DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH BALOCHISTAN, ARI, SARIAB QUETTA
AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF BALOCHISTAN
CONTENTS
S.NO. ZONES & ITS DISTRICTS
PAGE
NO.
1
UPLANDS ZONE
1
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
Ix
X
Xi
xii
xiii
xiv
xv
xvi
Quetta……………………………………………………………….
Pishin…………………………………………………………………
Killah Abdulla………………………………………………………
Killah Saifulla………………………………………………………..
Loralai………………………………………………………………..
Zhob………………………………………………………………….
Sherani ………………………………………………………………
Musakhel…………………………………………………………….
Kalat…………………………………………………………………
Mastung……………………………………………………………….
Khuzdar……………………………………………………………….
Ziarat………………………………………………………………….
Harnai…………………………………………………………………
Barkhan………………………………………………………………
Panjgur………………………………………………………………
Awaran………………………………………………………………
2
2
3
3
4
4
2
PLAINS ZONE
8
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
Kholu……………………………………………………………….
Bolan………………………………………………………………
Sibi…………………………………………………………………
Jhall Magsi………………………………………………………...
Dera Bugti…………………………………………………………
Jaffarabad………………………………………………………….
Nasirabad………………………………………………………….
9
10
10
11
11
11
12
3
DESERT ZONE
12
i
Ii
iii
iv
Nushki…………………………………………………………….
Chagai…………………………………………………………….
Kharan…………………………………………………………….
Washuk ……………………………………………………………
12
13
4
COASTAL ZONE
14
i
Lasbella……………………………………………………………
14
4
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
7
Kech……………………………………………………………….
ii
Districts
14
Area
sq: km
Altitude
meter
Temperature
◦c
Rainfall
mm
Soil type
Quetta
2653
1700 m
226-308 mm
Pishin
7819
1700 m
Sandy clay silt
loan
Clay silt
Killaabdullah
3293
1750-2450
m
01-1.7 ◦c
34-36 ◦c
1.7 ◦c -0.1 ◦c
34-36 ◦c
0.1 – 1.7 ◦c
35.4-35.9
Killahsaifullah
6831
1550-7170
Below 10 ◦c
271-392
iii
iv
308 mm
308
Gawadar…………………………………………………………..
References…………………………………………………………
UPLAND DISTRICTS
Silt clay and
clayey silt and
sandy clay
Loamy, sandy
15
15-16
m
1085-1676
m
21-32 ◦c
0.5 ◦c
35-37.2 ◦c
0.3-0.4 ◦c
35-35.8 ◦c
10 degree
21-32 ◦c
28-31.7
320-359 mm
325-750 mm
loan clayey
Calcareous
sandy silt
Clayey silt,
sandy clay
Loamy, silt
220-240 mm
loam
28.4
220-240 mm
Clay loam
1237-0210
28-32
250 mm
Clay, silt
2454 m
( - )16 ◦c 20 ◦c
206 mm
Loamy ,stony
Loralai
9830
Zhob
20297
Musakhal
5728
Kalat
6622
Mastung
5896
1200-2400
m
2054-2.35.6
1704-023.6
Kuzdar
5380
Ziarat
1489
296 mm
2500m
Harnai
Barkhan
3514
Panjgoor
16891
1200-2400
m
900-1530m
Awaran
29510
900-1530m
Silt
10 degree
21-32 ◦c
Below 10 ◦c
32-38 ◦c
Below 10 ◦c
32-38 ◦c
325-750 mm
Loamy, silt
100-115 mm
Silt loam, clay
Silt loam, clay
AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF BALOCHISTAN
Balochistan is divided into four agro-ecological zones such as:
1. Uplands
2. Plains
3. Deserts
4. coastal
1. UPLANDS ZONE
(Subtropical continental highlands with dry temperate continental winter rains)
with cold winters and general winter and spring rains. Upland were grouped further in to
sub-Zone. The area above 5,000-8,000 feet like, Quetta, Pishin, Killa Abdulla, Killa
Saifulla, Loralai, Muslim bagh, Zhob, Musa Khel, Kalat, Mastung, Toba Kakri, Toba
Achakzai, Ziarat and Kan Mehtharzai or northern Balochistan were designated as subzone I. Sub-zone II comprised of southern areas of khuzdar, part of kharan, Wadh, Naal ,
Barkhan and Kholu.
