ZiZri Valley (Ziarat)

Zizri is one of the most beautiful valleys of Ziarat. This valley possesses a breathtaking beauty.The valley has very large and some of the oldest Juniper trees. It has untouched natural beauty which make it unique from other valleys of Ziarat.. 

Zizri valley at a distance of about 12 kms from Ziarat town. It  located at an elevation of 2,250 m above sea level. It is  situated on the southern edge of the Ziarat It is mostly mountainous area with thick juniper forest, wild flowers and many herb plants. 

Zezri valley is accessible from Ziarat. The route goes through Prospect Point . The drive from prospect point is quite picturesque and the road passes through a thick Juniper forest with occasional glimpses of the valleys down below.The road is shingle and  rough from Prospect Point to the Zizri valley.

The black top road from the Quaid -e -Azam Residency goes to Prospect Point. It turn off at Green Juniper Restaurant to descend into Trang Nala. Climbing up, attain the jeep road to Kili Sardaran, home of the chief of the Sarangzai clan of Kakars.Leaving the village to your right, enter the juniper-covered plateau of Bar Maghzi, at the far end of which the trail descends into the dry gorge of Loi Ghat. The barely visible trail climbs to Ismail Maghzi before leading to Orazhe Sar, the highest point, from where it is downhill all the way to Zizri. To the east is the sheersided 3,485 m cone of Khalifat, Passing the landmarks of the bleached white Spin (White) Maghzi and the knob of reddish brown rock called Tor Skhar (Black Rock), one attains the concrete pond of Gharrai beyond which lie the fields of Zezri. The fields and orchards of Zizri lie on a short walk away.

Zizri valley has significant importance because it lies in the base of Khalifat mountain. This mountain is the highest mountain of Ziarat and the second highest of Balochistan located in Suleiman mountain range. . Zizri is located on the north east side of Khalifat peak. Zizri valley provide leading route to khilafat peak.  The route from the valley goes into the forest along the eastern edge of the Khalifat peak. After crossing the forest,  towards  right direction one has to enter a narrow slide which ends in a sheer fall to the right and a rock wall to the left. 

The panorama view of this valley is so impressive.which make it a unique and distinctive. Juniper  trees found  in this valley are mostly straight and high with trunks measuring some six metres make it a  picturesque valley. The contrast of  yellowish rock,with  the green juniper trees that grow among the rocks and on the valley floor make it so amazing.  

The valley provides quiet and picturesque escape for nature lovers with high rocky walls dotted with Junipers surrounding .,There are many varieties of birds and the chirping sound of birds make it a perfect natural and pristine  place.The juniper forest ecosystem of zizri valley provides habitat for endangered wildlife species and supports a rich diversity of plant species There are found some wild species including Suleiman Markhor, Urial, Black Bear and Wolf.

                                            Green Domes  in Zizri valley

The aromatic ziziphora, used as a remedy for colds and influenza, is also abundant here, spread over the valley floor like a green carpet. Especially during the rainy season, the fragrance of this medicinal plant spread all over the valley be missed. There are also  wild olive,forest in this valley.

Development Authority of  the district government had constructed Huts which is for the purpose  if the weather gets too unbearable.than  to take refuge in  The  beautiful huts are unique with there conical designs with red roof. These  huts has surrounding lawn with children play area and with few swings. A constant aroma comes from the forest. It is a serene place surrounded with contrast of grey mountains and juniper tress. It is base and from here the Zizri valley and surrounding  forest can be explored. This place offers a spectacular view of the  mountainous area surrounded it Khalifat peak is seen from here 

The entire area of Zizri valley is worth visiting for its lush green natural beauty, its enchanting juniper forests with Some of the trees which are almost 4,000 to 7000 years old, mountain peaks,The area is refreshingly cool in summer  

Zizri valley with  the juniper  around offer good opportunity hiking and trekking. Camping is recommended to enjoy the nature

The Zizri valley is good for a day trip and for camping.

The best time to visit Zizri valley is between May to August  when the temperature is in comfortable ranges. It is refreshingly cool in summer,  It is extremely cold in winters and  gets a heavy snowfall.

The Spring season is in April The summer season is from May  to August. It starts getting cold in September and from November to March.it is winter.
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Akhund Pir( sibi) -Balochistan)

Akhund Pir

Akhund Pir is a site of oldest graves around Sib district in the province of Balochitani. It is located 10 Km from Sibi town and 5 Km from Kurrak village.

The name Akhund Pir is derived from Sufi Saint Mulla Muali alias Akhund Pir known as Akhund Baba He was  one of the Mureeds (followers) of Sultan Bahu.

Akhund Pir is famous because of the shrine of Sufi saint Mulla Muali alias Akhund Pir, located around Sibi. (ICH)  It is a popular spot of interest in sibi district.

There is water pond, which provides water to those people who visited this site.

There is a an old mosque used by Akhund Pir at a distance of 2 kilometers towards north side.

The graveyard is full of old trees. The surrounding area is covered with forest where some unique shaped rare and oldest tress are found. The surrounding forest is wooded and picturesque.

Old Beri Tree at Akhund Pir

The forest ecosystem provides a habitat for wildlife species and supports a rich variety of plant species. The forest also serves as a habitat of several species of migratory birds

Akhund Pir is a mystic and peaceful place.

