Punjab-Kasur

Brief History of Kasur District

The Imperial Gazetteer of India, while discussing the earlier history of Kasur and its surrounding region, shows that:

Kasur is a place of great antiquity and General Cunningham identified it with one of the places visited by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsiang in the seventh century AD. A Rajput city seems to have occupied the modern site before the earliest Mohammadan invasion, but Kasur does not appear in history until late in Mohammadan Period, when it was settled by a Pathan colony from east of the Indus. (v.15, p.149)

The Imperial Gazetteer of India: Provincial Series attributes the naming and foundation of the town of Kasur to Kusa, the son of Rama and brother of Loh or Lova. Loh (or Lova) is said to have been the founder of Lahore.

According to popular belief, the town was founded by the Pathan families of Kandahar during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is known that the Pathans constructed about 12 small forts, all named after the heads of various families; these forts were known as kots. These kots and their names are still extant. In Arabic, the word for kot or fort is kasr (Qasr) the plural of which is kasur (Qasur). Thus, it is possible that the city/ district (Kasur) derives its name from these kots/ kasur built by the Pathans.

Kasur is one of the oldest cities of Pakistan. In antiquity, it was just a small settlement, with katcha houses (mud houses) on the northern bank of the old River Beas. After the invasions by Alexander the Great in 327 BC, the area was successively ruled by the Maurya Empire (322-185 BC), Indo-Greek Kingdom (155-130 BC), Indo Scythian (or the Sakas, from middle of the 2nd century BC to 1st century BC), Indo Parthian Kingdom (20 AD to 250 AD), Kushan Dynasty (60 AD-375 AD), White Huns (455-533 AD), Kabul Shahis (500-1020/1026 AD), and the Delhi Sultanate.[1]

In 1020 AD, Kasur was included in the territory of Lahore, which was the capital of the State ruled by Raja Jaipal. When Emperor Babar captured India in 1526 AD, he gave this city to the Afghans (Pathans) as a reward for their services which contributed to his victory; these Pathans constructed the forts or kots/ kasur that gave the city its name.

During the reign of Mughal Emperors Shahjahan and Aurangzeb, Kasur was glorified, and every rich man constructed his own palace in the city. In 1830 Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured Kasur and it was during the Sikh rule, in the year 1849, when the British took over control of Punjab.

The Imperial Gazetteer of India describes the Sikh conquests of the region as follows:

When the Sikhs rose to power they experienced great opposition from the Pathans of Kasur, and though the chiefs of the Bhangi Confederacy stormed the town in 1763 AD, and again in 1770, and succeeded in holding the entire principality, the Pathan leaders re-established their independence in 1794 and resisted many subsequent attacks. In 1807 Qutb-ud-Din Khan the last Pathan chieftain was forced to give way before Maharaja Ranjit Singh and retired to his property in Mamdot, beyond Sutlej. The town of Kasur was then incorporated in the kingdom of Lahore. (v.15, p.149)

Kasur was annexed into the British Raj in 1849. In 1867, the British constituted the Municipality of Kasur. It remained a tehsil of Lahore district with an Extra Assistant Commissioner in charge of the subdivision.

Kasur remained a tehsil of Lahore district till July 1, 1967, when Kasur and Chunian Tehsils were detached from Lahore and formed into one district. In the 1990s, Chunian tehsil was divided into 2 tehsils: the Chunian and Pattoki tehsils. In 2008, another town, Kot Radha Kishan of Kasur tehsil, was notified as a tehsil. Now the district is comprised of 4 tehsils.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Ganda Singh Wala (a border village in Kasur) was the principal road crossing between India and Pakistan, but was replaced by the border crossing at Wagah which is further north of Kasur district, in Lahore.

