Karoonjhar Mountains Range: Rich History & Scenic Beauty
The famous mountain range of Karoonjhar is located in Nagarparkar taluka, a south-eastern edge of district Tharparkar of province Sindh, Pakistan. This site of Karoonjhar mountains range is famous for its interesting natural landscapes and wonderful tour attractions. The term Karoonjhar is composite of two words from Sindhi language; "Karoon" and "Jhar", where "Karoon" means black and "Jhar" means dots. In ancient times, Karoonjhar was also once known by name Kanaro Mountain.
The mountain range of Karoonjhar having the length of about 16 miles (26 kms) and spanning area of more than 400 kms is surrounded by Islamkot taluka of Tharparkar in west, sand dunes of Nagarparkar taluka in north, Rann of Kutch (Gujarat, India) in south & some in west and Rajasthan (state of India) in east. The famous Nagarparkar town of Tharparkar is surrounded by the range of this mountain range. The highest peak of Karoonjhar mountain range is Tyrwhitt Peak (in local also known by Tarvat Jo Thalho) having height of about 1000 ft (305 m) above sea level.
Location: Nagarparkar at Southern-Eastern edge of Tharparkar district
GPS Coordinates: 24.3406° N, 70.7333° E
Climate of Karoonjhar Mountains Range:
The Karoonjhar mountain range experiences a highly variable climate, influenced by its rugged, rocky, and hilly terrain. This results in extreme temperature variations, with scorching summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature is approximately 33°C (90°F), with May being the hottest month, during which temperatures frequently exceed 40°C. In contrast, January and February are the coldest months, with temperatures dropping to around 10°C. The monsoon season in August and September brings relatively moderate temperatures, making these months the most favorable for tourism in the region.
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| Greenish View of Karoonjhar hills during monsoon season |
The mountainous region of Karoonjhar receives the majority of its monsoon rainfall between July and September, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 356 mm (14 inches). This level of rainfall is generally adequate to support ecological sustainability, meeting the water requirements of the local population and facilitating soil and crop cultivation throughout the year.
Economic Significance:
The Karoonjhar mountain range has very great economic significances in terms of natural resources such as water streams, honey farms, wood, minerals (e.g. granite, china clay, etc.), medical herbs and plants etc. There is a famous local saying "Karoonjhar yields the 1.25 Ser of Gold daily", which reflects that this area is capable of producing yields in terms of minerals, medicinal plants, wood and others, which may equal to price of 1.25 Seer (1.17 Kg or 2.76 lb) of Gold daily. So, Poor and local people of Nagarparkar used to collect those valuable things from mountains and sell them in market for their bread and butter.
"Karoonjhar yields the 1.25 Ser of Gold daily."
Hilly and plain region of Nagarparkar is home to more than 200 species of plants and some of which different types of medicinal valued plants can be found here such as Khokhro, Gun wal, Shatawari (Asparagus racemosus) , Wild Onion (Allium), Shivjati, Uth-Kanthi (Alhagi Camelorum), Utangan or Bhangri (Blepharis scindica), Lajwanti (Mimosa pudica), Gugar or Guggal (Commiphora wightii), and others. Local people of the area use those medicinal valued plants to treat various ailments.
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| Shatawari Plant with its roots |
.webp "Uth-Kanthi (Alhagi Camelorum) with branches, thorns and pinkish flowers")
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| Gugar or Guggal (Commiphora wightii) with resins |
Historical Importance:
According to the historical sources, the Karoonjhar mountains range hold traces of thousands year old civilization and history and cultural values. As per geologists, rock formations of Karoonjhar mountains dates back to around 3.5-5 billion years ago. The major part of this area was once under the sea and at that time Parinagar (currently a ruined site near Nagarparkar town) was famous sea-port and economic hub.
This region thrived in the past (Indus-Saraswati Civilization) when the Hakaro River coursed through the Saraswati, Yamuna, and Sutlej rivers, ultimately flowing into the Thar Desert or Rann of Kutch. As per Vedic books of Hinduism, five Pandavas brothers namely, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva had got shelter in Karoonjhar mountains for some time when they were exiled for 13 years by their cousin (Kauravs). Still today, some sites of mountains are popularly known by Bheem Gaud, Bheem Pond, Arjun Baan.
Heritage sites of Jain and Hindu Religion
This mountain range had been stronghold business and religious center for people of Jainism religion. They settled at most of the old towns of the region including Nagarparkar, Parinagar, Bhodesar and others and built a number of Jain and Hindu temples there. Before the partition of India, a very large number of Jains and Hindus used to visit here for pilgrimage sites located at Karoonjhar hills. The famous researcher and author Mashkoor Fulkaro 'مشڪور ڦلڪارو' writes in his book 'سَرسوَتِي تهذيب ۽ اڇڙو ٿر' that there are around 109 hills in Karoonjhar mountain range which houses more than 108 holy sites. This reference reflects how important hills of this mountain range are in terms of cultural and natural heritage sites.