QUETTA
Climate
The climate of the district is generally dry. Fairly arid climate prevails in the
Quetta valley.
District, Area Sq/Km, Altitude, Temperature, Rainfall and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall
Soil Type
Quetta
2653
1700 m
01-1.7 ◦c
34-36 ◦c
226-308 mm
Sandy clay
silt loam
Vegetation
Artemisea maritime, cymbopogon, Nepeta Juncea, Astragalis, Shkarai,
Andropogo, Camelarom, Juniper and Pistachio. (Shkarai, Andropogo, Artemisea are used
as a fodder).
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Quetta
Cereal Crop, Cumin, Pulses, Vegetables, Fodders, Sunflower, Oil
Crop, Tobacco, Pome & Stone Fruits, Berries & Figs.
PISHIN
Climate
The climate of Pishin is generally dry and on the whole temperate. None of the
different parts of the district present any marked variations. Quetta and Killa Abdullah,
two adjoining districts, owing to their higher elevation are cooler than Pishin & Mastung.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall
Soil Type
Pishin
7819
1700 m
1.7 ◦c -0.1 ◦c
34-36 ◦c
308 mm
Clay silt sandy
clay & Loamy
Vegetation
Salsolaspp, Holoxylon resurrum, Wild Pistachio, (Khinjak) wild flora and grasses.
Pistachio use as a fodder for livestock.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Pishin
Cereal Crop, Cumin, Pulses, Vegetables, Fodders, Oil Seed,
Tobacco, Pome & Stone Fruits, Berries & Figs.
KILLA ABDULLAH
Climate
The climate of the district Killa Abdullah is generally dry and temperate. The
adjoining districts have somewhat deviating temperatures, owing to different elevations.
The climatic conditions of the district are particularly suitable for fruits and vegetable.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Sq/Km
Killa Abdullah
3293
1750-2450 m
0.2 – 1.7 ◦c
35.4-35.9
308
Silt clay, clayey
silt and sandy
clay
Vegetation
Tarkha, Shorai, Makhi & Shkrai
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Killa Abdullah
Cereal Crops, Vegetables, Fodders, Tobacco, Pome & Stone
Fruits, Berries, Figs Pomegranate.
KILLA SAIFULLAH
Climate
The climate of Killa Saifullah is semi arid (steppe). It can be placed in “warm
summer and cool winter” temperature region.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Killahsaifullah 6831
1550-7170 m
Below 10 ◦c
21-32 ◦c
271-392
Loamy, sandy
loam clayey
Vegetation
showan Wild olive, shung (wild ash), ghaz (tamarix galica), willow, crysopogan,
sympogan, Pistachio & various grasses.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Killa Saifullah
Cereal Crops, cumin, tobacco, pulses, Vegetables, fodder Stone
fruits, Pome fruit, Nuts & Pomegranate
LORALAI
Climate
The climate of the area is dry but varies with the elevation. At high elevation it is
cold and dry with occasional snowfall and severe frosts. Whereas in the lower elevation,
especially in the south and east, temperature is more uniform but hot in summer. The
district lies outside the monsoon area, therefore the rainfall is scanty.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Loralai
9830
1085-1676 m
0.5 ◦c
35-37.2 ◦c
296 mm
Calcareous
sandy silt, Loam
& clay
Vegetation
Juniper, Wild Pistachio, Wild Olive grow in lower hills. Acacia Modesta,
Glidetovbia Tricanthois, Ulnus Pennataramosa (alder), Gangu (Orthonopsis Intermedia)
Gandenae (Nerium Ordorum), Leghunae (Daphne Oleoides), Tirkha (Artemisia), Makhae
(Caragana), Oman (Ephedra), Cynodon Dactylom (Khabal), Desmostachya Bipinata
(Dab), Peganum Barmala (Harnal, Spand), Haloxylon Qriffithi (Lana), Rosa Beggeriana
(Surai), Nannborbops Ritehiana (Mazari), Acacia Modesta (Phulai), wild flora (Olive
Leaves is use as a fodder).
