Chinji National Park

Coordinates: 33°0′36.87″N 72°29′30.98″E / 33.0102417°N 72.4919389°E / 33.0102417; 72.4919389

Chinji National Park (Chinji)
Protected Area
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
Range	Salt Range
District	Chakwal
Tehsil	Talagang
Elevation	2,231 ft (680 m)
Coordinates	33°0′36.87″N 72°29′30.98″E / 33.0102417°N 72.4919389°E / 33.0102417; 72.4919389
Area	60.95 km2 (24 sq mi)
Biome	Deserts and xeric shrublands
Geology	Igneous rock, Sandstone
Plant	Cynodon dactylon
Animal	Ovis orientalis
Established	1987
Management	Wildlife and Parks Department, Government of Punjab (Pakistan)
Visitation	?
IUCN category	II - National Park
Chinji is located in north of Khushab and south of Islamabad

Chinji National Park (shortened as Chinji), established in 1987,^[1] is a protected area of IUCN category II (national park) located in Talagang Tehsil, Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan. It covers a total area of 6,095 hectares (15,061 acres).^[2] Chinji National Park is located close to Salt Range, about 130 km from Islamabad in the south.^[3]

Landscape

The area has an elevation imperial of 2,231 feet (680 m). Deeply eroded land of Chinji consists of sandstone to igneous rocks, combined with small deposits of rock salt from the Salt Range. Deep torrential streams and ravines slope into the Soan River, which passes through the area.^[3]

Climate

Average annual rainfall in the area is 537 mm, out of which 308 mm is in the monsoon season from July to September. Maximum temperature is 27°C in June and minimum is 2.2°C in January. Frost is common in winter season. Relative humidity can reach up to 80% in monsoon.^[3]

Wildlife

The Chinji National Park exhibits the biome of deserts and xeric shrublands and falls in the ecoregion of 'Baluchistan xeric woodlands' (PA1307).^[4] The area is characterized to have sub-tropical vegetation with many plant species of importance. The area is also a habitat for threatened species of Urial.^[5]

See also

• List of national parks of Pakistan
• Salt Range

References

1. ^ "Country Report on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - Pakistan". parc.gov.pk. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. http://www.parc.gov.pk/CountryReport.pdf. Retrieved September 22, 2010. 
2. ^ "Chinji National Park". wdpa.org. World Database on protected Areas. http://www.wdpa.org/siteSheet.aspx?sitecode=14235. Retrieved September 22, 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} "Status of flora at Chinji Forest Preserves". docsdrive.com. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 3 (5). Page: 876-880.. 2000. http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/pjbs/2000/876-880.pdf. Retrieved September 22, 2010. 
4. ^ "Baluchistan xeric woodlands (PA1307)". worldwildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund (WWF). http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/pa/pa1307_full.html. Retrieved September 22, 2010. 
5. ^ "Ovis orientalis". iucnredlist.org. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/15739/0. Retrieved September 22, 2010. 

External links

• World Database On Protected Areas (WDPA) - Profile
• Conservation of dry shrub forests in Salt Range - Planning report