindh]] and Rao Maharaj, then the ruler of the former [[Princely state]] of [[Kutch (princely state)|Kutch]].<ref name="hindu">{{cite web |title=Dialogue on Sir Creek begins|work=The Hindu |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/05/29/stories/2005052902300900.htm|accessdate=May 21, 2006}}</ref>
However since 1969, there have been eight rounds of talks between the two nations, without a breakthrough. Steps to resolve the dispute include:
* Allocation
* Delimitation
* Demarcation
* Administration
 
Since neither side has conceded ground, India has proposed that the maritime boundary could be demarcated first, as per the provisions of Technical Aspects of Law of Sea (TALOS). However, Pakistan has firmly refused the proposal on the grounds that the dispute should be resolved first. Pakistan has also proposed that the two sides go in for international arbitration, which India has flatly refused. India maintains that all bilateral disputes should be resolved without the intervention of third-parties.
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{India-Pakistan relations}}


{{coord|23|35|N|68|22|E|display=title|region:IN_type:waterbody_source:GNS-enwiki}}
[[Category:Estuaries of India]]
 
[[Category:Landforms of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Rivers of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Geography of Kutch district]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes of India]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes of Pakistan]]
 
 
{{simple-Wikipedia}}

Revision as of 19:26, 27 July 2021

Kori Creek
Location of Kori Creek in British Colonial era map
Physical characteristics
Mouth 
 • location
Indian ocean
 • coordinates
23°35′N 68°22′E / 23.583°N 68.367°E / 23.583; 68.367
Basin features
River systemIndus river delta
Kori Creek
This map shows the creek in the Rann of Kutch of Gujarat.

The Kori Creek is a tidal creek in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat. It lies just to the west of the Great Rann of Kutch area of India. This region belonging to India is a part of the Indus River Delta which lies across Gujarat state in India and Sindh in Pakistan.

The Sir Creek, laying around 33 km northwest of Kori Creek, is a disputed area between India and Pakistan.

Geography

On the border of India and Pakistan in Gujarat at the mouth of Indus river the Kori Creek is one of the six main creeks on the Indian side. Other all other five are to the west of it, namely Sir Creek - the westernmost creek, Vian Wari Creek (Vianbari and Viyanbari), Pir Sanai, Pabevari, and Padala 16 km west.[1][2] All of these creeks are within undisputed territory of India, except westernmost creek, i.e. the Sir Creek, is claimed by both India and Pakistan. evershifting creeks, exit Indian territory, enter Pakistan, reenter India and vice versa, thus creating hard to patrol snake and scorpions infested marshy wetland border with no physical barrier or fencing. Indian military's Border Security Force (BSF) patrols the Kori Creek and Sir Creek up to midstream using floating border posts, amphibious vehicles, and foot travel by the Creek Crocodile Commandos. The coastal area of Sir Creek is manned by the Indian Coast Guard and larger open sea beyond is patrolled by the Indian Navy.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 21 months on, BSF still bereft of hi-tech tools to fight nature, The Tribune, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Away from the LoC, how BSF has secured the natural border between Gujarat and Pakistan, Economic Times 13 July 2018.
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kori_Creek&oldid=226464"
Discover more