Figure 1.4 Ganda Singh Wala Border, Kasur

Figure 1.5 Gurdwara Sahib, Daftu, Kasur

Governmental Structure; Kasur district

At the Federal level, Kasur district is allocated a set number of representatives in both the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly:

• Number of seats in the National Assembly 5
• Number of seats in the Provincial Assembly 10

Under the Local Government and Community Development Kasur district has 1 District Council and 10 Municipal Committees as follows:

• Kasur
• Kot Radha Kishan
• Pattoki
• Chunian
• Mustafa Abad
• Phool Nagar
• Khundian
• Raja Jung
• Kanganpur
• Ellahabad

Administrative Divisions; Kasur district

Kasur district covers an area of 3,995 km² and is subdivided into 04 tehsils and 141 Union Councils as follows:

Chunian Tehsil	27 Union Councils
Kasur Tehsil	55 Union Councils
Kot Radha Kishan Tehsil	28 Union Councils
Pattoki Tehsil	31 Union Councils

Table 1.2 Kasur Administrative Divisions

[1] The Delhi Sultanate was a Muslim Kingdom based in Delhi. This Sultanate consisted of 5 dynasties: Mamluks (1206-90), Khiljis (1290-1320), Tughlaq (1320-1414), Sayyid (1414-51), and Lodhis (1451-1526)

Heritage/Cultural Sites/Tourist Attractions; Kasur district

In 1592, 12 principal residential colonies were built under the reign of Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, as a consequence of the special dispensations extended from the Mughals to the Pathans. Each residential colony was situated inside a fort or kot. Each kot in itself is small but together they form a considerable town. The names of the 12 kots or Qasrs (for which it is believed the Kasur district has been named) are:

• Kot Pacca Qila; Kasur district
• Kot Nawan Qila; Kasur district
• Kot Azam Khan; Kasur district
• Kot Ghulam Mohammad Mohayyudin Khan; Kasur district
• Kot Murad Khan; Kasur district
• Kot Haleem Khan; Kasur district
• Kot PeeraanMohammad Khan; Kasur district
• Kot Fateh Din Khan; Kasur district
• Kot Usman Khan; Kasur district
• Kot Badar-ud-Din Khan; Kasur district
• Kot Ruken Din Khan; Kasur district
• Kot Nawab Hussain Khan; Kasur district
• Qila Ganja Kalan; Kasur district

The ruins of these forts are still extant.

Other important places in Kasur district include:

• Changa Manga; Kasur district: This is the largest irrigated forest of Pakistan. It houses a tramway which was constructed in 1921 for transporting timber. Now it is a source of recreation. In addition, there are hanging bridges, cafeterias, swimming pools, and amusement parks in the forest
• Balloki Headworks; Kasur district: The headworks on River Ravi in the Kasur district is a good picnic spot. The area sports a Safari Park and a family resort called Rana Safari Park and Resort, where boat rides can also be enjoyed
• Ganda Singh Wala Border; Kasur district: The border point is located in Ganda Singh village, which was named after Ganda Singh. The village lies on the border with East Punjab. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was the principal border crossing by road between India and Pakistan, but was replaced by the border crossing at Wagah in Lahore, which is a little further north of Kasur. Since 1970, there has been a daily Retreat Ceremony at the border crossing, similar to the Wagah Border Ceremony. This ceremony is a smaller one, attended mostly by local Punjabis on either side of the border
• Kasur Museum; Kasur district: This museum showcases handwritten Quran Manuscripts, fossils from Chakwal, jewelry items, and artifacts from the Sikh period as well as photographs related to the Pakistan Movement
• Sikh Gurdwara; Kasur district: This gurdwara (Sikh temple) is situated in the Moti Masjid Mohalla (locality) of the new Kanganpur city. The domed building of the Gurdwara is very beautiful and strong. This Gurdwara is also known as Gurdwara Principal Sardar Bara Singh Wadhawa
• Shrine of Baba Kamal Chisti (Protected under Government of Pakistan Laws; Kasur district): According to various traditions, Baba Kamal Chisti was born in a small area near Ferozepur, while others say that he was born in Kasur.His shrine is located near the Kasur Museum, on top of an embankment. People from all over the country visit his shrine daily and an annual Urs is held during which the shrine is visited by people from all over the world
• Shrine of Hazrat Bulleh Shah (protected under Government of Pakistan Laws); Kasur district: Bulleh Shah was a sufi saint and poet. He was, and still is, one of the most celebrated sufi poets of the region. He died in 1758; his shrine is in the shape of a mosque. Green and white tiles are used in the construction of the shrine
• Jinno Wali Masjid; Kasur district: The mosque is from the Sher Shah Suri period and is protected under Government of Pakistan Laws

