Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park

The name Hazarganji, "of a thousand treasures", comes from the old route through these mountains, a passage used by Greco-Bactrians, Scythians, Mongols and migrating Baloch tribes, and the park was created in 1980 mainly to save one animal: the Chiltan markhor, a wild goat whose entire world range is these mountains and which had fallen to a few hundred individuals. Protection has helped, though numbers remain small and the animals are shy, keeping to the high crags and best looked for early with binoculars. The landscape is limestone and gravel, almost treeless, with wild olive, pistachio, almond and juniper surviving in the gullies, and the flora list includes species of interest well beyond the region. Straight-horned markhor, urial, wolves and striped hyena are also present. Facilities amount to a small visitor area and tracks, and most visits are half-day trips from Quetta.

History

The park was established in 1980 to protect the rare Chiltan wild goat. Its name, Hazarganji, "of a thousand treasures", belongs to the old route between the mountains, a passage used over the centuries by Greco-Bactrians, Mongols, Scythians and migrating Baloch tribes (Wikipedia, Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park).

What's there

• Chiltan markhor - the endemic wild goat, on high crags at dawn and dusk.
• Wild fruit and nut trees - pistachio, almond and olive in the gullies.
• Limestone ridges - bare mountain country with deep valleys.
• Urial and other wildlife - wild sheep and, rarely, predators.

When to go

Spring and autumn are best for both temperature and animal activity; summer is very hot and winter can be bitter with snow on the ridges. Dawn is when markhor are most likely to be visible. A guide from the wildlife department improves the chances considerably.

Practical notes

Markhor sightings are difficult and far from guaranteed; bring binoculars and patience, or expect to see the landscape rather than the animal. Facilities are minimal with no lodges. Tracks require a suitable vehicle. Travel arrangements around Quetta should be confirmed locally.

Nearby

Quetta is northeast; Hanna Lake and the Urak valley lie on the other side of the city.

Key facts