Karoonjhar Mountains
| Karoonjhar Mountains | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Geography | |
  Karoonjhar Mountains (Pakistan) | |
| Range coordinates | 24°20′26″N 70°44′0″E / 24.34056°N 70.73333°ECoordinates: 24°20′26″N 70°44′0″E / 24.34056°N 70.73333°E |
Karoonjhar Mountains (Urdu: کارونجھر پہاڑیاں) are located in Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan. It is approximately 19 km in length and attains a height of 305 m
Geography
This is the only hill in the district near Nagarparkar on the northern edge of the Rann of Kutch. It consists of granite rocks, probably an outlying mass of the crystalline rocks of the Aravalli range. The Aravalli series belongs to Archaen system which constitutes the oldest rocks of the Earth's crust and Chinese clay. This is a small area quite different from the desert. The tract is flat and level except close to Nagarparkar itself. The principal range, Karunjhir, is approximately 19 km in length and attains a height of 305 m. Smaller hills rise in the east, which are covered with sparse jungle and pasturage and give rise to two perennial springs named Achleshwar and Sardharo as well as temporary streams called Bhetiani and Gordhro, after the rains.
Climate
Karoonjhar Dam is being constructed to supply water to people of Nagarparkar area. In monsoon season, the rain water pours down from the mountain and flows in more than twenty streams, Bhatiani, Maoo, Gordaro, Ranaser, Sukhpur, Ghatiari, Madanwah, Moondaro, Bhodeser, Lolrai, Drah, Puranwah to the Rann of Kutch. The climate of this mountain range is extreme due to rocky terrain, August and September are only cool months due to monsoon.
Economic Significance
Karoonjhar has economic significance for the local people of the area, it is rich in deposits and plant medicinal values. These plants include shatavari, okra and wild onion. This mountain is economically so significant that there is a local saying "Karoonjhar yields a hundred kilos of gold regularly.".
History
Karoonjhar has been mentioned in many verses of Sindhi and Gujarati poets. Myths and lores of Sadwant & Sharanga, Hothlal Pari (nature's fairy), Odho Jam (Sindhi lore) and Bherio Garori (wolf's ring) are regarded to this range. Hothlal Pari is considered to have had appeared 1st in the Karoonjhar mountains. In old times, Karoonjhar was also famously known as "Kinro". The mountain range has several places of historical importance, like Bhodeser Talao, Alakh Wao (hidden well), Anchlechure, Sardaro, Gao Mukhi, Punraj Gadr, Nani, Chandan gadr, Bhaun jo bheesro, Jharno and Bhaunro. In the past, many individuals were exiled to the Karoonjhar by monarchs of nearby states.[1]
References