Figure 1.15 Sikh Gurdwara, Kanganpur City

Figure 1.16 Shrine of Baba Kamal Chishti, Kasur

Figure 1.17 Shrine of Bulleh Shah

Figure 1.18 Gurdwara at Lalyani District, Kasur

Figure 1.19 Kasur Museum, Kasur

Figure 1.20 Jinno Wali Masjid, Kasur

Figure 1.21 Tomb of Hazrat Makhdoom Hafiz, Kasur

Topography of Kasur District

The district is bounded by the River Ravi in the northwest and River Sutlej in the southeast. The old course of River Beas bifurcates the district into two equal parts that are locally known as Hithar and Uttar or Mithan Majha and Khara Majha. The low lying or riverine area (Hithar area) is generally inundated during Monsoon season, and the upland area (Uttar area) is a flat plain sloping from northeast to southwest. Both areas have a height differential of approximately 5.5 m. The natural surface elevation of the district is 198 m above mean sea level. The east and west ends of the district comprise the flood plains of River Sutlej and Ravi, characterized by the breaching of looping river channels braided around the meander bars.

Rivers, Streams, and Lakes; Kasur district

The River Sutlej, off-taking from the mountains of Tibet in China, flows through the Indian State of Himachal Pardesh, as well as Haryana and others before entering Pakistan through Kasur district. It flows in the district up to the Sulemanki Headworks, and then flows along the Indo-Pakistan border, before joining the other tributaries of River Indus at Panjnad.

The River Ravi enters Lahore district, and after flowing for 55 km, leaves the district at the borders of Kasur district. These two rivers, thus, form the southeast and northwest borders of the district respectively.

Other smaller perennial rivers of the district include the Rohi Nullah, Katora Nala, Sem Nala, and Ghana Nala.

Ghamaghar Lake is an important brackish water lake in the district. This lake is on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

Forests; Kasur district

The following table shows the total forest area under various departments in Kasur district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Forest Area	13,782 A	Under Provincial Govt.	– A
Reserved Forests District Govt.	– A	Reserved Forests	13,782 A
Linear Plantation	996 km

Table 1.3 Kasur Forests

The district is home to Irrigated Plantation forests. Changa Manga is the largest irrigated forest of Pakistan and is located in Kasur district. The Changa Manga forest was developed for the production of mulberry timber for the sports industry, and shisham timber for the furniture industry. The poplar tree is also cultivated in the forest.

Most of the Border Belt forests are within the boundaries of the district.

Other Irrigated Plantation forests include Rakh Deosial and Rakh Bhunike.

Figure 1.6 Changa Manga Forest, Kasur

Figure 1.7 Timber Transportation Network, Changa Manga Forest, Kasur

Soils; Kasur district

This soil of the riverine (hithar) area is generally sandy and rich in plant nutrients. The soils of the upland (uttar) area are sandy.

Climate; Kasur district

Kasur district is located in the Semi-Arid Subtropical Climate Zone, where intense summer heat and cold weather are experienced. The summer season starts in April and continues to September, with May-June being the hotter months and June being the hottest. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures for June in Kasur are 40 °C and 27 °C respectively, and the temperature may even go up to 45 °C. The winter season lasts from November to March with January being the coldest month. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures during this month are 20 °C and 6 °C respectively.

The Monsoon period is July to September. Average annual rainfall is 500 mm, with more than two-thirds of this rainfall occurring during the Monsoon period.

Seismic Activity/Seismicity; Kasur district

The district belongs to Zone 2A of the Seismic Zone Map of Pakistan which means minor to no damage due to earthquakes.

Population of Kasur District

The following table shows the population of Kasur district as per the 2017 Census:

District/Tehsil	Area km2	Population	Male%	Female%	Urban%	Growth Rate %
Kasur District	3,995	3494,556	51.8	48.2	25.8	2.03
Kasur Tehsil	1,891	1,334,653
Chunian Tehsil	1,212	825,684
Pattoki Tehsil	892	934,329
Kot Radha Kishan	Data included in Kasur Tehsil	360,330

Table 1.4 Kasur Population Statistics

Religions; Kasur district[1]

Muslims	95.5%
Christians	4.4%
Hindus	Negligible %
Ahmadis	0.1%
Scheduled Castes	0.1%
Others	Negligible %

Table 1.5 Kasur Religious Distribution

Languages; Kasur district[2]

Urdu	6.2%
Punjabi	88.2%
Sindhi	Negligible %
Pushto	0.1%
Balochi	Negligible %
Seraiki	0.7%
Others	4.7% (includes Brahvi etc.)