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Loralai
Cereal Crops, fodder, Pome fruit, stone fruits, nuts,
pomegranate, and vegetables.
ZHOB
Climate
The climate of the district is cold. In summer the weather does not get very hot. In
autumn the weather becomes very dry. The region receives heavy rainfall during summer.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Zhob
0.3-0.4 ◦c
35-35.8 ◦c
20297
320-359
mm
Clayey silt,
sandy clay
Vegetation
Pinus Geranandiana (Chilghoza Pine), Acadia Modusta (Palosa), Wild Olive,
Wild Pistachio and also medicinal Plants/Bushes.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Zhob
Cereal Crops, fodder, Pulses, Pomegranate, Pome fruits, Stone
fruits, Nuts barriers, Olive and Vegetables.
MUSA KHEL
Climate
The climate of Musakhel is semi-arid. It can be placed in the “warm summer and
mild winter” temperature region. The region receives heavy rainfall during summer.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Musakhal
5728
1200-2400 m
10 degree
21-32 ◦c
325-750
mm
Loamy, silt &
clay
Vegetation
The vegetation in Musakhel consists mainly of grasses, spiny scrubs, Grass and
fodder plants are fairly numerous in the district. Some are used as medicine. Other plants
shrubs & wild Olive are used as fodder for goats, sheep, cattle, and camels.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Musakhal
KALAT
Crops
Cereal Crops, Oil Crop, pulses, Vegetables, fodder, Pome Fruits,
Stone Fruits, Nuts, Pomegranate and barriers.
Climate
The climate of the district is dry in summer and cold in winter. It is one of the
coldest districts of Pakistan. Kalat city, owing to its higher elevation, is cooler than the
rest of the district.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Kalat
6622
2054 m
28-31.7 ◦c
220-240
mm
Loam clay, silt
clay
Vegetation
Juniper, Pistachio, mash monk (Prunus Eburnea), archin (Pranusamyydalug), wild
onion, Wild Flora, Wild Olive, Black Zira (cumin seed) and Medicinal Herbs.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Kalat
Cereal Crops, cumin, fodder, vegetables, pome fruits & stone fruits
MASTUNG
Climate
The climate is characterized by dry hot summers and mild to cool winters. The
variation between day and night temperature is large in almost all parts of the district.
Rainfall is scanty.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Mastung
5896
1704 m
28.4 oC
220-240
mm
Clay loam, silt
loam, silt
Vegetation
Juniper, Pistachio, mash monk (Prunus Eburnea), archin (Pranusamyydalug)m
wild onion wild flora, black cumin seed.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Mastung
Cereal Crops, cumin, fodder, vegetables, pome fruits, stone
fruits, barriers, nuts, Tobacco, Mulberry and Russian Olive.
KHUZDAR
Climate
The climate of Khuzdar is in “warm summer and mild winter”.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall
Kuzdar
5380
1237 m
o
28-32 C
250 mm
Soil Type
Clay, silt, sandy
clay
Vegetation
Wild olive, tamarisk, dwarf palm, acacia, parpuk or loiro, belellium, guggul tree,
Hawe, gorkha, kashum, fodder grasses wild flora.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Khuzdar
Crops
Cereal Crops, cumin, Pulses, Pome fruits, Stone fruits,
Vegetables, fodder, Nuts, Pomegranates and Tropical fruit.
ZIARAT
Climate
The area is refreshingly cool in summer, from May to August. It starts getting
cold in September and is extremely cold during November - March. In winter, it gets a
good amount of snowfall.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Ziarat
1489
2454 m
( - )16 ◦c 20 ◦c
206 mm
Loamy ,stony,
loam clay
Vegetation
Juniper, (accounting for the bulk of the forest trees); wild ash; wild almond; Olea
species, Pistachio, (a medicinal herb), Wild Flora and Wild Shurbs.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Ziarat
Pome fruits, Stone Fruits, Nuts, Cherry & Some Vegetables.
