District Washuk

Profile

Washuk district created in new district since 04^th June,2005 bifurcation in Kharan District  has a very rare reference in the history. Now District Washuk consists of three Sub-Divisions, Washuk,Mashkel & Basima. The boundary of the district meets Kharan district in the North, Panjgur in South, Kalat District and Iran Border pass in the East and Chaghi, Kharan and Panjgur districts in West. The total area of Kalat district is about 39093 square kilometers.

VOTERS

Total Population    1,76,206

Total Voters            53,156

Male Voters            28,654

Female Voters         24,502

Physical Features and Topography

The district is characterized as mountainous consisting of a series of parallel mountain ranges running in the north-west direction. Some valleys are of considerable extent, which lie at an elevation varying from 1525 to meters above sea level. The main valleys are the valleys of Basima and Nag in the western part of Washuk district. The boundary with Khuzdar runs along the southern slopes of the Kharan pass including the southern spurs of the Panjgur north-west of Chaghi and then across the Tehlagan valley into the Harboi lib.

Rivers and streams

There are no perennial rivers in the district but seasonal rivers /streams are in large number. The main seasonal rivers are Moreover passing through Shageri towards Kharan District  and Kaman Rode river, which rises from Surab District under which name it eventually falls into the Kharan Bado.

Climate

The general climatic features of the area are arid with temperate summer and very hot winter. In June /July maximum temperate ranges from 45 to 48 degree centigrade, whereas in December and January the temperature drops to -18 degree centigrade. Most of the rainfall and snowfall are recorded in the winter season. The spring season of Washuk and the summer season attract the attention of the seasonal migratory people who, in large number, take refuge in the area to avoid scorching sun.

Flora

Hare Nawar, Darap, Washuk and Shaogari are commonly found trees in the  ranges of Washuk. Wild onion, wild briar and tulips are common herbs in the area. Zeera is also grown here. Commonly apple, cherry, apricot, plum, raspberry, peach, pistachio, almond etc are grown in the area. The productions of onion, potato, wheat and vegetable have a legendry association with the Washuk district.  

The animals present in the Shahogari valley are Wolves, Foxes, Rabbits, ibex, markhor and jackals etc.  Partridge, sand grouse, Sasu, sparrow, Thalor etc., are main birds flying in the skies of Washuk District.   

AGRICULTURE AND RELATED SECTORS.

     Agriculture Extension Department Wing is situated in Washuk District, They are working close with farmers of District Washuk, and transferring new technologies from research side to the District Zamaindars. Extension wing works like a bridge with Government and farmers.  The Major crops of District  Washuk are wheat, Potato, Onions, Cumin. The Wheat is grown in Baranai areas  where rainfall is possible in the seasons. In rainfall   areas,  most of farmers  grow apple  ,   apricots and other fruits . The important trees in Washuk especially on the slopes  of Hare Nawar range are Basima. Irrigation is the back-bone of the Agriculture.  The main source of irrigation in the District are tube wells which include 61% of irrigation system. Besides this, the other source are Karezes, springs and open wells in the irrigation system. Now-a-days the farmers use tube wells & borings for their irrigation purposes. The situation of under ground water is so inconstant that it is falling down day by day. Every year’s farmers further bore their tube wells approximately 400-40 feet and more. The main Administrative Office of Agriculture  is divided in to   three offices. One is called Extension wing, second is Soil Fertility and the third one is On Farm Water Management  and Trickle  Irrigation. The Extension wing provides latest information  and  transferring  new technology to the farmers. The staff of extension is enhancing the  abilities of farmers of the area, and also giving the layouts for trees and gardens in summer season. The Beldars are pruning  the farmers  trees. The staff comprises one Field  Assistant  and  two  to  three Baldars in each Union Council. Field Assistants look after the crops give the preclusion measures from diseases and insects.

 SOIL FERTILITY  

The head of the Soil fertility Wing at District level is a District Officer, who is supported by One Deputy District Officer and other staff.

The aim of this Office is to provide Soil Fertility testing and water testing  opportunities to the farmers. However, in Washuk Office there is no Laboratory in working condition.

ON FARM WATER MANAGEMENT.

 The OFWM  wing is to provide and enhance better water utilization techniques  to farmers . The staff of this wing consist  of One Deputy Director and Two District Officers  and One Sub-Engineer, One District Officer in Washuk. This wing of Agriculture Department is constructing water tanks, laying pipe lines and also constructing water channels for the zamindars of the district.   There are two cropping seasons in Washuk district Kharif and Rabi. Kharif crops are grown in summer and harvested in late summer or early winter. Rabi crops are sown in winter and during early summer and harvested accordingly. The main crops grown during rabi are wheat, barley, cumin, fodder and various vegetables. Kharif crops include fruits, onion, potato, vegetables,melon and fodder. Fodder is cultivated throughout the year, while fruits are produced in Kharif season only.