Table 1.6 Kasur Languages

[1] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

[2] 1998 Census; 2017 Census data has not been made public yet.

Economic Activity – Economic Infrastructure

Economic Activity; Kasur District

Kasur district is renowned for its hide tanning industry, in addition to the textile and food industries. The major employers of the district are:

• Agriculture with its Allied Livestock Breeding, Fishing etc. (31.9%)
• Manufacturing (7.6%)
• Construction Laborers (39.1%)
• Wholesale/ Retail, Hotels/ Restaurant (8.3%)
• Community Social & Personal Services (7.3%)
• Others (5.8%)

Land Use; Kasur district

The following table shows the major land use statistics of the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Reported Area	395,000 HA	Cultivated Area	323,000 HA
Net Sown	267,000 HA	Current Fallows	56,000 HA
Un-Cultivated Area	72,000 HA	Culturable Waste	5,000 HA
Forest Area	6,000 HA

Table 1.7 Kasur Land Use Statistics

Irrigation Network; Kasur district

Canals providing irrigation waters to the district are controlled by the Balloki Headworks on the River Ravi. The Lower Bari Doab Canal and the Balloki-Sulemanki Link Canal irrigate Chunian tehsil. The BRB[1] Link Canal and Depalpur Canal irrigate parts of Kasur and Chunian Tehsils. Besides these, there is a network of distributary canals in the district, notable ones of which are Chaharke Minor, Chaharke Sub-Minor, Katora Branch, Dhing Shah Minor, Chunian Distributary, Dobli Minor, and Mirali Minor.

The following table shows irrigation statistics for Kasur as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Irrigated Area	483,000 HA	Un-irrigated Area	– HA
Canal Irrigated	190,000 HA	Dug Wells Irrigated	2,000 HA
Tube Well Irrigated Area	87,000 HA	Canal Wells	10,000 HA
Canal Tube Wells	192,000 HA	Others	2,000 HA

Table 1.11 Kasur Irrigation Statistics

Agriculture; Kasur district

The district belongs to the Northern Irrigated Plains Agro-Ecological Zone of Pakistan. Almost 32% of the total population of the district is engaged in agriculture and its allied livestock breeding. Irrigated areas are irrigated through canals and tube wells. Main crops of the district include sugarcane, wheat, rice, maize, cotton, jowar, bajra, moong, masoor, maash, rapeseed & mustard, sunflower, barley, gram, sesanum, guar seed, linseed, sun hemp, and fenugreek.

Fruits of the district include citrus, guavas, mango, peaches, jaamun, phalsa, leechee, bananas, plum, pomegranates, pears, and apricots.

Main vegetables are potatoes, onions, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, okra, turnips, bottle gourds, peas, brinjal, chilies, tomatoes, coriander, mint, and turmeric.

Figure 1.8 Fenugreek Fields, Kasur

Figure 1.9 Turmeric Plant

Livestock Breeding; Kasur district

Livestock breeding is the second most important economic activity of the district. The following table shows the livestock population as of the 2010 Census of Livestock (as quoted in Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19):

Cattle	303,000 Heads	Buffaloes	779,000 Heads	Sheep	95,000 Heads
Goats	309,000 Heads	Camels	– Heads	Horses	4,444 Heads
Mules	3,680 Heads	Asses	42,173 Heads

Table 1.8 Kasur Livestock Statistics

Nili Ravi cow and thoroughbred horses are indigenous breeds of the district.

Poultry Farms; Kasur district

According to Table 17 (Number of Commercial Poultry Farms and Number of Birds by Size of Flock) there are 1,081 commercial poultry farms in the district. In addition there are 340 broiler, 50 layer and 08 poultry breeding farms in the district (privately owned)[1].

Fishing; Kasur district

Fishing is carried out in Head Balloki Pond Area, except in the Reserved Areas, as well as Dhand Laloo Khichhi (Chunian tehsil), and Nala Pakkiwala (Chunian tehsil).[2] Most of this fish is consumed locally.