As Mangha Ram Oojha writes in his book that there was a Chabootra (Terrace or house for birds) on Karoonjhar hills which is also known by Sahib Chango or Sahib Achhe as it was made by British Col. George Tyrwhitt during the British control over Nagarparkar.
Famous Rich Folklores
The region is also rich in folklore and myths, with tales such as those of Parasar, Odho Jam, Sadwant-Saranga, Hothal Pari, and Bhario Garori closely associated with this region of Karoonjhar. These captivating stories have become an integral part of the local culture and are often sung as folktales across the Thar, Rann of Kutch, and Marwar regions.
The renowned Sufi poet of Sindh Shah Abdul Lateef Bhitai also visited Karoonjhar mountains region of Nagarparkar after returning back from Rann of Kutch and Jaisalmer (India). Here, Shah Abdul Lateef Bhitai got inspired by the story and folktales of Umar-Marvi as Marvi was native girl of Bhalva village of Nagarparkar, and composed verses on this story which are mentioned in Chapter "Sur Marvi" in book 'Shah Jo Rasalo'.
Heroic Fight of Rooplo Kolhi, the Fearless Freedom Fighter
This region holds a significant place in history as the site where the renowned freedom fighter Rooplo Kolhi led a valiant resistance against British forces. Following the British annexation of Sindh and its capital in 1843, the British government fought three wars against the forces of Parkar, led by Rajputs and Rooplo Kolhi, between 1843 and 1859. Rooplo Kolhi was eventually captured and executed by hanging from a tree near the banks of the Gordhro River in evening of August 22, 1858. The fierce and resilient battles waged by the local Rajputs and Kolhi delayed the British conquest of the Thar and Parkar region for 16 years.
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| An AI generated image of Freedom Fighter, Rooplo Kolhi |
Birds and Animals of Karoonjhar Mountains Range:
The range of Karoonjhar mountains is a home for a large number of beautiful birds, reptiles and animals including some endangered animals such as chinkara deer (Gazella bennettii), peacock, wild rabbits, sughri, vulture, jackal, wolf and others.
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| Peacock of Karoonjhar (Tharparkar) |
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| Chinkara Deer of Nagarparkar (Tharparkar) |
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| A Vulture at Karoonjhar hills |
Water Streams & Dams of Karoonjhar Mountains:
During the monsoon season, rainwater pours and flows down the Karoonjhar Hills through more than 20 rain-water streams popular by different names as mentioned below;
- Gordhro
- Bhatyani
- Ghatiari
- Sukhpur
- Moondaro
- Madanwah
- Ranaser
- Bhodesar
- Maoo
- Lolrai
- Drah
- Puranwah
- and Others
In order to store the water of streams and solving the issues of water wastage & irrigation, provincial Government of Sindh launched different projects for constructing dams or water tanks over water streams of Nagarparkar under the projects of Small Dam Organization. Construction of more than 20 dams out of 36 announced dams have been completed for ensuring access of drinking water to the local population for whole year and irrigating the barren land of Nagarparkar. Names of some constructed and repaired dams or water storage tanks/ponds in Nagarparkar are;
- Malji Dam
- Chanida Dam
- Ghartiari Dam
- Rinmalsar Dam
- Ranpur Dam
- Khararo Dam
- Tobirio Tank
- Bhodesar Dam
- Adhigam Dam
- Lakar Kandio Dam
- Koowara Dam
- Saroochand Dam
- Barlao Dam
- Ranasar Dam
- Habasar Dam
- Miskeen JKK Dam
- Naryasar Dam
- Jhanjhasar Dam
- Lahy-Jo-Wandio Dam
- Kalidas Dam
- Umendika Dam
- Khani-Jo-Wandio Dam
Famous Hills & Peaks of Karoonjhar Mountains range:
- Doongri Hill
- Deti Hill
- Raanipur Hill
- Choorio Hill
Important Notice for Travellers or Foreigners:
Taking cameras to some historical sites or border areas may not be allowed by local authorities. Anybody who wishes to visit tourists sites of Nagarparkar or Karoonjhar Hills including the Hindu or Jain temples, you must have to follow the SOPs, guidelines and instructions of local government and security authorities and cooperate to them accordingly.
Whereas, for foreigners NOC (No Objection Certificate) is necessary as required from Ministry of Interiors, Govt. of Pakistan. With NOC, foreigners may visit Jain temples near Nagarparkar but they are not allowed to visit areas close to border.
In district Tharparkar, hunting of birds or animals including deer, peacocks is strongly prohibited and punishable under 'Sindh Wildlife Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management Act 2020'.
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