| Introduction |
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The
province of Balochistan is unique in its geo-political significance. It forms
44% of Pakistan’s land mass and has a 770 km long coast line. It consist of
arid basins and various hill ranges, sharply marked off from the Indus plain by
the kirther and sulaiman ramparts. It exhibits a great variety of physical
features, consisting of vast rocky desert with extremes of climate and very low
rainfall. In the northeast, the Zhob –Loralai basin is surrounded by mountains
on all sides. The Quetta basin is also surrounded by mountains , namely Zarghun,
Takatu, Khilafat, Chiltan and Murdar Ghar. In the north and north west, the lobe
is bordered by the Toba Kakar Range. The
general terrain of north –western Balochistan comprises a series of low-lying
plateaus, some of which are separated by mountain ranges. The Ras Koh range in
the east runs north east- southwest. The Chagai hills form the border with
Afghanistan. This region is a true desert, an area of inland drainage and playas
known as Hamuns, the largest of which is Hamun-I-Mashkel. Southern
Balochistan includes the Sarawan area in the north and a vast wilderness of
ranges in the south. The
Balochistan plateau is extends westward, average 263 m. high, with many ridges
running The
brahvi extinct volcano, koh-I-sultan is situated about 500 km. west of Quetta.
Economically,
its vast rangelands, large numbers of livestock, rich mineral and gas deposits,
and good quality deciduous fruits are of significant value although there is
relatively little industrialization in the province. Balochistan’s arid but
diverse climatic zones have contributed to a rich animal and plants biodiversity
while building a definitive culture heritage that allowed survival in this
rugged and harsh landscape.
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