Bee Keeping/ Apiculture; Kasur district

In Pakistan, honey bee colonies were introduced in the 1980s, and since then more than 300,000 honey bee colonies have been successfully established in Pakistan, including Kasur district.

[1] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

[2] Department of Fisheries, Punjab Manual

 

Figure 1.25 Balloki Headworks, Kasur District

Figure 1.26 BRB Canal in Kasur

[1] BRB Canal stands for Bombawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal.

Minerals and Mining; Kasur district

There are no minerals in the district.

Industry and Manufacturing; Kasur district

Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) has established one Industrial Estate in Kasur district, and there are 689[1] small, medium, and large industrial units in the district. Industry-wise number of units in the district is as follows:

Type of Industry	Units	Type of Industry	Units
A.C./Refrigerators	01	Batteries	02
Chemical	15	Dairy Products	05
Drugs & Pharmaceuticals	06	Flour Mills	12
Fruit Juices	04	GI/MS Pipes	02
Glue	01	Ice Cream	02
Jute Textile	01	Knitted Textile	10
Leather Products	06	Motor Cycle/Rickshaws	02
Paper/Paper Board	08	Paper Cone	01
Pencils/Ball Points	02	Polyester Yarn	02
Poultry Feed	06	Power Generation	10
Rice Mills	13	Sugar	03
Tanneries	364	Tents	06
Textile Composites	08	Textile Made Ups	01
Textile Processing	13	Textile Spinning	103
Textile Weaving (Mill Sector)	71	Tractors	01
Vegetable Ghee/Oil	03	Wire & Cable	03
Zips	01	LPG Gas	01

Table 1.9 Kasur List of Industries

Figure 1.10 Hide Tanning, Kasur

Figure 1.11 Khes Cloth Weaver

Trade (Import/Export); Kasur district

The major exports of the district are leather and leather products, which are traded both nationally and internationally. The district also trades in agricultural produce.

Figure 1.12 Al-Shareef Market, Kasur city

Handicrafts; Kasur district

Handicrafts of the district include handmade gift items such as embroidered clothes, leather goods, handbags, hand woven lungis (a cloth worn as a trouser by men in rural areas of Punjab), durries (a thick bed cover), moorhas (handmade stools), peeras (low stools made with cane and bamboo), and shoes.

[1] Directorate of Industry, Punjab: Pre-investment Study, Kasur District 2012; Latest available.

 

Economic Infrastructure; Kasur District

The district headquarter is linked with its tehsil headquarters and other parts of Pakistan through black topped roads. The district is also linked to other regions via railways.

Road Statistics; Kasur district

Pakistan’s main national highway, the N-5, passes through the Pattoki Tehsil. The following table shows the road statistics of the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Total Road Length	2893.3 km
National Highways	53.1 km
Provincial Highways	2,630.4 km
Motorways	– km
Sugar Cess Roads	209.8 km

Table 1.10 Kasur Road Statistics

Some of the important road links of the district include:

• Kasur-Raiwind Road
• Kasur-Depalpur Road
• Kasur-Ferozepur Road
• Lahore-Kasur Road
• Ganda Singh Wala Road
• Kasur-Pattoki Road

Figure 1.23 Lahore-Kasur Road

Rail and Airways; Kasur district

There are 6 railway stations[1] in the district. All the main towns of the district are connected to each other and the rest of Pakistan by rail, including Lahore and Pakpattan districts.

There is no commercial or military airport/airbase in the district. The nearest airport is the Lahore International Airport (Allama Iqbal International Airport).

Figure 1.24 Kasur Railway Station

Radio and Television; Kasur district

There are 2 privately owned FM Radio Stations in Kasur. Even though there is no TV station in Kasur, TV can be viewed through boosters and cable.

Telecommunications; Kasur district

Pakistan Telecommunications Ltd. has established a network of telephone lines. In all, there are 50 telephone exchanges operating in the district, ranging in capacity from 48 lines[2] to 5,734 lines. In addition, a number of cellular companies also provide their services in the district.

Post Offices/ Courier Services; Kasur district

There are nearly 156 offices[3] of Pakistan Post in the district, with 20 branches in Chunian tehsil, 94 in Kasur, and 42 in Pattoki (Data for Kot Radha Kishan Tehsil is added in Kasur tehsil).