HARNAI
Climate
Not available
District
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall
Harnai
891m
Soil Type
Silt
Vegetation
Not available
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Harnai
All Vegetables, Sugarcane, Cereal Crops, Fodders, Loquat,
Tropical & temperate Fruits and Pomegranate are grown on
limited scale.
BARKHAN
Climate
The climate of Barkhan is moderate and not very hot in summer. Dust storms are
common. The winters are cold, especially when the winds blow form north-west. Storms
are common and sometimes they damage crops. Precipitation has two peaks a year, the
monsoon in summer en western storms in winter.
District
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall
Barkhan
3514
1200-2400 m
10 ◦c
325-750
Soil Type
Loamy, silt, clay
21-32 ◦c
mm
Vegetation
Acacia, moetesta, gorgal, mourai, wild-figs, helanai, phulai and locally known
trees, beri, lai, shora, uzma, gunal, bubal, raga, Pesh (dwarf palm), Wild bushes, tirkha
(artemisia), gangu (orthonopsis intermedia), gandenae (nerium ordorum), leghunae
(daphne olcoides) and makhae (Caragana).
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Barkhan
Cereal Crops, fodder, vegetable, Pome fruit, stone fruits, olive &
Nuts.
PANJGUR
Climate
The climate of Panjgur, is dry Arid.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall
Panjgoor
16891
900-1530m
Below 10 ◦c
32-38 ◦c
100-115
mm
Soil Type
Silt loam, clay
Vegetation
Grasses and spiny scrubs, Grass and fodder, barshonk, sorag, drug, kandar. kahur
(prosopis spicigera), gazz (tamarix galica) or tamarisk trees, Fodder grass, pharmaceutical
plants, aishark, guldir, morpuzo, danichk (Ispaghol), keraich and udesh , wild guan,
chigird, gishtar and pish (nannorhops ritchieana).
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Panjgoor
Cereal Crops, Pulses, vegetables, fodder, nuts, Pomegranate,
Barriers, Stone Fruits & Tropical fruit.
AWARAN
Climate
The climate of Awaran is hot in summer and cool in winter. Dust storms are
experienced throughout the year. The storms become very severe from June to September
when they are known as livar. Summer days are hot but nights are cool. The winter is
cool.
District
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall
Awaran
29510
900-1530m
Below 10 ◦c
32-38 ◦c
Soil Type
Silt loam, clay
Vegetation
Date Palm, Wild Fig, tamarix, willows, Otostegia Auohesi, Pyonotheco Spinosa
and Convolvulus Spinosus.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Awaran
Cereal Crops, Pulses, vegetables, fodder, nuts, Pomegranate,
Barriers, Stone Fruits & Dates.
PLAIN DISTRICTS
Districts
Area sq:
km
Altitude
meter
Temperature
◦c
Rainfall
mm
Kohlu Barkhan
7610
600-1200m
Below 10 ◦c
21-32 ◦c
Below 250
mm
175-325 mm
191-312
Rock, loamy
75 mm
Alluvial stony
138 mm
75 mm
Silt clay silt
loam sandy
loam
Alluvial stony
75 mm
Alluvial stony
Jhallmagsi
625-1250ml
132
625 m above
102 m
Dera Bughti
450
Jaffarabad
102 m
Naseerabad
102 m
Bolan
Sibi
Above 9-10 ◦c
34-35
0-9
39-45 ◦c
22-39 ◦c
0-9
39-45 ◦c
0-9
39-45 ◦c
Soil type
Alluvial stony
Alluvial stony
2. PLAINS ZONE
(Sub-tropical continental low land)
The plain areas are also very hot in summer with temperatures rising as high as 120
degrees F (50 degrees C). Winters are mild on the plains with the temperature, never
falling below the freezing point.
