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District Muzaffargarh
Muzarffargarh is about 34 Kilometers away from Multan is an important historical city of Pakistan. This is the most underdeveloped region with little or no social and physical infrastructure to promote development. The people of the region are backward and deprived. There is very little social cohesion among them due to marginalization during the colonial period and the stranglehold of feudalism since independence.
It has an approximate population of 2,636,000 spread over an area of 8435 square Km with a population density of 320 person per square kilometeres. It forms a strip between the river Chanab on its east and Indus River on its West. It is one of oldest districts of Punjab.It comprises of fallowing four tehsils, namely Muzaffargarh, Alipur, Kot Adu and Jatoi.
The district has a total Metalled road-length of 1084 Kilometers. The district is linked with Multan, Rajanpur, D.G.Khan and Rahimyar Khan Districts through metalled roads
the district is linked with Multan and D.G.Khan districts through railway network. Under ground water resources are adequate in the district. The sub soil water throughout the district except the Belt in between Chowk Sarwar Shaheed and Rangpur is sweet where the sub soil water is brackish. Muzaffargarh (65%) in the Punjab is the lowest district in the province having electricity connections.
There are two nullahs available in the district. However, permission from Irrigation and Power Department, Government of the Punjab is necessary for disposal of effluent after pre-treatment. There are 11 grid stations in the district (ranging in capacity from 66 KV to 132 KV). Natural gas is available in Muzaffargarh City, Kot Adu and Khangarh.
Major crops fruits and vegetables are Wheat, Sugarcane and Cotton; Mangoes, Dates, Citrus and Pomegranate; and Onion, Carrot, Cauliflower and Peas. 102110 acres of land is covered by forests.
Location & Boundaries
District Muzaffargarh lies in the form of strip between the river Chenab and Indus, which passes along the Eastern and Western boundaries respectively of the district and form a triangle at Alipur tehsil of the district. The district is bounded on the North by district Layyah, on the South by Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan Districts across the river Chenab. Districts Multan and Khanewal are on the Eastern side of district Muzaffargarh, across the river Chenab. District Jhang also touches on North-East. While Dera Gahzi Khan and Rajanpur districts lie on the Western side across the river Indus.
Area
District Muzaffargarh is spread over an area of 8,249 square kilometers comprising of following four thesils: -
Muzaffargarh
Alipur
Kot Adu
Jatoi
Muzaffar Garh comprises 93 union councils are as under;
|
U/C NAME
|
NUMBER
|
U/C NAME
|
NUMBER
|
|
Kot addu city - I
|
01
|
Ganga
|
48
|
|
Kot addu city – II
|
02
|
Aloday wali
|
49
|
|
Kot addu city – III
|
03
|
Mahera Sharki
|
50
|
|
Patal
|
04
|
Utera sandila
|
51
|
|
Bait Qaim Wala
|
05
|
Manik pur
|
52
|
|
Hinjrai
|
06
|
Dareen
|
53
|
|
Daira Deen Pannah
|
07
|
Usman koria
|
54
|
|
Ehsan Pur
|
08
|
Kharak
|
55
|
|
Meer Pur Bhagil
|
09
|
Shahjamal
|
56
|
|
Chak No 632/TDA
|
10
|
Ahmad mohana
|
57
|
|
Patal Munda
|
11
|
Sharif chajra
|
58
|
|
Chak No 547/TDA
|
12
|
Nohan wali
|
59
|
|
Chak No 565 / TDA
|
13
|
Karam dad Qureshi
|
60
|
|
Chowk Sarwar Shahid
|
14
|
Wan pitafi
|
61
|
|
Shadi Khan Munda
|
15
|
Basira
|
62
|
|
Pati Ghulam Ali
|
16
|
Gul wala
|
63
|
|
Wandhir
|
17
|
Binda ishaq
|
64
|
|
Kashif abad Khar Sharki
|
18
|
Dammar wala shumali
|
65
|
|
Mehmod kot
|
19
|
Beer band
|
66
|
|
Budh
|
20
|
Sheher sultan
|
67
|
|
Ghazi Ghat
|
21
|
Jhalarin
|
68
|
|
Kasba Gujrat
|
22
|
Shahbaz pur
|
69
|
|
Alu Rid
|
23
|
Saba-i-wala
|
70
|
|
Thatha Gurmani
|
24
|
Jhugi wala
|
71
|
|
Sheikh Umer
|
25
|
Ram Pur
|
72
|
|
Dogra Colasra
|
26
|
Jatoi city
|
73
|
|
Manhan
|
27
|
Jatoi shumali
|
74
|
|
Sanawan
|
28
|
Wains
|
75
|
|
Chak Farzi
|
29
|
Kotla gamon
|
76
|
|
Rang pur
|
30
|
Belay wala
|
77
|
|
Murad abad
|
31
|
Bait mir hazar khan
|
78
|
|
Khan pur Baga Shir
|
32
|
Bakaini
|
79
|
|
Bhuta pur City- V
|
33
|
Mud wala
|
80
|
|
Urban City – IV
|
34
|
Yaki wali
|
81
|
|
Urban City – III
|
35
|
Ghalwan
|
82
|
|
Urban City – II
|
36
|
Mulan wali
|
83
|
|
Urban City – I
|
37
|
Baz wala
|
84
|
|