Banking/ Financial Institutions; Kasur district

There are a total of 67 branches[4] of various banks in the district, with 16 in Chunian tehsil, 32 in Kasur, and 19 in Pattoki.

According to the List of Reporting Bank Branches by State Bank of Pakistan 2019, the following banks all have branches in the district:

• Bank Alfalah Ltd.
• Allied Bank Ltd.
• Bank Al Habib Ltd.
• Habib Bank Ltd.
• Habib Metropolitan Bank Ltd.
• KASB Bank Ltd.
• Muslim Commercial Bank Ltd.
• Meezan Bank Ltd.
• National Bank of Pakistan Ltd.
• National Investment Bank Ltd.
• Soneri Bank Ltd.
• Summit Bank Ltd.
• The Bank of Punjab Ltd.
• United Bank Ltd.
• Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd.

In all there are 106 branches of various conventional banks and 17 branches of different Islamic banks in the District.

Electricity and Gas; Kasur district

There are 13 grid stations[5] in the district, ranging in capacity from 66 KV to 220 KV. Natural Gas is available in Pattoki Tehsil.

[1] Pre-Investment Study Kasur District 2012, by Directorate of Industries Punjab; Latest available.

[2] Pre-Investment Study Kasur District 2012, by Directorate of Industries Punjab; Latest available.

[3] Pre-Investment Study Kasur District 2012, by Directorate of Industries Punjab; Latest available.

[4] Pre-Investment Study Kasur District 2012, by Directorate of Industries Punjab; Latest available.

[5] Pre-Investment Study Kasur District 2012, by Directorate of Industries Punjab; Latest available.

Educational Institutions; Kasur district

The following table shows the details of educational facilities of the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Institution	Boys/Girls	Institution	Boys/Girls
Primary Schools	551/506	Middle Schools	113/141
Secondary Schools	89/77	Higher Secondary	07/21
Degree colleges	10/11	Other Higher Secondary[1]	-/02
Other Degree Colleges[2]	08/07	Technical Training Institutes[3]	03/02
Vocational Institutes[4]	-/03	Commercial Training Institutes[5]	03/-
Universities[6]	01	Govt. Mosque Schools	03/01
Medical Schools	–	Engineering Schools	–

Table 1.12 Kasur Educational Institutions

A large number of private schools and colleges also provide education in the district.

Healthcare Facilities; Kasur district

The District Health Officer (DHO) is overall in charge of health services provided in the district. The DHO is supported by doctors, paramedics, technicians, and other support staff. The following table shows the number of health institutions in the district as per Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19:

Institution	No./Beds	Institution	No./Beds
Government Hospitals	07/351	Dispensaries	24/-
Rural Health Centers	12/242	Basic Health Units	82/164
T B Clinics	01/-	Mother Child Health Centers	08/-
Private Hospitals	–	Sub-Health Centers	–
Private Health Care Providers[7]	17

Table 1.13 Kasur Health Care Institutions

Figure 1.27 Bhatti International Teaching Hospital, Kasur City

Policing; Kasur district

The Deputy Inspector General Police looks after Sheikhupura Region which comprises of Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, and Kasur districts. Kasur district is further subdivided into 4 subdivisions and 20 police stations.[8] The police force in each region is headed by the District Police Officer who is assisted by a varying number of Superintendents and Deputy Superintendents of Police.

[1] Includes Private, Federal and Schools owned by PAF and other organizations

[2] Includes Private, Federal and Schools owned by PAF and other organizations

[3] Pre-Investment Study 2012, Kasur District, Directorate of Industries, Punjab; Latest available.

[4] Pre-Investment Study 2012, Kasur District, Directorate of Industries, Punjab; Latest available.

[5] Pre-Investment Study 2012, Kasur District, Directorate of Industries, Punjab; Latest available.

[6] Campus of University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

[7] Three Year Rolling Plan 2010-13, District Kasur. GoPunjab; Latest available.

[8] Punjab Development Statistics 2018-19

Environment and Biodiversity; Kasur District

The district is relatively less industrialized, and thus, the air quality is good, but most of the tanneries dispose of their waste into the River Chenab and other rivers and streams of the district. Hence, the water quality has been deteriorating over time.

