Top 5 Famous Deserts of Pakistan
When it comes to scenic, breathtaking and natural views, Pakistan is on the top list. Pakistan is rich in mountain ranges, amazing hill stations, and tourism gems. Recently Pakistan is credited with the World’s top Tourism Place in 2020. From the total land of Pakistan, 10% of the land is covered with drylands that are usually called deserts. Deserts are spread all around the country region with different features. Deserts in Pakistan are known for their uniqueness and different features from each other. If you love tourism read our blogs on beautiful hill stations in Pakistan and if you are looking to read about deserts in Pakistan, then you are at the right place. In this blog, we will examine the mysterious deserts of Pakistan and talk about how many deserts in Pakistan?
Pakistan has four major deserts with a historical background. The names of deserts in Pakistan are listed below.
List of 5 Famous Deserts of Pakistan:
| Name | Total Area | Location | Highest Temperature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Thar Desert | 30,000 km sq | Sindh Province of Pakistan | 45-50°C | |
| 2. Kharan Desert | 20,000 km sq | Washuk Tehsil, Balochistan | 42°C | |
| 3. Thal Desert | 20000 km sq | Jhelum city of Punjab | 44°C | |
| 4. Cholistan Desert | 25,800 km sq | Bahawalpur | 50°C | |
| 5. Katpana Desert (Cold Desert) | ————— | District Skardu, Gilgit−Baltistan | 27 °C (81 °F) |
1. The Thar Desert
The Thar Desert is one of the largest desert of Pakistan. It has a total area of 200,000 square kilometers that covers the major areas of Pakistan and India. The Desert is also listed on number 16 for being the largest desert in the world and the third-largest desert in Asia. The desert covers 15% area in Pakistan and the rest of the 85% area in India. In Pakistan, it covers a total area of 30,000 km2 (12,000 sq mi) of the desert. And in India, it covers 170,000 km2 (66,000 sq mi) of the desert. You can also read about dams in Pakistan.
In Pakistan, the desert is spread in a province of Pakistan named “Sindh”. In India, the desert extends to the Indian state of Rajasthan, the states of Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. Furthermore, there are saltwater lakes in the Thar Desert including Kharaghoda in Gujarat, and Kuchaman, Didwana, Pachpadra, Sambhar in Rajasthan. The desert has almost 30 million population which makes the desert the most populated desert. These are the reasons why it is also known as the “Friday Desert”. The inhabitants of the deserts mostly belong to rural areas and follow Hinduism and Islam. Most of the population adopt the occupation of mushroom farming and agriculture. The people of the desert celebrate different festivals that are organized by the locals of the desert. At the festival, there are also snake charmers, puppeteers, and acrobat performances. The Thar Desert is considered to be one of the largest deserts on Pakistan map. Read about historical places in Pakistan.
Furthermore, the desert in Pakistan is open to visit everywhere part of it, but some restricted areas are where folks are not allowed to visit to keep the balance of nature. In those areas, there are many endangered plants and animals.
Restricted Areas
- The Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary located in Mirpurkhas District home to the largest population of the endangered mugger crocodile in Pakistan.
- The Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary located in Badin District is restricted to visit as there are 30 species of mammals, 112 bird species, 20 reptiles, and 22 important plant species.
2. Kharan Desert
The Kharan Desert of Pakistan is a sandy and mountainous desert that is located in the southwest of the Balochistan province of Pakistan. The desert is famous among people because of its arid climate. The desert serves as a section of Pakistan’s second nuclear test on 30 May 1998.
The occupation adopted by the people of the desert is agriculture and farming.
The Kharan Desert of Pakistan contains a total area of 20,000 sq km with a population of 0.23 million. The Desert is encircled by 3000 meter high mountains and hills.
It is said the famous Alexander crossed this desert in the fourth century BC by entering the region from Khyber Pass after defeating the kings of the Porus. This is the reason why the Kharan Desert of Pakistan is known as one of the most largest deserts of Pakistan. Read more about mountain ranges in Pakistan.
Ranging from 1000 m in the north-east to 500 m in the west the climate of the Kharan desert is different form the Baluchistan harsh and dry climate conditions due to its sandy nature and even topography.
