Hingol National Park

Hingol National Park, also called Hungol National Park, is one of the biggest national parks in Pakistan. It is in the Makran coastal area along and north of Pakistan's Arabian Sea coast. The park covers a huge area of about 6,100 square kilometres. It is 190 km from Karachi and is in the districts of Gwadar, Lasbela, and Awaran in Balochistan. It became a national park in 1988.

The park is named after the southern part of the Hingol River, which runs along the Arabian Sea. This area has many water birds and lots of sea life. Hingol National Park has six different ecosystems, including desert and plain areas, making it special among the national parks of Pakistan.

Around the park, you will find a thick forest to the north, a dry mountain range to the south, and the Hingol River tributary. This river is home to thousands of birds that visit each year and marsh crocodiles. To the south are the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Since the Makran Coastal Highway was finished in 2004, the park's unusual rock shapes have attracted many visitors from all over the country.

Wildlife

Hingol National Park is a special place for animals and plants in Pakistan. It has many kinds of plants and animals. You can see mammals, water animals, frogs, lizards, and birds that travel from far away. Sometimes you can see marsh crocodiles near the coast.

Hangul Bay has many sea animals, like dolphins and special turtles. These turtles come to the beach in August to lay their eggs at night. But plastic on the beach makes it hard for them, so some turtles leave without laying eggs. This has made the number of these turtles smaller along the coasts.

Rock formations

Hingol National Park has many interesting natural rock shapes made by wind and water. One famous rock looks like a tall statue of a woman and is called the Princess of Hope. Another rock looks like a sphinx and is known as the Balochistan Sphinx.

The park also has many mud volcanoes. These are hills made of mud that sometimes bubble up from below the ground. They are mostly found in the Mid-Hor area and are a special sight for visitors.

Hinglaj Mata mandir

Hinglaj Mata mandir, also called Nani Mandir, is a very important Hindu shrine in Pakistan. It is in the middle of Hingol National Park. Every spring, many people travel to visit this special place.

The Kali Mata temple is inside a cave in the Hinglaj Valley. People say it is very old. Each year, many people join a big festival. Leaders from the Hindu communities help organize it. Because there are not many places to stay, most visitors live in tents. Some even sleep under trees. One of the hardest parts for visitors is climbing Chandra Gup Mt.

Makran beaches

The beach near Kand Malir in Hingol National Park is called 'Virgin Beach'. It was named one of Asia's 50 Most Beautiful Beaches in 2018. The area has deserts, tall mountains, and volcanoes, making it special for visitors. Not many people visit yet. You can drive along the Makran Coastal Highway to reach Sapat Beach in Boji Koh, another beautiful beach in Balochistan.

The Hingol National Park team has over 20 members from groups like Wildlife Pakistan and the local government. Some parts of the park still need improvement. Kand Malir beach, also called "Golden Beach", is famous for its very clear water and is considered one of Pakistan’s most beautiful beaches.

Natural history

Hingol National Park has many different landscapes where animals and plants live. It has dry forests and rocky areas. The park also has a river mouth that helps birds and fish live there.

The park is home to many plants and animals. Over 250 kinds of plants have been found, and scientists think there are more to discover. Animals in the park include mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the mammals are the Sindh ibex, which lives in the steep mountains. Other animals include foxes, wolves, and special birds like eagles and vultures.

Conservation

Hingol National Park is home to many special birds that need protection. Some of these birds are rare or in danger. The park helps keep these birds safe and lets people learn about them.

The birds that need special care include the Sociable lapwing, Saker falcon, White-backed vulture, Spot-billed pelican, Dalmatian pelican, Eastern imperial eagle, Pallas's fish eagle, Houbara bustard, Black ibis, Black-tailed godwit, Sooty falcon, Goliath heron, Desert owl, and Brown fish owl. These birds are important to the park and to nature.

Management

The park is cared for by a small team of 20 staff members. This team includes 18 game watchers and 2 deputy rangers. They all work under the park manager, who reports to higher officials in charge of wildlife and the environment.