Flora and Fauna; Kasur district

Flora; Kasur district

Trees like the kikar (Acacia arbica), shisham or tahli (Dalbergia sissoo), ber (Zizyphus jujuba), toot (Morus marlaccae), sharin (Albizzia lebbek), dharek (Malia azerdarach), phulahi (Acacia modesta), neem (Melia indica), and peepul (Ficus indica) are planted for shade. The growth in Rakhs (forests) is composed mainly of three kinds of trees: jhand (Prosopis spicigera), karril (Capparis aphylla), and vann or jal (Salvadora obeoides). Occasionally, peelu (Acacia loucophhloea) and farash (Tamarix articulate) are also found. Pilchi (Tamarix gallio) is found on moist sandy soil along the rivers, and is used for wicker-work, and basket making among other activities.

The aquatic flora of Ghamaghar Lake and Rasul Barrage Game Reserve consists of Carex fedia, Juncus sp, Typha angustata, Vallisneria spiralis, and Zannichellia palustris as well as Hydrilla verticillata, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea lotus, Phragmites karka, Potamogeton crispus, P. pectinatus, Vallisneria spiralis, and Zannichellia palustris.

The natural vegetation of the surrounding plains is Tropical Thorn Forest, dominated by species such as kikar or babul (Acacia nilotica), phulai (Prosopis cineraria), mesquite (P. juliflora; introduced), vann or jal (Salvadora oleoides), Salsola foetida, Suaeda fruticosa, shisham (Dalbergia sissoo; introduced), Cynodon dactylon (type of weed), Cymbopogon jwarancusa and Triticum sp (cultivated).

The hills of the Salt Range to the northwest support a Subtropical Semi-Evergreen Forest dominated by wild olive (Olea ferruginea), kikar/babul (Acacia modesta) and sanatha (Dodonea viscose).

The natural vegetation of the plains to the southeast is Tropical Thorn Forest with species such as kikar/babul (Acacia nilotica), karir (Capparis deciduas), jand (Prosopis cineraria), ghaz (Tamarix aphylla), ber (Zizyphus mauritiana), ber (Z. nummularia), milkweed (Calotropis procera), Eleusine compressa, Erianthus sp, Panicum antidotale, and Saccharum spp. (types of grasses). Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) and kikar/babul (Acacia nilotica) have been extensively planted along roads and around agricultural land.

Fauna; Kasur district

Wolf, pigs, peafowls, and jackal are the main wild animals in the district. Wolves are more common in the lowland wastes of Chunian tehsil; jackals are common in all areas of the district. Bengal fox and the small Indian Mongoose are also found in Kasur district.

The Changa Manga Wildlife Park houses important endangered fauna, providing them sanctuary. The Rasul Barrage Game Reserve and Ghamaghar Lake are both bird watchers’ paradises and are home to a large variety of wintering water fowl. The birds in these reservoirs include grey and black partridges, little grebe, cormorants, egrets, Eurasian teal, pintail, common pochard, greyleg goose, gadwall, purple swamp hen, and the darter.

Mammals common in the Ghamaghar Lake and Rasul Barrage Game Reserve include pigs, golden jackal, and jungle cat. Fish species include knife fish, rohu, gonnia, and mori. Other aquatic fauna include medical leeches, shrimps, frogs, turtles, and Indian flat shell turtles.

Protected Areas and Endangered Wildlife; Kasur district

Following are the main Wildlife Protected Areas in Kasur district:

• The Changa Manga Irrigated Forest Reserve Kasur district: provides sanctuary to Nilgai, pig, peafowl, hare, hog deer, jungle cat, wild boar, golden jackal, axis deer (axis axis), and There is a Vulture Center in the forest reserve where Asiatic Vultures are being restocked in an effort to bolster the vulture population, especially the Gyps Bengalensis vulture
• Rakh Deosial and Rakh Bhunike Irrigated Forests Kasur district
• Ghamaghar Lake, a protected lake Kasur district, is a brackish lake of international importance. It is a wetland and provides sanctuary to a large number of migratory birds that frequent the lake during the winters
• Rasool Barrage Kasur district is also an important wetland providing sanctuary to game birds

Figure 1.13 Nilgai in Changa Manga Forest, Kasur

Figure 1.14 Gyps Vulture, Changa Manga, Kasur