Kirthar National Park Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Kirthar National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
View of the Kirthar Park
Kirthar National Park Location in Pakistan
Location	Karachi and Jamshoro District in Sindh, Pakistan
Area	3,087 km² (1,192 sq mi)
Established	1974
Governing body	Wildlife and Parks Department of Government of Pakistan

The Kirthar National Park (also called Khirthar National Park) is a huge and important protected area in Pakistan. It's found in the Kirthar Mountains in the Sindh province, near the cities of Karachi and Jamshoro District. This park was created in 1974 and covers a massive area of about 3,087 square kilometers. It's one of the biggest national parks in Pakistan!

This park is a wild and rugged place in the southwest of Sindh. It's home to the historic Ranikot Fort. The land here looks like an endless desert with rocky hills and twisted, stony valleys. It's a special home for many different kinds of mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Amazing Animals of Kirthar National Park
- What Animals Live Here?
- Helping Animals Grow
History of Kirthar National Park
- How the Park Was Created
- A Park on the World Stage
Exploring Kirthar National Park
- Visitor Centers and Activities
- Getting Around and Staying Over
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Amazing Animals of Kirthar National Park

What Animals Live Here?

Kirthar National Park is a dry, rugged place, but it's full of amazing wildlife. You can find animals like Indian leopards, striped hyenas, and Indian wolves. There are also ratels, urials (a type of wild sheep), and chinkara gazelles. One very special animal here is the rare Sind wild goat.

Helping Animals Grow

The park also has a special project to help blackbuck antelopes. These beautiful antelopes are kept in special areas. This helps them grow in number so they can be released back into the wild. It's a way to make sure these animals have a safe future.

History of Kirthar National Park

How the Park Was Created

Before Pakistan became independent in 1947, this part of the Kirthar Mountains was used for hunting. But things changed over time! In 1965, the Forest Department did some research. Because of this research, the area was first called a game reserve in 1970. This meant hunting was controlled.

Later, in 1972, it became a wildlife sanctuary. This gave even more protection to the animals. Finally, in 1974, it was officially made a National Park. This was a big step!

A Park on the World Stage

Kirthar National Park was the first park in Pakistan to be added to the United Nations' list of national parks. This happened in 1975. It means the park is recognized around the world for its importance. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) also calls it a Category II area. This shows it's a very important protected place.

Exploring Kirthar National Park

Visitor Centers and Activities

The Sindh Wildlife Department runs two visitor centers in Kirthar National Park. These are great places to start your adventure! The main center is in Karchat, right in the middle of the park. The other one is in Khar, close to Hub Dam, just north of Karachi.

The area around the Karchat center is very popular. It's more mountainous and a fantastic spot for watching wildlife. You can also find many old archaeological sites there. The Khar side is great for bird watchers. The nearby Hub Dam Wildlife Sanctuary is a key home for birds that migrate there in winter. It also has many reptiles.

Getting Around and Staying Over

To explore the park, you'll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle. This helps you get through the rugged terrain. If you want to stay longer, there are two rest houses available for tourists. These are also managed by the Sindh Wildlife Department. Kirthar Park offers amazing landscapes. It's a place rich in natural beauty and cultural history.