3. The Thal Desert
The Thal Desert is the third-largest desert of Pakistan. It is located in Punjab, the province of Pakistan. In Punjab, it is situated between Jhelum and Sindh rivers covering districts of Bhakkar, Layyah, Khushab, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh as well as Jhang. The Desert had a total area of 20000 km square. The major area, 50% to 60%, of the Thal desert is covered with dunes. Due to the hot and dry climate, the process of plantation is not possible in the desert of thal. However, it is suitable for the plantation of a few species of drought-resistant grass, shrubs, and trees. The locals of the desert use Thal Chanal to get water. In June maximum temperature gets high as 44°C and as low as 0°C, and the average rainfall in the region is 277mm per year.
The Thal desert is not like other biggest desert in Pakistan largest desert in Pakistan, it’s all covered with green grass, shrubs, and trees in February and March. The local farmers of the desert use the land of the desert for the farming of green chickpeas also named hara choliyan in the local language. The languages of the inhabitants of the Thal Desert are Urdu, Saraiki, and Thalochi, and a dialect of the Punjabi Language.
One of the major highlighted factors of the Thal Desert is the Greater Thal Canal. This Canal contains a worth of multi million-rupee. This Canal was inaugurated for the distribution of water, farming, and agriculture in the rural areas of the Thal desert. Also, visit our blog on the best insurance companies in Pakistan.
4. The Cholistan Desert
The Cholistan desert of Pakistan also called Rohi Desert is located in Bahawalpur, one of the large cities of Punjab the province of Pakistan. The desert is called Cholistan because 81% of the desert is sandy. The word Cholistan means land of sands derived from the Turkic languages.
The desert has a total area of 25,800 km2 (10,000 sq mi) making a position on the list as Pakistan largest desert. In the past, the desert was a resourceful region because it was getting water from the Himalayan range from different waterfalls in Pakistan. But later on, the desert converted itself as a hub of semi-nomadic people that became a way of establishment of forts.
The Cholistan Desert of Pakistan covers three districts of Punjab in its area including Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan.
The average temperature in the Cholistan Desert is 28.33 °C, and it reaches to an average of 38.5 °C in the hottest month of July. Sometimes, the temperature hikes to 50 °C during drought periods.
Cholistan desert is well known because of its local and handmade products including wool, cotton, silver, and gold produced jewelry items, and handwoven blankets. Cholistani Khussas is one of the most famous handcrafted items of this desert. The majority of the semi-nomadic people gain resources from livestock by breeding animals to sell. The Cholistan desert of Pakistan had a lot of unique birds and animals including wolves (rare), Red fox, Peregrine falcon, cobra, Saw viper, Russell’s viper, Jackal, Indian mongoose, and Forest cat. Derawar fort gives a presence of history to the Cholistan desert. You can also read about northern areas of Pakistan.
5. Katpana Desert (Cold Desert)
Katpana Desert also named “Cold Desert” is situated in Skardu District northern side of Gilgit Baltistan. It’s a high-altitude desert that contains a large number of dunes of sand, covered with snow in winter. Globally, Katpana deserts take a place to be one of the highest deserts, with an unbelievable altitude of 2,226 meters (7,303 ft) above sea level. At night, this desert gives a mesmerizing, stunning, and magnificent sandy view that converts it into a majestic place to visit. Tourism companies in Pakistan offer special packages for this place.
Katpana Desert’s large area is observed in Skardu and Shigar Valley. A large number of tourists visit this desert every year. The specific area of desert which is most of the time visited by the tourists is located near the Skardu, airport. Its temperature ranges from minimum 8 °C (46 °F), and a maximum of 27 °C (81 °F). Furthermore, in December and January, it can drop to below −17 °C (1 °F). Also check out our blog on historical places in Islamabad.
Conclusion:
Pakistan is rich in natural and scenic views and is known for its history and natural beauty. Largest Desert in Pakistan take a major part to enhance the beauty of Pakistan. In this article, we have mentioned above the most famous names of deserts in Pakistan. The summer season of the holidays is coming to your door. Here we have a guide for some historical and Famous Places to visit in Peshawar.
Faqs:
How many deserts are in Pakistan?
There are 5 major deserts in Pakistan. They are: Thar, Thal, Kharan, Chulistan, and Katpana Deserts.
Which is the 2nd largest desert of Pakistan?
Kharan Desert is the 2nd largest desert of Pakistan.
Which desert is found in Punjab?
Punjab deserts of Pakistan are Thal and Cholistan Deserts.
What is Thar Desert called in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, the Thar Desert is commonly known as the “Cholistan Desert”.
Read more related blogs:
