Awaran (Balochistan)
Awaran is situated in the south of the Balochistan Province and is located at the distance of 725 km from Quetta city. It is accessible via Khuzdar on RCD Highway N-25 and Ratodero-Gwadar Motorway M-8, then turn on the Bela-Hoshab from Hoshab town to access Awaran district.
Awaran has boundaries with Gwadar, Lasbela, Kech, Panjgur, Khuzdar, and Kharan districts. The Makran Coastal Highway N-10 just touches the district on its south side. The Bela-Hoshab Road is main road that runs across the center of the town, which also linked with the Ratodero-Gwadar Motorway M-8.
Its old name was Kolwa. Due to the land structure of the district, there is no proper infrastructure there and it is one of the poorest district in the Balochistan. There is no railway station in the district. The main profession of the people of the district is farming and agriculture.
Awaran geographically contains mountainous ridges and valleys. The Siahan range is the main mountain range that runs throughout the northern boundary of the district between Siahan valley and Panjgur district. The height of mountains in the range are between 3.000 and 4.500 meters above sea level. The Hingol River is the main river and source of water in the district. The Boddo River and other tributaries are main source of water in the Hingol River. The land of district is fertile, if water is available. But due to lack of water, most of its land is barren. Seasonal streams, rain water, and tube wells are common source of irrigation in the district. There is no forests in the district, scattered trees can be observed in which date and palm trees are common.
Awaran is famous for its oasis of dates which produce more than 15,000 tons per annum. Along the dates, there are fruit orchards of various other kind of fruits. Wheat and Barlay are other main crops of the district.
Hingol National Park is the largest national park in Pakistan, and situated near Sapat Beach in the Makran Coastal region. It lies in three districts, Gwadar, Awaran, and Lasbela and covered an area of 6,100 square kilometers. It was established as national park in 1988. Its name is due to the Hingol River that finally ends in the Arabian Sea. It has six distinct ecosystems with deserts and plains. It was bounded by a dense forest to the north side with a barren mountain range to the south, and the Hangul River and its tributaries. The Hingol River and its tributaries are homeland for migratory birds and marsh crocodiles. It has a unique rock formation that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the country.
The weather of Awaran is hot and dry in summer season, whereas winters become cool and pleasant. Due to heavy air flow, dust storms are normally occurred throughout the year. It receives limited amount of rainfalls in the winter season due to sea breeze.