KHATUKA FOREST (KILLA SAIFULLAH)

Khatuka forest is a natural forest in Killa Saifullah district of Baluchistan . It is spread on an area of 4 Hectare.

The useful plants fall mainly in the categories of fodder; fuel wood for energy purpose and construction wood for roofing and small implements and medicinal plants for people and livestock. However, timber is not produced on commercial basis. Wood from Juniper and other related trees is utilized for fuel wood, construction of huts and hedges around agricultural lands in areas near the forests.

 The important species are:

• ·       Juniper (Juniperus excelsa polycarpos)
• ·       Artemisia (Artemisia meritima)
• ·       Ephedra (Ephedra nebrodensis)
• ·       Ephedra (Ephedra intermedia)
• ·       Morae /Ajwain (Thymus surphyllum)
• ·       Zralg (Berberis lycium)
• ·       Surai (Rosa beggeriana)
• ·       Shinshobae (Perowskia abrotanoides)
• ·       Sursanda (Hymenocrater sessilifolius)
• ·       Kala Zira (Carum bulbocastanum)
• ·       Spandae (Paganum hermala)
• ·       Valanae (Mentha sylvestris)
• ·       Walaghunai (Dephne oleoides)
• ·       Gung (Vitex agnus-castus)

The type of forest is Dry Temperate Scrub (Steppe). Historically, it was dry temperate climax formation of juniper and wild.

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