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Old Beri Tree at Akhund Pir

Cuisine of Balochistan

Quroot (Dried curd)

Local name : (‪Kruth, ‪Kreth,‎Quroth )

Quroot  (Dried curd) is a Cottage Cheese.  It is very popular and traditional cuisine of Pakistan including Balochistan,and is consumed primarily during the winters. It is an essential food in all nomadic and pastoral communities. Specially Balochi, Brahvi, Gujjar,Kashmiri and Pashtoon nomads made it to keep them warm in winters. It is made for personal use and for commercial basis to sell it all around the area.

Quroot is traditionally a by-product of butter made from sheep or goat milk. The residual buttermilk remaining after churning of the butter is soured further by keeping it at room temperature for a few days, treated with salt, and then boiled. The precipitated casein is filtered through cheese cloth (Malmal cloth), pressed to remove liquid, and shaped into balls. The product is thus a very sour cottage cheese. It is basically made of yogurt and salt. It can be preserved for long time period.

Quroot has round or oval shape. It is usually eaten raw. It is also used in many other dishes and sauces.

Quroot takes its roots in Northern Afghanistan during the 1st Century BC. In Afghanistan

Method

·        Pour the yogurt in muslin or cheese cloth and drain the curd until the excess water is pressed out. It usually takes one or two days to drain out all excess water.

After draining all excess water it form a hard curd Add some quantity of flour and salt and knead it well until its texture and appearance become smooth   After the addition of flour and salt it becomes bit hard in shape Cut it into any shape or roll by hand to make balls shape.

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Kruthghwadhi (Kruth or Ghwadhi)

Kruthghwadhi is very popular cuisine consumed primarily during the winter. It is also called kruth or ghwadhi.

It is prepared by Quroot (Dried curd). Butter which is extracted from cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep is used .Butter is melted into oil. Quroot is added in boiling oil until it is melted and become like soupy greasy mixture .Soak hunks of nan or roti in it. Add some onions. Add Salt and some spices.Mix everything well and continue to cook over low heat.

Traditionally it is eaten with hands but some people eat with spoon as well. To enhance flavour it is served with sources chutni or salad. But best way is to eat simple with out any additive things. 

Kruthghwadhi keeps warm and prevents from cold in winters. It is the reason where there is severe cold it is used. 

Killi Raisani -(UC) Kawas, Ziarat district

Killi Raisani is a village of kawas union council of Ziarat district Balochistan .It is located on the west side of ziarat town at a distance of 18 km at 30°2756N 67°3456E and has an altitude of 2116 m (6945 ft) above sea level.

Killi Raisani is spread over 20 sq/km2, It lies next to killi shadeed Baba and opposite to Killi murgha kawas village.

Topography

Geographically Killi Raisani,at one side is mostly terrain but on other sides it has fruits orchids.

Dam

The mini dam named  Kawas tangi storage dam” is located in this village.

Tribes:

Raisani, Tareen and syed

Language:

Pushto is main spoken language

Food:

The food eaten consists principally of wheat, rice, butter, milk and vegetables and meat. The use of tea, milk and butter is also common.

Infrastructure:

The infrastructure facilities are less. There are approximately 60 households, with populations of around 500 persons. Most of the houses are constructed with mud and unbaked bricks, The roads are metallic and also shingle. Electricity and Gas is available. Postal and Telephone facilities are also available. There are three mosques and few shops. Hand pumps, wells and karez are used for water supply

Education:

Literacy in the area is moderate it has two schools, one for boys and one for girls. The name of school is Govt primary Ghwazh School. For high school education pupils has to go other areas.

Profession:

The people are predominantly dependent on agriculture sector, livestock, government jobs and different types of businesses .Mostly families have shifted from the village for better education of their children, for better jobs and for business purposes.

Climate:

The climate is mostly pleasant in summers and extremely cold in winters. The summer season remains pleasant from May to August. It begins getting wintry in the month of September and becomes extremely cold with heavy amount of snow fall during the months of November - March. Rainy season is mostly during January to March in winter and July to August in summer.

Time to visit: March - October

Earthquake:

On the morning of 29 October 2008 at around 4 am Ziarat and its surrounding areas were struck by an earthquake. Killi Raisani was also affected by it The mud houses were turned into rubble and many government buildings were destroyed . Landslides had cut-off many roads and accessibility to the area was made more difficult. The shelters and medical camp were established in killi Raisani 

Dalbandin Airport- Balochistan

Dalbandin Airport (IATA: DBA, ICAO: OPDB) is a small domestic airport located at Dalbandin, in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. There are two weekly Fokker flights of PIA to/from Karachi.

Dalbandin Airport (DBA),is possibly the remotest airport PIA operates into. It is also the highest elevation 3120 feet, with a runway of only 1524m and a minimal width of about 75 '.

This airfield had been constructed in 1935. Initially, its role was to serve as a satellite of Samungli Air Base at Quetta. During the Second World War, it was made operationally ready by RAF to meet a possible Russian invasion through Iran. Each time we landed there, I was attracted by a group of broken down Nissan huts located near the airfield.

Dalbandin is one of three Pakistani bases used by the US and allied forces Currently the United States Marine Corps use Dalbandin as a base for operations into Afghanistan.

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