With high summer temperature and late summer monsoon rains. It includes districts of
Nasirabad, Jafarabad, Jalmagsi, Sibi, Bolan and Dera Bugti. The critical features of its
climate are the high temperatures and clear skies, which prevail for most of the year, and
the very low rainfall. Cultivation is possible only where water is available. Rainfall
during the summer season is associated with monsoon depressions from the southeast,
whilst winter precipitation is caused by western disturbances and occurs between
November and February. Winter rainfall is relatively regular, widespread and uniform
and contributes mostly to ground water recharge. Summer rainfall occurs generally from
June to August. It is of short duration and high intensity, therefore it does not contribute
so much to recharge. Within the plains, there are four Agro-ecological zones:
i)
Zone H.1: The Arid Highlands, comprising the Khirthar Range in the west and
Bugti Hills in the north.
ii) Zone P.1: The piedmont plain/outwash Fans including all lands at the foot of Arid
Highlands. It has been further subdivided into:
a) P.1A: The northern sub zone, a plain with associated outwash fans 10 km from
north to south and 130 km from east (Guddu Barrage) to west (the eastern margin of
the Kachhi Plains.
b) The Kachhi Plains:, north of the Pat Feeder Protection Bund up to latitude 29
degree N, approximately 50 km from Dera Murad Jamali, and
c) P.1C: The western sub zone, covering the area between the Khirthar range and
EPB, excluding the Piedmont wetlands (P.2) adjacent to the EPB and Khirthar
Canal.
iii)
Zone P.2: The piedmont wetlands occurring along the Flood Protective Bund
(EPB) and Pat-Feeder Protection Bund. These may be either seasonally or
perennially (PFPB) flooded.
iv) Zone L.1: Manchar Lake.
Most of the farmers of the plains zone have 0-50 acres of land. A few of the farmers have
very large farms of more than 200 acres of farm land
The soils (89%) are heavy; clay or Silty caly. Eleven percent is medium in texture
Nasirabad is irrigated by canal and saline water is a serious problem in some locations.
Bagh is flood is flood irrigated and is dependent on rainfall. Water scarcity is the main
problem in Bagh.
In Dhadar, water shortage is not quite so bad a problem as in Bagh, but salinity is more of
a problem.
Crops grown in the Plains
Wheat, Mustard, Chickpea, Lentil, onion and tomato, Rice, Cotton, Sorghum,
Fodder, squashes, melons and vegetables.
The climate of the upper highlands is characterized by very cold winters and warm
summers. Winters of the lower highlands vary from extremely cold in the northern
districts to mild conditions closer to the Makran coast. Summers are hot and dry. The arid
zones of Chaghi and Kharan districts are extremely hot in summer.
KOHLU
Climate
The climate of Kohlu is warm in summer and cool in winter.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Kohlu
Area Sq/Km
7610
Altitude
600-1200m
Temperature
Below 10 ◦c
21-32 ◦c
Rainfall
Below
250 mm
Soil Type
Rocks,
loamy,silt
Vegetation
Grasses, spiny scrubs, angúr (vitis vinifera), barar (periploca aphylla), barau
(sorghum halepense), ber (zizyphus), ghozera (sophora grifithii), girdae butae (althaea
ludwigii), Wild Rose, khar (suæda fruticosa), khokhae (allium sphærocephalum), kirar
(capparis aphulla), leghunae (daphne oleoides), lúkha (typha angustifolia), mákhae
(caragana), manri, mashkanri, mazari (nannorhops ritchieana), pah, palosa (acacia
modesta), pannangi (boucerosia aucheriana), parwat (cocculus leæba), pilu (salvadora
oleoides), raghbolae, sába (stipa capillata), sargarae, shang (fraxinus xanthoxyloides),
shezgi (eremurus aurantiacus), shinbutae, shorae (haloxylon grifithii), showan (olive),
shrawan (pistacia cabulica), sinzalae (elaeagnus hortensis), spalmai (calotropis gigantea),
spánda (peganum harmala), sperkai (carum copticum), surai (rosa lacerans), tamand,
tamarisk (tamarix indica), tindan (alhagi camelorum), Titok (convolvulus spinosus),
turwawasha, uman (ephedra pachyclada), urgalami (rhazya stricta), uzhgai, wild olive
(olea cuspidata), wizha, wulla (willow), zandan, zardalu (prunus armeniaca), zarga
(prunus eburnea), zawal (achillea santolina) and zhizh aghzai.
