Kirthar Range Things to Do

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These ponds were created when flash floods passed through this ravine, resulting wipeout for roads.

Now one had to take a diversion and passed near these ponds. This one was full of frogs and a good place to rest and relax your feet in the water. It was also interesting to explore further down (from the road) and discover a beautifully carved ravine going towards Hub Dam. Above the ravine were farmlands and small villages.

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What Grand Canyon is to Colorado, Kirthar is to Sindh. The landscape, topographic, streams/rivers, canyons, wildlife, historical sites, etc are all there. Except on a mini-scale.

From Khar Center one can view the start of Kirthar range on one side, plains on the other and Hub Dam on one end. To really explore one will require a lot of time, a 4x4, and a proper guide.

For city dewellers like us, the change in scenery seen in Kirthar was very refreshing.

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Sometimes people, especially children, will find pleasure in simple activities.

Though we were here for a short while, there was not much to do or go around. After climbing down the center and coming back up, eating our lunch, something had to be found. Some were dancing, maybe for rain, or maybe they were just joyous.

Some found actvity of throwing stones over the canyon. Even the older generation found stone throwing fun.

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I asked my little daughter, Saniya, What does a crocodile say?

"Chomp! Chomp!" with fingers snapping.

Yup, these crocs looked quite hungry. As soon as we peaked over, some of them started moving towards us. No wonder the park management had any protective railing around the pool...so maybe some unsuspecting wildlife accidentally trips over and fell in, and satisfy the crocs hunger.

The Sindh Crocodile sanctuary is situated below the Khar center, with access gates locked at all time. A dirt track takes one to the two pond (one dried/empty) where these ferocious reptiles are resting. The attendant in the center will open the locked gates. One can either hike down from Khar center, or takes one vehicle to it.

Now these crocs had massive teeth. The one I had seen at Mangopir had fewer (maybe the dentist pulled them and sold these). There was also stench of murky water around the pond.

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The only shooting allowed in the park is through your camera lens. Although I heard that there is trophy hunting for Ibex, and this Ibex has to be old and grey, and not able to contribute anymore in the reproduction process, price USD 10,000+ (I think). Only one shot is allowed.

The logic is that this old Ibex will be killed anyway by its own heard (competition by the new kid on the block). Survival of the fittest. In this case, meek will not inherit the female Ibex ;)

Wildlife:
There are thousands of Ibex, wild goats, urials, etc. These animals share their habitats with various tribes/habitats who are farming around this area. In 1984, 15 blackbuck from the USA were brought to Khar visitor centre for captive propagation, and is planned to introduce the species to the park.

Mammals in the park:
Sindh leopard, Hyena, Wolf, Fox, Wild goat, Blandford's Urial, Badgers, Pangolin, Caracal, Jungle cat, Jackal, Chinkara Gazelles, Black Buck, Hedgehog, Porcupine, Grey Mongoose, mouse.

Birds in the park:
Vultures, eagles (various kinds), Lagger falcon, Red-headed merlin, Kestrel, Close-Barred sandgrouse, Houbara bustard, Grey partridge, Stone Curlew, sand grouse, owl , Sind pied woodpecker, Hume's chat, Brown rock pipit, Striped buning, Finche larks, Hoopoe, Shrikes and Wheatears.

Reptiles in the park:
Rock python, Sind cobra, vipers, Sind krait, Royal rat snake, Tortoises, Desert Monitor lizard, Yellow Monitor lizard, Sind Crocodiles, and different species of lizard and chameleon and frogs.

Some of the above animals are threatened and on the verge of extinctions.

This grave of an unknow saint/pir is situated very close to the Hub Dam. Maybe on my next trip I will stop to check whose it is.