Hingol National Park or Hingol National Park is the largest national park in Pakistan, located in the Makran coastal region. The park covers an area of about 6,100 square kilometres (2,400 sq mi) and is located 190 km from Karachi in the three districts of Gwadar, Lasbela and Awaran in Balochistan. Hingol was declared a national park in 1988. The park is named after the southern part of the Hangul River which flows along the shores of the Arabian Sea and is home to large numbers of waterfowl and a wealth of marine life. Hangul National Park contains six distinct ecosystems as well as both desert and plains regions, making it unique among the national parks of Pakistan. The park is bordered by a dense forest to the north, a barren mountain range to the south, and the Hangul River tributary, which is home to thousands of migratory birds and marsh crocodiles.
The Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea are also to the south.The park’s unique rock formations have been attracting tourists from all over the country for some time - notably since the completion of the Makran Coastal Highway in 2004.Wildlife
Hangul National Park is a natural sanctuary for endangered wildlife in Pakistan. It is home to about 257 plant and 289 animal species, including 35 mammals, aquatic animals, amphibians, reptiles and migratory birds, including hundreds of rare species. Marsh crocodiles are regularly spotted on the coastline adjacent to Hangul National Park, and there are an estimated 60 crocodiles in various places. The Hingol Bay is home to a large number of other aquatic life including Indo-Pacific dolphins and green & olive turtles, and various rare species of fish and turtles live in the coastal areas adjacent to Hangul National Park. These turtles come to the beach every night in August to lay their eggs at night. Increasing plastic pollution on the shores made it difficult for them to dig, so the female turtles left without laying eggs. Since then, the number of these turtles on the shores of Sindh and Balochistan has dropped significantly.
Whether you are travelling from any city in Pakistan or from outside the country, you will need to get to Karachi first to go to Hingol National Park. Located at a distance of 243 kilometers from Karachi, it will take you around 3.5 hours to reach the park if you are travelling by car via Makran Coastal Highway (N-25).
Pakistan is home to many unusual wildlife species, some of which are found in Hingol National Park. Counted among the most significant wildlife sanctuaries, the area is home to over 200 species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Some of the most popular wildlife species found in this natural reserve of Balochistan are Sindh Ibex, Golden Jackal, Sindh Leopard, Balochistan Urial, Pakistan Sand Cat, Indian Fox, Marsh Crocodile, Green Sea Turtle, Dalmatian Pelican, Egyptian Vulture, and Golden Eagle.
Since the region is a coastal desert, the climate of Hingol National Park mostly stays hot throughout the year, either dry or humid. The area is mostly barren, so the weather in the winter season can be bitterly cold. So, people travelling to this national park in Balochistan are advised to take apparel according to the running weather season along with them.
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