District
Status notification : 2005.
Formerly part of district Kharan
Geographical
Area: 33, 093 Sq. km (3rd largest
district in Balochistan)
Geographical
Points: 62
48'28” – 65 58'35” East Longitudes,
26 04'25.5” – 28 39'57.5” North Longitudes
Elevation: 625-1,250
meters above sea level
Distance: 1,020 km (aerial
distance) at south-west and 234 degrees bearing of Islamabad
350 km at south-west 218 degrees bearing
from Quetta City,
the provincial capital
of Balochistan.
Climate: Mainly dry; in summer
very hot during day and pleasant at night. Dust storms “Livar” are common
throughout the year especially during June–September.
Maximum temperature crosses 40 Celsius in summer.
Topography: Comprised
of sand dunes and ridges of hills and mountains. The ridges sweep in south-west
to north-east and which are separated by lower valleys.
Administrative
Units: 3
Tehsils (Mashkel, Basima, Washuk)
9
Union Councils (Ladgasht, Sotgan, Palantak,Shinger, Nag, Soldan, Basima,
Jangian, Garang)
Major
Ethnic Group:
Baloch
Main tribes: Rakhshani,
Essazai, Muhammad Hasni, Peerakzai, Nausherwani, Siapad, Kubdani, Mulazai and
Mazzai.
Languages:
Balochi, Brahvi
Famous Personalities: Mir Abdul Khaliq
Baloch, Haji Shah Saleem Riki, Doctor Sardar Mohammad Hussain, Haji Qadir
Bakhsh, Sardar Wali Mohammad Riki, Molvi Nazeer Ahmed, Haji Mohammad Kareem,
Ali Jan Saqib, Saifuddin Essazai, Mir Dost Mohammad Mohammadhasani, Malik Umer.
Major
Mineral deposits: Chromite, Manganese, Copper,
Antimony
Major
Mineral Production: Chromite: 1 M tons (2008-09)
Roads’
Length: Blacktopped: 235 KM, Shingle: 495
KM
Post
Office: Three post offices: one each at
Washuk, Besima and Mashkel.
Courier
Services: No service
Banks: No bank
Demography
(according to 1998 census)
District
Population: 90,368
Total, 47,821 Male, 42,547 Female
Population
Annual Growth Rate: 3.06%
Household
Size:
5.3
Housing
Units:
20,384
Law
& Order: 2 Thanas, 2 Qazi Courts, No Jail
Veterinary Institutions: 13 civil veterinary
dispensaries, no civil veterinary hospital or artificial insemination center
Health Facilities: 1 Hospital (Public
Sector), 1 RHCs, 19 BHUs, 15 CDs, 1 MCH centers, 1 Private hospital
Health Facilities Staff: 7 Doctors, 1female
lady doctor, 2 Nurses, 284 Para-medical staff
Education
Literacy: 25%
Number
of Govt Schools: Primary: 141, Middle: 12, High: 7
Number
of Private Schools: 03 (All in Tehseel Basima)
Number
of Colleges: 1
college (Govt Inter College Basima)
Technical
college, University: No
Rabi Crops: Wheat,
barley, cumin, lentil (masoor), vegetables, fodder and sunflower.
Kharif Crops: Sorghum
(Jowar), millet (bajra), maize, mung bean, mash bean, fruits, onion,
vegetables, melons, chilies, fodder and cotton.
Fruits: Dates, Apple,
Grapes, Almond, Apricot, Peach, Plum, Pear, Pomegranate, Citrus, Chickoo.
Wild Life Mammals: Sindh Ibex, Wild
Sheep, Desert Fox, Asiatic Jackal, Cape Hare, Porcupine, Afghan Hedgehog etc.
The area is also the habitat of threatened Desert Deer, Goitered Gazelle, Honey
adger, etc.
Major Diseases in Animals: Lung-Worm-Infestation,
Wire-Worm-Infestation, Liver Fluke, Mange/Mites, Ticks,
Birds: Houbara
Bustard (Chlamydotis undulate), See-see Partridge, a
number of Sparrows,
Finches, Buntings, Seasonal/migratory Waterfowls, Hawks, and
Sand grouse etc.
Reptiles: Turkestan Rock Gecko,
Sharp-tailed Spider, Lumsdeni Gecko, Whip-tailed Sand Gecko,
Baloch Spiny-tailed Lizard,
Mountain Dwarf Gecko,
Short-toed Sand Swimmer,
Easter Dwarf Skink,
Indian Desert Monitor, Reticulate
Desert Lacerta, Chagai Desert Lacert, Dark-headed Dwarf Racer, Tartary Sand
Boa, Spotted Desert Racer, Dark-headed Gamma Snake, Maynard's Awl-headed Snake,
Afghan Tortoise, Indian Cobra, Leaf Nose Viper, and
Lizards like Agamura femoralis,
etc.
References:
·
District
Washuk Development Profile (Prepared by Planning & Development Department,
Government of Balochistan in Collaboration with UNICEF Provincial Office
Balochistan, Quetta)
·
Agriculture
Statistics 2008-09
·
Local
Government, Balochistan, 2005
·
Google
Earth
·
www.balochistan.gov.pk
