Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar 4.55

DISTRICT THARPARKAR
comprising of 7 Talukas i.e. Mithi, Islamkot, Chachro, Dahli, Diplo, Kaloi & Nagarparkar having population of 1299725 souls approximately is spread over an area of 4,791,024 acres (22000 square kilometers). This District with present boundary has come into existence on 02-12-1990 as Thar. Prior to this, the present geographical area was a sub-division of old District Tharparkar (Mirpurkhas) it was bifurcated into 2 Districts i.e. Mirpurkhas & Thar @ Mithi. The name of present district was re-notified as “Tharparkar” on 19-10-1993. The Headquarter of this district “Mithi” which is situated at a distance of 150 Kms in South/East of Mirpurkhas. It is situated in 24-26 North latitude and 69-51 East Longitude. The boundaries of this district are as under:

North: Mirpurkhas & Umerkot districts
East: Barmer & Jessalmer districts of India
West: District Badin
South: Runn of Kuchh

95% of entire population depends on cultivation and cattle, while remaining in small business, like Shopkeepers and Manufacturing handmade Carpets. The entire huge area of this district is desert (expect small portion on 65636 acres as barrage area). There is only one crop in whole year in desert area, which also depends on seasonal rains. Rain is expected in June, July and August when sowing season commences for maturity of crops, other 2-3 rains are needed, else crops will dry and of no use consistently people of this area confronting menace of drought almost after every one or two years. In event of no rains, lands are barren. People and cattle face starving situation and start migration with their cattle to other districts, to earn their livelihood.

There are 5397472 cattle heads (approximately), which number is biggest out of all districts in Sindh. In event of sufficient rains, this desert depicts classic, green and beautiful look, then everyone is happy. People from various places come over particularly in Nagarparkar, which place is worth to stay and live.

The socio-economic condition of this district solely depends on seasonal rains. The rains are expected in the 2nd week of June up to 15th August, which are a lone beneficial for sowing purpose. Further 2-3 more rains are require at some interval which are essentially required for maturity of crops. But in absence of seasonal rains, the poverty is the fate of the people of the area.

Mostly during heavy rains/floods, the barrage dehs and low lying areas specially Siran Colony Mithi, Naukot (Santoro Farm), Deh Wasaipoto, Diplo town, Deh Dodharo, Phant Kharak & Uthdeho are affected the people residing in the low lying areas are shifted to safer places, where ration & rescue and medical coverage is provided to them, till the rainy season is over as per practice of last so many rainy/flood seasons.

There is no possibility of flood as neither ”Indus River” touches, nor big canal passes through this district, only one “Runn Distry” passes from barrage area of Taluka Mithi & Diplo, for which irrigation authorities shall keep vigilance over the distry and inform the administration about any mishap/break of bunds, Dhoro Puran and LBOD in case of heavy rain.

All the Officers /Officials of related departments shall be appraised at the time of need to take precautionary measures in advance and keep strict watch over the situation and extend full cooperation with each other, Irrigation department and District Administration so that there should be no case on any mishap.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

It was in 1843, when Sir Charles Napier became victor of Sindh and this part was merged into Kuchh political agency in Hyderabad collectorate later on in 1858, the entire area became part of Hyderabad. Subsequently in 1860, it was renamed as “Eastern Sindh Frontier” with its headquarter Umerkot controlled by Political Superintendent. In 1882, it was renamed as district and its administrative head was Deputy Commissioner. Lastly in 1906, headquarter of the district was shifted from Umerkot to Mirpurkhas. Finally, this district was created in 1990. This district is specially named according to geographical conditions, i.e. “Thar & Parkar”. “Thar” means desert while “Parkar” is rocky & hilly park.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

There is no stream/river in the district. However in Nagarparkar, there are two perennial springs namely “Anchlesar & Sardhro” as well as temporary streams called “Bhatyani & Gordhro Rivers” which flows during the rainy season at the Northern and Southern side of Nagarparkar town.

