District Washuk in Facts and Figures

District Status notification :                   2005. Formerly part of district Kharan

Geographical Area:                              33, 093 Sq. km (3^rd 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