The document discusses irrigation systems in Balochistan province of Pakistan. It notes that Balochistan covers 44% of Pakistan's land area but only 4.3% is cultivated, due to lack of water. It then describes the mountain ranges in Balochistan and notes their mineral resources. The climate varies from very cold winters in the highlands to warmer areas receiving 200-500mm of rain annually. Agriculture and livestock are major sources of income but water shortage is a problem. The traditional karez irrigation system is described as underground channels that bring water from higher to lower elevations through mother wells, tunnels, and vertical shafts connected to the tunnels.

1. BALOCHISTAN IRRAGATION
SYSTEM
Abdullah Khan
Centre For Integrated Mountain
Research

2. Introduction of Balochistan
Balochistan area : 347,190 Sq Kms.
In Pakistan 44%
Cultivated Areas in Balochistan :4.3% area
 Geographic zones:
 Upper high lands (Khorasan)
 Height :3,700 meters
 Valley floor:1,500meters above sea level
 Lower high lands: 600 to 1200 (MSL)
 Dera Bugti and Nasirabad
 Plains: Kachi, Las Bela ,15% of the landscape.
 Deserts: Kharan and Chaghi districts

3. Mountain Ranges of BALOCHISTAN
The plateau of Baluchistan has a number of mountain ranges which although
barren are rich with mineral resources. These ranges form natural borders with
Iran and Afghanistan.
The Chaghi Range
Border with Afghanistan and Iran
Famous Pass: Gonshero
Minerals: Copper, Gold and Sulpher
The Central Brahui Range
Length:360km ,Peak: Khilafat Peak (3,487 meters)
Forests: Juniper forests
Famous Passes : Bolan Pass, Harnai Pass and Mula Pass.
The Suleiman Range
Average height : 1,520 meters
Famous peak : Takhat-e-Suleiman ( 3,379 ) meters
Forests: Juniper forests
Minerals :Limestone and Sandstone
The Toba Kakar Range
Vegetation: Juniper, pistachio and tamarisk trees

5. CLIMAT AND RAINFALL
• CLIMATE
• The climate of the upper highlands is
characterized by very cold winters and warm
summers.
• RAIN FALL
• Average annual precipitation in Balochistan varies
from 2 to 20 inches (50 to 500 mm). Maximum
precipitation falls in the northeastern areas with
annual average rain fall ranging from 8 to 20
inches (200 to 500 mm).

6. Agriculture in Baluchistan
• Agriculture and lives took is major sources of
income of the people of Baluchistan
• There are many valuable agricultures in
Balochistan like apple ,dates and grapes
• The main problem of agriculture in shortage of
water for demotic use and also for agriculture
• Karez is use for storage of water for demotic
use and irrigation prepress

8. Karez irrigation system
• Karezes are the underground
channels, which bring the water from
the higher to the lower place
• Mostly for irrigational purposes

9. A karez consists of three parts:
 Mother-well(s)
Only mother-well contains water, which is present
at the head of karezat a higher altitude.
 Tunnel
Underground horizontal tunnel is dug to bring the water
from mother-well to the ground surface.
 Shafts
These shafts are wells which are dug vertically at a
regular distance, normally 25-30 meters, throughout the
karez. At the bottom these are connected with tunnels.
Their main function is ventilation.

11. Construction of Karez