Ziarat#Juniper forest
{{Other places}}
{{Distinguish|Ziyarat}}{{Short description|Town in Balochistan, Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ziarat
| official_name =
| native_name = {{nq|زیارت}}
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline =
| imagesize =
| image_caption =
| mapsize =
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Balochistan Pakistan#Pakistan
| pushpin_relief = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|30.3810|67.7270|region:PK|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon|Balochistan}} Balochistan
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = Ziarat
| area_total_km2 = ...
| elevation_m = 2543
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 3,863
| population_as_of = 2023
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone1 = PST
| utc_offset1 = +5
| area_code_type = Calling code
| area_code = 0833
| blank_name_sec2 = Number of Union councils
| blank_info_sec2 =
| website =
}}
Ziarat (Urdu and {{langx|ps|{{nq|زیارت}}}}) is a city in the Ziarat District of the Balochistan province in Pakistan. It lies {{convert|130|km}} away from Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.{{cite web |title=Ziarat - A Holiday Resort |url=http://emergingpakistan.gov.pk/travel/place-to-visit/balochistan/ziarat/ |website=emergingpakistan.gov.pk |access-date=14 August 2019}} Previously, it was part of Sibi district. It was announced as a separated district on 1st of July, 1986. The Quaid-e-Azam Residency is located in this valley, where Quaid-e-Azam (the founder of Pakistan) spent some of his last days.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}
History
On 29 October 2008, at around 4 am, Ziarat and surrounding areas were struck by an earthquake doublet. The first tremor, 6.2 magnitude, lasted a couple of seconds, and was followed by a magnitude-6.4 tremor that lasted almost 30 seconds, destroying many mud houses and several government buildings.{{Cite web |last=Shahid |first=Saleem |date=2008-10-30 |title=Massive quake flattens Ziarat villages: Over 200 dead, 500 injured; thousands spend chilly night in the open |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/327764/massive-quake-flattens-ziarat-villages-over-200-dead-500-injured-thousands-spend-chilly-night-in-the-open |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}} Neighbouring villages were also badly affected by the earthquake. More than 200 people were killed, and over 50,000 were left homeless. Landslides cut off many roads, making the area less accessible to emergency responders. Pakistani military helicopters were used to reach mountainous and remote locations.Raven, Nell. (2008-10-29) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/3278195/Pakistan-quake-kills-160.html Pakistan quake kills 160]. Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved on 2012-01-25.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7701305.stm 300 feared dead in Pakistan quake – BBC]. BBC News (2008-10-31). Retrieved on 2012-01-25.
Geography
Ziarat is surrounded by the lush green Ziarat Juniper Forest, known locally as Sanober, home to the largest area of Juniper forest (Juniperus seravschanica) in Pakistan, covering about 110,000 hectares. The juniper trees of Ziarat are one of the oldest trees of their kind with some of these trees being 4000 years old. It is believed that the forest is the second largest of its kind in the world.{{cite web|title=Ziarat Juniper Forest|url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/asia-and-the-pacific/pakistan/ziarat-juniper-forest/|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=26 December 2016|ref=It is believed that the forest is the second largest of its kind in the world.}}{{cite web|title=Man and Biosphere initiative for Juniper forests of Balochistan|url=http://unesco.org.pk/ns/mab/index.html|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=26 December 2016|ref=The Juniper forest ecosystem of Ziarat-Pakistan is reputed to be the oldest and world's second-largest and harbors some of the unique species of Juniperusexcelsapolycarpu.}} The indigenous tribes are primarily Kakar, and Tareen (including Raisani).
= Climate =
Ziarat has a continental climate (Koppen: Dsa) and remains quite cool in summer compared to other cities in Pakistan.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
Demographics
= Population =
{{Historical populations|1951|...|1961|...|1972|533|1981|201|1998|636|2017|3,392|2023|3,863|align=center|percentages=pagr|footnote=Sources:{{cite web |title=Population by administrative units 1951-1998 |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/1998/administrative_units.pdf |publisher = Pakistan Bureau of Statistics}}}}
According to the 2023 Census of Pakistan, Ziarat had a population of 3,863.{{Cite web |title=URBAN LOCALITIES BY POPULATION SIZE AND THEIR POPULATION BY SEX, ANNUAL GROWTH RATE AND HOUSEHOLD SIZE : CENSUS-2023, BALOCHISTAN |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/table_2_balochistan_districts.pdf}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{commons category}}
{{PakistanCities}}
{{Ziarat District}}
{{Protected areas of Pakistan}}