There are some hilly tracks called”Karoonjhar”. The Granite Marble has been found there. “Karoonjhar Mountain” is near to Nagarparkar and Karoonjhar hills are circularly surrounding the Nagarparkar for 24 Kms in between Nagarparkar & Adhigam.

There is no lake, Glacier, plains etc in the district.

Mostly this district is desert area.

Tharparkar district is located at the extreme South-East corner of the province. It is one of the poorest and under developed district in Sindh. It is flanked by Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts, the most prosperous on its Northern side, on the West by Badin district, on the East by Barmer & Jaisalmer districts of India and on the South of Runn of Kuchh. This district is approximately 250 kms across having in area of 22000 sq: Kms. The district is divided into three ecological zones, the South Eastern is hilly rich in mineral deposits, the central area is Thar which is sandy dunes and on the western side (very small portion) of barrage area and fertile. During summer, climate is hot and dry while winter is somewhat mild. The rain fall varies from year to year. Most of the rain fall in monsoon period between June & September and the winter rains are in significant.

TOPOGRAPHY

The Thar region forms part of the bigger desert of the same name that sprawl over a vast area of Pakistan & India from Cholistan to Nagarparkar in Pakistan and from the south of the Haryana down to Rajistan in India.

This district is mostly deserted and consists of barren tract of the sand dunes covered with thorny bushes. The ridges are irregular and roughly paralleled that thy often closed shattered valleys which they raise to a height to some 46 meters. When there is rain these valleys are moist enough admit cultivation and when not cultivated they yield luxuriant crops of rank grass. But the extra ordinary salinity of the subsoil land consequent shortage of potable water renders many tracks quite picturesque salt lakes which rarely a day up.

The only hills a Nagarparkar, on the Northern edge of the Runn of Kuchh belongs to quite a different geological series. It consist Granite rocks. Probably, an outlying mass of the crystalline rocks of the Aravalli range. The Aravalli series belongs to Archean system which constitutes the oldest rocks of the earth crust. This is a small area quite different from the desert. The tack is flat a level expect close to Nagarparkar itself. The principle range Karoonjhar is 19 Kms in length and attains a height of 305 meters. Smaller hills rise in the east, which is covered with Sars jungle and pasturage and gives rise to two springs named Anchlesar & Sardhro as well as temporary streams called Bhatyani & Gordhro after the rain.

MAJOR CROPS

There are plenty rains in desert, Bajra, Gowar, Moong, Juwar crops grow in abundance. In the Parkar area, even Wheat grown on rain soaked lands. Vegetables & Fruits are also growing on wells at “Kasbo” in Taluka Nagarparkar, Castor oil seed grow in Parkar area. While in Barrage area, Sugar Cane & Wheat is main crop.

ECONOMY:

Tharparkar is arid area, there is no water for cultivation, and hence people depend on monsoon rains. Main economy of the people depend cattle breeding, when there are no rains, human being and cattle both begin to pie and strive. When there are plenty rains in desert, Bajra, Gowar, Moong, Juwar crops grow in abundance. In the Parkar area, even Wheat grown on rain soaked lands. Vegetables & Fruits are also growing on wells at “Kasbo” in Taluka Nagarparkar, Castor oil seed grow in Parkar area. Small number of industries (Carpet Centre & Salt lakes) is located in Diplo & Mithi Talukas. While in Barrage area, Sugar Cane & Wheat is main crop. District Tharparkar severely have adequate facilities of communication mainly roads. Cane & Wheat are main crops. In the whole district, mateled road is about 1200 Kms. Transportation depends on 4 wheel drive vehicles or on back of animal and foot in desert/katcha area/tracks.

TRADE OF COMMERCE

1. Handicrafts 2. Wood Works 3. Sheep Wool 4. Carpets 5. Shawls
ECOLOGY

WILD LIFE
No such area is earmarked for the purpose, but hunting area is in Taluka Nagarparkar. The famous bird Taloor, Quails, Houbara Bustard, Deer, Neel Gai and other are available in the district.