Forestry

The forest department protects and preserves the forests and wild life of the district. Construction of small dams, embankments etc., for avoiding the wastage of rainwater and provision of herbs and plants for animals.

The forest department is led by Divisional Forest Officer in the District with staff of 11. The DFO manages the day-to-day affairs and controls the departmental budget. Also improves the forest revenue to supervise the field staff and coordinate between the District Forest department and provincial forest department.

Field Staff and their Functions:

     The Field Staff is directly linked with Range Forest Officer forest, which is ensuring the efficient discharge of duties, protecting the forests, controlling the illegal deforestation and doing the measures to improve the forestation.

     The district Forest Officer frames charges against illegal cutting of forest, register the cases and pursue them in the Court of law.The protection of rare species and to end the illegal hunting is also a prime objective of the field staff.

 Juniper Forest

Washuk has a very unique Juniper Forest. It is divided into to zones.

Shaogari Juniper forest with 155200 Acres.

Washuk Juniper forest with   115000 Acres.

 ‘Shao’ mean All and ‘gari’ means scents. ‘Shaogari’ All scents. These forests are being managed by the juniper forest echo system at Quetta. These forests possesses precious herb with sweet scents, which are very rare in the entire world. Shaogari is considered to be the second tourist hill station after Basima, which is looked after by a very limited staff i.e., forest guards and on the other hand no staff is available for the supervision of Shaikhri juniper forest.

Important Hunting Places /Game Sanctuaries:

  Nature has generously bestowed Washuk innumerable forest, Game bird and animals. The important hunting places are ‘Shahogeri’ and ‘Mashkel’. These places hold Houbara bustard, Ducks, swans, coats, Mallards etc., The drought spell of last few years has played havoc with all those species.

 Main Range Lands

District Washuk maintains two important rangelands.

 Shaogari Range Lands:

This grazing range stretches over a vast area of 35,000 acres, across the CEPEC road. The catastrophic spell of drought has also left its effect on this rangeland which needs re-establishment.

       Range Lands of Kharan Bado:

This rangeland is situated on main Salam Baik , 112 km off in the north of Hare Nawar Union Council. A project of regeneration and re-habilitation of the rangeland was launched for plantation of saltbush in the area. These for plantation are providing fodder to the grazing animals. Under the same project a series of check dams were constructed with the following results. 1) to avoid erosion of land and 2) to rise the depleting water level.

Livestock

District Washuk is an important area as far as raising of livestock is concerned. This district comprises of vast area. It is reported to have strength of 31896 cattle,  592 buffaloes, 1239499 sheep, 807608 goats, 10264 camel, 511 horses, 143 mules, 22770 donkeys and 33000 poultry in the district Washuk(Census 2006) at present , there is one veterinary Hospital in Sub Tehsil Shahogeri , moreover there are 15 veterinary dispensaries in respective areas. Mass immunization / vaccination of animals against various bacterial and viral diseases were carried out. Similarly, a large number of Animals were provided veterinary cover at Hospitals, dispensaries and in mobile field camps.

Food

        The majority of the people have two meals a day. The first in the morning between 9 and 11 am and the second in the evening between 6 to 9 pm. Some of the people take breakfast as well. Wheat is the staple food and is used in the form of leavened and unleavened cakes, backed on tafu (stone griddle). Meat, vegetable and pulses are normally used in the meals. However, in summer yogurt and in winter dates and butter are supplemented with bread. In urban areas eggs and meat are commonly used as part of the diet.

Dress

     The male dress consists of a loose white shirt and pair of shalwar (trousers) made of the same cloth and a Balochi cap. The dress of a female consists of a long shirt and a pair of Shalwar. The female dresses have excellent embroidery on them which is a local tradition. This dress with beautiful embroidery is common among both the rich and the poor. However, the ordinary dress of the poor nomads consists of a cotton shirt and shalwar. Generally, the quality of the dress reflects the socio-economic status of the residents of the area. Special dresses are prepared for the bride and the groom on the occasion of their marriage which cost more then a normal dress. These dresses are made of silk in beautiful colours and are heavily embroidered.

Dwellings

 Majority of the population lives in rural areas (villages) in mud houses. A typical village has several dwelling units located close to each other and is inhabitated by a single class or sub-tribe. Generally there are three to four dwellings in a compound. In towns mostly houses are also of mud made.

Occupation

Majority of the people are concerned with the agriculture/livestock sector. The other fields of employment are government and private jobs.

 Marriage is probably the most important event in the social live of the people of this area. It lays the foundation for the formation of a new family. It is a religious and social contract not only between the husband and wife but also between the two families or clans. The occasion is celebrated joyfully by all the relatives and friends of the two families participating in the marriage.

