Hingol National Park

Covering about 610,043 ha, Hingol National Park, the largest National Park in Pakistan, lies on the Makran coast approximately 190 km from Karachi. The area was for the first time declared reserved in 1988. The park area covers parts of the three districts, namely; Lasbela, Gawader and Owaran of Baluchistan province containing a variety of topographical features and vegetation, varying from arid sub tropical forest in the north to arid montane in the west. Large tracts of the NP are covered with drift sand and can be classified as coastal semi desert. The National Park includes the estuary of the Hingol river which supports a significant diversity of bird and fish species. Currently, 20 staff members including 18 game watchers, two deputy rangers are responsible for the management of the Park under the guidance of the park Manager who reports to the Conservator and the Secretary Wildlife, Forest, Livestock, Environment and Tourism.Although no detailed inventories of wildlife have been undertaken, Hingol is known to support threatened invertebrates in addition to a variety of bird species. One reliable source informed that the park has been an excellent habitat to wild animals including over 3000 ibexes, and 1500 Urials and more than 1200 Chinkara, besides number of resident and migratory birds. The Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata), Dalmatian and Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) are regular visitors to the area. 

The River Hingol has been nurturing crocodiles for centuries. The Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and Green Marine Turtles (Cheloniamydas),  endemic and threatened species of fish, such as the Mahasheer occur and schools of Plumbeous Dolphins (Sousa plumbea) are known from close in-shoreareas.

Mammals in the park include——–Sindh leopard (T), Indian Fox (R), Jungle cat (C), Jackal (C), Sind Wildgoat (V), Blandford’s Urial (T), Chinkara Gazelle (T), Honey Badger (R), Indian Pangolin (R), Hedgehog (C), Porcupine (C), Indian Grey Mongoose (C), Cairo Spiny mouse (?) and the Rock Mouse (C).