Written By Amna Hoth

Makran, once a princely state under a subsidiary alliance with British India, remained politically autonomous until the creation of Pakistan in 1947. The administrative changes led to the official end of Makran’s princely status during 1955. This resulted in its full integration into Balochistan province, which stands as Pakistan’s largest territorial division. The southern part of Balochistan contains Makran, which stretches along the Gulf of Oman coast to create a region known for its strategic position and natural variety.
Makran has not been developed as much as there are many other areas within Pakistan to develop into a tourist attraction. It is home to historically important ports and harbours and still has strong ties to the cultures of various regions throughout history. The vast number of clean, golden sandy beaches, beautiful historic cities where human habitation has occurred for a long period of time, and a unique coastal culture shaped through years of ocean-going trade has great potential for the development of Makran into a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourism, if the necessary investment is made and a comprehensive marketing strategy is put in place.
Makran’s landscape is unique as well, combining a number of very different landscapes not found together in any other coastal area within Pakistan. The peaceful beaches of Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, and Gwadar juxtaposed against the steep cliffs and barren desert landscape along the Arabian Sea provides a breathtaking and diverse visual experience as well as cultural and historic riches. Most of these areas haven’t been commercially exploited for tourism and thus have the potential to occur at all levels of mass tourist marketing.
Tourism is an important aspect of economic development for all countries; Makran has exceptional potential within this area. The development of a tourism sector allows for the creation of jobs, promotes local businesses, boosts the national economy through increased income, and aids in the development of infrastructure. In addition to the economic advantages, tourism also supports a cultural exchange by providing visitors with the opportunity to experience local culture and customs while allowing for the exposure of communities to cultures worldwide. Thus, through tourism, the international reputation of a nation is enhanced. By using tourism to their advantage, nations such as the Maldives, Turkey, UAE, and Thailand have succeeded in leveraging tourism for economic growth and preservation of natural resources.
The coastal town of Pasni provides an ideal and serene location for nature-tourism, due to the town’s unique environment, natural beaches, and existing fishing culture. Additionally, Jiwani is located within close proximity to the Iran-Pakistan border and has global significance because of its mangrove forests, wetlands and diverse marine life. Jiwani acts as a nesting area for endangered green sea turtles and therefore serves as an excellent example of eco-tourism or conservation.
In........

© The Patriot