Among these, spánda and sperkai are used as medicine. Most other plants and shrubs are
used as fodder for goats, sheep, cattle and camels.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Kohlu
Cereal Crops, Pulses, Cotton, vegetables, fodder, nuts,
Pomegranate, Barriers, Stone Fruits & Tropical Fruits.
BOLAN
Climate
Bolan district incorporates all kinds of weather types. The hilly areas are mild in
summer and severe cold with snow in winter. Because of its low altitude, the plain area is
extremely hot and humid in summer. In winter the climate on the plain area is pleasant.
Day and night temperatures vary substantially. Dust storms are common in the plain area
in the months of June, July and August.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Bolan
Area Sq/Km
7499
Altitude
625-1250 m
Temperature
Above 10 oC
35 – 54 oC
Rainfall
175-325
mm
Soil Type
Alluvial stony
Vegetation
acacia, dalbergia, zizyphis, albizzia, azadricha, presepis juliflora, panicum,
antidetals, alhagae camalorum, wild flora and Medicinal Herbs.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Bolan
Cereal Crops, Pulses, vegetables, fodder, Tropical Fruits,
Sugar beat, olive and Oil Crops.
SIBI
Climate
A major part of the district is low lying and falls in the agriculture-ecological
zone-I (sea to 625 m. above sea level) Part of it, the Harnai Tehsil area, lies 2,500 m.
above sea level. The district is one of the hottest areas of the (Indo-Pak).
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Sibi
7796
625 m
above
Above 9-10 ◦c
40 – 54 oC
191-312
Alluvial
stony,loam,clay,silt
Vegetation
Acacia, wild ash, wild berries and various wild shrubs
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Sibi
Cereal Crops, vegetables, fodder tropical fruit, Tropical fruit and
Oil Crops.
JHALL MAGSI
Climate
The climate of the district is dry and hot. From November to mid of March
climatic conditions are very pleasant. The remaining months are hot,
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Jhallmagsi
3615
102 m
0-9
39-45 ◦c
75 mm
Alluvial stony,
loam, silt
Vegetation
Precipice Spicigra (Kandi), Capparis Aphylla (Kirar), Salvadora Olevides
(Khabbar), Sisyphus Ju Ju Ba (Bari), Calotropis Gi Gantea (Ak), Date.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Jhallmagsi
Cereal Crops, vegetables, fodder tropical fruit and Oil Crops.
DERA BUGTI
Climate
The area is hot and dry during summer, while in the winter it is cold and dry.
Temperature statistics are not available.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Dera Bughti
10160
450
22-39 ◦c
138 mm
Silt clay silt
loam sandy
loam
Vegetation
The area does not have much forest plantation. The important vegetation is acacia
and wild shrubs of different kinds.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Dera Bughti
Cereal Crops, vegetables, Pulses, fodder, tropical fruit and Oil
Crops.
JAFFARABAD
Climate
The climate of the district is hot. The weather becomes extremely hot and humid
in summer. The harshness of summer is prolonged over the months of May, June, July,
August, September, and October. It is mildly hot in April. Summer begins from mid
March and lasts to the end of October. In winters the weather is pleasant all over the
district.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km Altitude Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Jaffarabad
2445
102 m
0- 9
39-45 ◦c
75 mm
Loam,silt,loamy
clay
Vegetation
Acacia, Dalbergia, Zizyphis, Albizzia, Azadricha, Sesbania, Presepis Juliflora,
Panicum antidetals, Halexylon spp, Alhagae camalorum.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Jaffarabad
Cereal Crops, rice, pulses, Vegetables, cotton, oil crops and
fodder.
NASIRABAD
Climate
District
Nasirabad
The storms are common in hot weather in summer season.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
3387
102 m
0-9 oC
39-45 ◦c
75 mm
Loam, silt,
loamy clay
Vegetation
Acacia, Dalbergia, Zizyphis, Albizzia, Azadricha, Sesbania, Presepis Juliflora,
Panicum antidetals, Halexylon spp and Alhagae camalorum.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Nasirabad
Cereal Crops, Rice, pulses, oil seed, cotton, oil crops and
fodder.
