HAZARGANJI-CHILTAN NATIONAL PARK

The creator has blessed Pakistan with all sorts of beauty spots. Every province, city, town, and the village is uniquely designed. Some are full deserts with glittering sand. Others are vast plain best for cultivation and many others are dense with forests. Whereas the northern sides are surrounded by dry heightened mountains and some green-covered hilltops. Some mountains are whitened with snow and are home to spring water. In nutshell, Pakistan has every quality of beauty.

But today we will focus on the Baluchistan side. It is the largest province of Pakistan that has distinct landscapes.  Its distinct features may rarely be found elsewhere in the world. From its high mountains to its vast deserts, it provides a variety that suffices to fulfill all sorts of tourists’ wanderlust. Yet there are many things yet to be discovered. The capital of Baluchistan Quetta has its own worth of beauty. It is known as the fruit basket of Pakistan. So let’s explore the national park located in Quetta.

Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park

The park is located in the Suleiman mountain range, about 20 km southwest of Quetta. The area is mountainous with precipitous slopes divided by ravines. The park has been named Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park because Chiltan Hills and Hazar Ganji Range lie west and east of it. You know the word “Hazarganji” means a thousand treasures, and there was a time when it was believed that a thousand treasures are hidden under the mountains of this park. The national park is home to some of the rarest species like Chiltan ibex and Suleiman markhor (wild goat), the national animal of Pakistan. These species are endangered one so that the national park was established in 1980 to preserve them. This park is extended to about 15,555 hectares and provides a safe and secure environment for breeding these endangered species.

Moreover, the park is upgraded with different facilities like a history museum, picnic spots, and accommodation in rest houses. From the museum, one can gain detailed information about the animals found in this park and other areas of the province. The biodiversity of the park is impressive.

Animal Species        

As it is home to around 30 species of mammals including nine species of large mammals and 21 species of small ones. There are approximately 300-400 rare Suleiman markhor and about 800 Chiltan ibexes. Apart from these mammals, Urial sheep are also found on the western slopes between 1500m and 2100m. Other faunas include striped hyena, red fox, Balochistan leopard, caracal, common jackal, Indian crested porcupine, and desert hare.

Bird Species

Besides these rare mammals, 120 species of avifauna can also be found in this park, out of which, 36 are resident, and 84 are migratory. The avifauna here comprises the rare Houbara bustard, griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, long-billed pipit, Eastern Orphean warbler, variable wheatear, blue rock thrush, whinchat, white-browed bush chat, Indian scops owl, Indian cuckoo, European bee-eater, chukar partridge, laggard falcon, peregrine falcon, and Lichtenstein’s desert finch.  However, in winters, birds like the crested honey buzzard also make Hazarganji Chiltan National Park their home. Whereas, in the summer, the park is used for breeding by some of the unique species like the European nightjar.

The ecological diversified park also provides shelter to 30 species of reptiles. Though the park is not densely covered with trees, quite a few Pashtun junipers, pistachio, almond, and ash trees can be found here.

Moreover, Hazarganji Chiltan National Park provides a serene and healthy environment to its visitors. People who love hiking must visit this beautiful site as it allows for a satisfying experience for the hikers. This park is a package of all-in-one. So why not visit this amazing place and boost your knowledge as well.

Suggestion:

There are many places in Baluchistan that should be explored. And for that, the government needs to support and encourage researchers to reach out and explore them. This can benefit both the locals and also can generate revenue at a national level. Therefore,take a step and introduce the world to beautifully natural Pakistan.

Muhammad Mahmood Alam, often referred to as M.M. Alam, was a legendary Pakistani fighter pilot who gained fame during the 1965 Pak-Indo War. He is celebrated for his exceptional skills and courage in combat, particularly for downing five Indian Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft in a single dogfight in less than a minute. This remarkable achievement earned him the nickname “Little Dragon” and solidified his reputation as one of Pakistan’s most celebrated fighter pilots.

M.M. Alam’s extraordinary feat of shooting down five enemy aircraft in such a short span of time is still regarded as one of the most significant accomplishments in aerial combat history. He was an inspiration to generations of Pakistani pilots and remains a symbol of bravery and skill in the Pakistan Air Force’s history.

While the term “Top Gun” is often associated with elite fighter pilots, it’s essential to note that M.M. Alam achieved legendary status not only within Pakistan but also on the international stage due to his exceptional combat performance. His legacy as a real-life “Top Gun” endures in the annals of aviation history

The 11th death anniversary of 1965 War Hero Muhammad Mahmood Alam, popularly known as M M Alam is being observed on Monday.

Pakistan Air Force legendary war hero M M Alam, nicknamed while piloting an F-86 Sabre, shot down five Indian war planes in less than a minute during 1965 Pak-India war and altogether, downed nine war planes in the aerial fight.

MM Alam was the first ever fighter pilot for PAF, listed on top in the hall of famers’ list at the PAF Museum in Karachi.

Alam is considered as a national hero for Pakistan, most significantly, for his remarkable show of brilliance in the war of 1965. He was awarded the ‘Sitara-e-Jurat’ and also the BAR medal.

He died in Karachi on this day in 2013 at the age of 77 after a protracted illness.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Services Chiefs have paid tribute to the 1965 war hero Air Commodore Mohammad Mahmood Alam on his 11th death anniversary.