     The people of the district are traditionally co-operative among themselves. There are various ways and means by which they extend co-operation in their society. One of the forms of co-operation is called “Bijar” the assistance offered in cash or in the form of gifts to the parents of the bride by their relatives and friends. Similarly “Sergusht” known as “Salami” in other parts of the country is another kind of financial help which the friends and relatives offer to the bridegroom just before he proceeds to the bride’s house for marriage’ “Purs” is also a type of assistance extended to the bereaved family by their relatives when they visit them to offer condolence and say “Fateha:. Similarly in case of a murder the jirga sometimes impose a penalty on the murderer by ordering him to pay a certain amount of money (which may be a few hundred thousand rupees) to the victim’s family as compensation. Relatives and friends help the family with cash. This type of financial assistance is known as “Pori”.

                    The majority of the people of the area are Muslims belonging to the “Sunni sect”. They offer prayers five times a day and also fast in the month of Ramzan.Two main systems i.e formal and informal exist for conflict resolution in the district. The former works through the government while the latter works through “Jirga”. The government system functions through the civil and session courts. A Qazi court is also functioning at Washuk. This court decide the cases in a relatively short time but the enforcement of their decisions is the responsibility of the civil administration.The Jirga system is the legacy of the British regime. It was abolished in 1991 by a government order and since then it has no legal position. Nonetheless people take their disputes to the Jirga for speedy trials “Bradari” system (brotherhood) is also very effective in resolving issues. People take their cases to the senior members of their tribes or to the notables of their community. The “Bradri” settles disputes in a very short time without involving any expenditure. The informal system of conflict resolution play a very important role in the settlement of local disputes.

 Possession of fire arms by men is a tribal tradition. Almost all the people posses weapons in the rural areas while in the urban areas of the district only the tribal chiefs and notable persons keep the arms.

Betrothals and Marriages

The arranged marriage system is common in the area. The parents select the bride for their son. The process starts when the parents send a woman to the family of the proposed bride to find out about her age, appearance, moral character etc. If the parents of both the boy and girls are satisfied, the marriage is finalized. In certain cases, the parents of the bride demand a certain amount of money from the groom for giving their daughter’s hand. This money in the local language is called “Labb” (bride’s price). The price is determined on the basis of the status of the wedding families in the society and also on the qualities of the girl to be married.

     Haq-mehr (certain amount of money which the husband must pay to his wife as religious    obligation) is fixed before the ceremony of Nikah takes place. In some cases the husbandpledgesa part of his property as Haq-mehr which the wife can get only after the death of her husband. The bride’s parents present her with some dress, furniture and some other household articles. They also present a wedding dress to the bridegroom.

 In case of a widow marrying again, no dowry is presented by her parents and the labb (price) is also generally half of that of the bride who is not a widow.

Another custom in practice among some tribes of the area is locally known as “adalbadal”.    According to this the sister (or a near relative) of the groom is offered to any male member of the bride’s family.

 Divorce is uncommon and undesirable. Divorced women have the same status as that of a widow and can remarry only in her own tribe.

District Administration

 The District Administration is headed by a Deputy Commissioner, who is also the District Collector of the area. His jurisdiction of authority/influence infect extends to all state establishments. He is a major medium of communication between local bodies and government bodies at district and division level. Washuk was registered as a district on 04th June 2005. of today were sub-Tehsil of Washuk at that time.The Washuk district consists of three Sub-Divisions Washuk/Basima/Mashkel.

         Name of Sub-Division                  Tehsil/Sub Tehsils

         Washuk                                                       Tehsil Washuk

                                                                 Sub Tehsil Shahogeri

         Basima                                          Tehsil Basima

                                                                Sub Tehsil Nag

          Mashkel                                        Tehsil Mashkel

  The administrative setup of the district

                       Deputy Commissioner

                       Assistant Commissioner

                       Tehsildar

                       Naib Tehsildar

                       Muhasib

                       Qanungo

                       Patwari

Police Department

 Washuk district is a very peaceful area of the province. People go to the notable persons to get their problems solved, while in serious cases the Jirga decides the issues. Cases are often not reported to the police stations. While the levies are responsible for maintaining law and order in the rural areas of the district. The district is quite safe for both Pakistan and foreign travelers.

 Though the district is governed by regular law however Criminal law is operated in (A) area (Washuk Town Limits) by police and in (B) area through levies. Police is headed by Superintendent of Police while levies is under the control of Deputy Commissioner. SHO Police and Tehsildar/ Naib Tehsildars are responsible for investigation of cases in A/B areas respectively.

Judicial System

                       As far as judicial set-up is concerned, Washuk district is under the control of District & Sessions Judge Kharan, while Additional Sessions Judge, Judicial Magistrate sits in Basima and cover the Magisterial cases of Washuk district. Besides, Two Qazi court is also functioning at Basima and Mashkel for the administration of justice in civil matters.

Revenue System

 The town committee collects sanitation fee, fee of business licences. The revenue staff collects  agricultural tax and property tax.

HEALTH

NO OF SCHOOLS AND ENROLLMENT OF STUDENTS 2013-2017