DESERT DISTRICTS
Districts
Area sq:
km
Altitude
meter
Temperature
◦c
Rainfall
mm
Soil type
Chagai
50545
900 m
1.3—2.4 oC
42.5 oC
104 mm
701 m
1.3-2.4 ◦c
45.5 ◦c
Calcareous
loamy sandy
stony loam,
sandy loam
Clayey
Sandy loam
Kaharan
48051
90-104 mm
2. DESERT ZONE
(Sub-tropical continental Plateau)
with cold winter, very hot summers and very little rain. It includes districts of chaghi,
kharan, and part of District Panjgoor. The climate is dry and hot. Dust storms are
experienced throughout the year. In summer days are hot and nights are cool, while
winter is cold. The annual average rainfall in Kharan is 104 mm measured over the years
1993-95. In this period the average minimum temperature was 2.4 oC in January and the
maximum temperature 42.5 oC in July and it is 700 m above sea level.
CHAGAI
Climate
The climate of the district ranges from extreme hot in summer to severe cold in
winter. The difference between day and night temperatures is considerable and the climatic
conditions vary from area to area.
District
Chagai
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall
50545
Up to 457 m
1.3—2.4 oC
38-42.5 oC
104 mm
Soil Type
Calcareous
loamy sandy
stony loam,
sandy loam
Vegetation
Grasses are Moger (Atriplex Dimorphostegium), Kash (Sacchorum Siliare), Righith
(Suoeda Monica), Shanaluk (Allium Rubellum). Among the bushes Hashwarg (Rhozya
Stricta), Pog (Calegnum Polygonaides) Cotor (Stockcia Brohiuca), Lara (Salsola Kali),
Kandar (Alhogi Camalorum), Barshonk, Karwankush, Narronk (Salsola Arbuscula) and
Tusso (Gaillania Aucheri). Salsola spp: Haloxylon recurvum, wild pistachio, Gaz (Tamarix
Articula) and Taghaz (Haloxylon Amodendron).
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Chagai
Cereal Crops, vegetable, fodder, tropical fruits, Pomegranate,
and cotton.
KHARAN
Climate
The climate of Kharan is dry. Dust storms are common throughout the year.
These storms become very severe during the period of summer from June to September.
During the summer season, days are hot but nights are very pleasant and cool. The winter
is dry and cold.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Kaharan
48051
715 m
1.3-2.4 ◦c
45.5 ◦c
90 - 104
Clay,loam &
silt
Vegetation
Wild fig, tamarix,Willows, wild vine, wild Pistachio,grass and bush “Alony”,
Gaz, Tagaz and Ispaghol.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Cereal Crops, Pulses, vegetables, fodder, nuts, Pomegranate,
Barriers, Stone Fruits & Tropical Fruit,.
COASTAL DISTRICTS
Kaharan
Districts
Area sq:
km
Altitude
meter
Temperature
◦c
Rainfall
mm
Soil type
Lasbella
15153
39-80 m
8.3 – 18.6 ◦c
35-43.3 ◦c
192 – 207.6
mm
Sandy Loam
Silt & Loam
Kech
22539
100-1400 m
12637
0-300 m
100-155
mm
71.3-172.1
mm
Alluvial silt
loamy clayey
Gawadar
10– 21 ◦c
44.8 ◦c
18-190 ◦c
21-320 ◦c
Alluvial soil
and lithosols,
regoso,
pebbles,s and
gravel silt &
sand.
3.
COASTAL ZONE
It has moderate temperature and low rainfall. It include of Lasbella, Gawadar, Kech, and
part of Panjgoor. The climate, soil and crop and fruits of this coastal zone under the
heading of each district are as under:
LASBELLA
Climate
The weather is generally fine. The winter extends from October to January, but in
February and March the climate is moderate. April to September constitute summer.
