ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Kirthar National Park is a protected area with both economic and strategic importance. Pakistan can earn a handsome revenue by promoting the park’s heritage. It will improve tourism and uplift the country’s economy.
Both Pakistani people and international tourists visit this site frequently. Its economic value can be further increased by taking proper managerial steps.
Talking to WealthPK, Head of Sindh Wildlife and Forest Department Javed Ahmed Mahar said that Kirthar National Park was established in 1974. In 1975, it was included in the United Nations list of national parks and equivalent reserves.
“In 2010, Sindh provincial government allocated Rs400 million to build basic infrastructure, offices, check posts, conservation plans, media section, press gallery, and to perform other management activities at the site. Now, there is a dire need to regularize development activities at Kirthar National Park,” he said.
There are two visitors’ centres in Karchat and Khar, and two visitors’ sub centres in Thano Ahmed Khan and Bachani, all of which are managed by Sindh Wildlife Department. The facility of overnight stay is also available in these centres. It is also the route for Pedestrian pilgrims of famous cave “Lahoot Lamakan” from olden days. Varieties of more than 400 species of flora and fauna are found at the site.
Pakistan’s largest fort of Ranikot, fortified by a 35km² wall, is also nestled in it. Since 1993, it has been on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. “Pond of fairies”, another piece of folklore, is also located in its boundaries. Other remarkable features of Khirthar National Park are diversified land marks, old habitation ruins near Koh-trash, centuries-old tombs of Taung (a cluster of four graveyards), petrified trees, calcified fossils, old runes, olden hieroglyphic writings, springs of fresh water, wildlife sanctuaries of Hub dam and Mahal, game reserves of Surjan, Sumbak, Eri and Hothiano, a variety of wildlife etc. It is hiding the marvels of centuries-old heritage, myths and folklore.
For students, scientists, archaeologists, historians, naturalists and adventure seeking people, Kirthar National Park keeps a world of wonder in store.
Sindh Wildlife Department is working enthusiastically to conserve these national assets and to benefit the visitors. Unfortunately, no prominent tourist plan is ever made with the joint efforts of both Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department and Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). It is important to promote eco-tourism in Pakistan. It will help generate a handsome park income which can be used to conserve different species or for other park-related works. Local people can be trained as tour guides and gamekeepers. In this way, people living in nearby areas will get economic benefits. The PTDC can hold small training workshops to make the local people learn about the benefits they can get by becoming part of the conservation plan.