During the hottest months of May and June.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Lasbella
15153
39-80 m
35-43.3 ◦c
8.3 – 18.6
192 –
207.6
mm
Sandy, loamy
& silt
Vegetation
euphoriba, nerifolia caragana polyacanthea, convolvulus spinosus, fagonia
arabica, acacia rupestria, astragali, Cappains aphylla, salsoa (leafless), fan palm, tamansk
(kirri) and mangrove swamps.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Lasbella
Cereal Crops, fodder, pulses, all kinds of vegetables, Oil crops
(Castor, Seasmum, & oil palm, coconut), tropical fruits and
celicornia.
KECH
Climate
The climate is dry arid hot. It is placed in “hot summer and mild winter”
temperature region. Summer is not only hot but also long. It continues from March
through November (9 months) while winter starts in December and continues till
February (3 months). June is the hottest month and January the coldest.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Area Sq/Km
Altitude
Temperature
Rainfall Soil Type
Kech
22539
100-1400 m
44.8 ◦c below
10 ◦c – 210 ◦c
100-155
mm
Alluvial silt
loamy clay
Vegetation
barshonk, sorag, drug, kandar, kahur (prosopis spicigera), gazz (tamarix galica),
Medicinal Plant aishak, lantoo, danichk (Ispaghol), shrish are also found in the area.
chigird, kabarr, babbur, kharak, chish, kahsh, gwanick, gunsh and dwarf Plan.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Kech
Cereal Crops, pulses. Vegetables, fodder & Tropical Fruits.
GAWADAR
Climate
The climate of Gawadar is dry arid hot. It is placed in “warm summer and mild
winter” temperature region. The oceanic influence keeps the temperature lower than that
in the interior in summer and higher in winter.
Rainfall, Temperature, Altitude and Soil Type
District
Gawadar
Area Sq/Km
12637
Altitude
0-300 m
Temperature
18-190 ◦c
Rainfall
Soil Type
71.3-172.1 Alluvial soil and
21-320 ◦c
lithosols, regoso
is pebbles,s
gravel, silt, loam
& sand.
Vegetation
Grass, chish (acacia), chigird, kahur (prosopis spicigera), gazz (tamarix galica),
pish (nannorhops ritchieana), sone Medicenal Plant like included aishak, guldir,
morpuzo, danichk (Ispaghol), keraich and udesh.
Major Crop of the District
Name of District
Crops
Gawadar
Cereal Crops, pulses. Vegetables, Tropical & Fruits.
REFERENCES:
 Government of Pakistan 1962 District Census Report of Chagai, Islamabad:
Population Census Organization.
 Government of Pakistan 1972 District Census Report of Chagai, Islamabad:
Population Census Organization.
 Government of Pakistan 1981 District Census Report of Chagai, Islamabad:
Population Census Organisation 1983.
 Government of Balochistan - Agricultural Statistics of Balochistan 1994-95, Quetta
Statistical Wing, Directorate General of Agriculture Department, Government of
Balochistan.
 Government of Pakistan, 1990 Census of Agriculture: Balochistan Vol-II. Part 4
Lahore: Economic Affairs and Statistics Division, Agricultural Census Organization,
Government of Pakistan 1994.
 Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Census of Livestock 1976: Final Report Lahore
Statistics Division, Agricultural Census Organization Government of Pakistan.
 Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Census of Livestock 1986: Vol-II Part -4 Lahore
Statistics Division, Agricultural Census Organization, Government of Pakistan.
 The Gazetteer of Balochistan: Chagai, Quetta: Gosha-e-Adab, 1986.
 Environmental Profile of Balochistan by Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI).
 Brief on Progress of work on Saindak Copper Gold Project by Government of
Pakistan, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, 1996.
 An analysis of the situation of women and children in Balochistan UNICEF Quetta
and Government of Balochistan, 1995.
 Brief on Saindak Copper Gold Project by Resource Development Corporation,
Quetta.
 Geological Survey of Pakistan, Mineral Resources of Balochistan.
 S.Sajid Hussain Gilani and Javad Ahmed Khan, District Profile Chagai, 1993.
 Syed M. Arif, Agricultural Economy of Balochistan Quetta 1991.
 Shah Mahmood Ali, Sardari Jirga and Local Government Systems in Balochistan,
Quetta, Qasim Printer, 1992.