Taleery
|
38
|
Seet pur
|
85
|
|
Jagat Pur
|
39
|
Sultan pur
|
86
|
|
Thatha Qureshi
|
40
|
Langar wah
|
87
|
|
Khan Garh City
|
41
|
Khan gar Doma
|
88
|
|
Gerey wahin
|
42
|
Murad pur janobi
|
89
|
|
Umer pur janobi
|
43
|
Khair pur sadat
|
90
|
|
Ghazanfar Garh
|
44
|
Fateh pur janobi
|
91
|
|
Brahim wali
|
45
|
Ali pur city
|
92
|
|
Manka bhuta
|
46
|
Ali wali
|
93
|
|
Ruhilan Wali
|
47
|
|
|
Area classification is as under
|
Type of Area
|
Area in Acers
|
|
Total
|
2,228,947
|
|
Cultivated
|
831,622
|
|
Cultural Waste
|
495,773
|
|
Forest
|
34,347
|
|
Water Logged
|
867,205
|
Physical Features and Topography
The northern parts of the districts comprises of Thal desert almost half of which has been brought under cultivation through the construction of Thal Canal. In the remaining portion of the district old method of irrigation i.e. inundation from the rivers has given way to irrigation by the regular canals. There are two major canal systems in the district excluding the Thal Canal. The Muzafargarh canal originating from the Tounsa barrage irrigates the western portion of the districts. Rajanpur canal which originates from the Tounsa head works irrigates the eastern portion of the districts.
River Indus and Chanab flow on its western and eastern sides respectively. The riverine part of the district may be further divided into three parts. The first is cooperatively narrow strip along the both rivers. Where the summer floods are so high that no Khrif crop can be grown and Rabi can be matured without irrigation. Inside this part is the area, where the floods are less violent, and a little Kharif can be grown in the highest lands.
The eastern part of the district where the soil has been deposited by the river Chanab, is of great natural fertility, the rest of the district is Indus sand, inferior to the Chanab silt, though almost every where good crops can be grown under favorable conditions. The water table is high where the natural run-ways of surface water has been stopped by railway, roads, canal channels and embankments, is water logged and where water-logging continues for a number of years, saltpeter rises to the surface and the soil become unfit for cultivation.
Weather
Climate is extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. The summer from April to September is very hot. The winter from mid November to end of January is sufficiently cold. The spring commences from early February and continues till mid of April. When the temperature starts rising rapidly, the monsoon usually breaks during July and August, when moderate showers of rain are received. The month of May, June and July are dry and the hottest, when the temperature soars up to 51 centigrade.
Rainfall
District Muzafargarh receives 21 mm average rainfall annually.
Agriculture and other related sectors
Cotton, wheat, rice and sugarcane are the cash crops of the district while mangoes, dates and pomegranate are the
Major fruits grown in the district.
The forest area in the district is found on the right bank of river Chenab, left bank of River Indus or at the confluence of both rivers. The forest area is divided into irrigated forest (61, 925 acres) and riverine forest (245; 77 acres). The trees are also found along the roads (352 kilometers) and along canals (2000 Kilometers)
The district is rich in fisheries and offers lot of potential due to availability of water from two rivers. Under ground water resources are adequate in the district. The sub soil water throughout the district except the Belt in between Chowk Sarwar Shaheed and Rangpur is sweet where the sub soil water is brackish. Currently the ground water contamination is the big issue for city area of the Muzafgargarh.
Population
According to Census 1998, the total population of the district was 26, 36,000. The district is rural in nature as some 88% of the population lives in rural areas. In 1998, there were 975 Mauzas or villages. Of these villages 143 villages had a population of more than five thousands, 209 had two to five thousands, 176 had one to two thousands, 404 had population less than 1000 while 43 villages were uninhabitable.
Religion and Ethnicity
Almost all the population of the district is Muslim with only 0.6% population belonged to non Muslim religions. In rural areas some 90% population speak Siraiki followed by 6.6% who spoke Punjabi.
Economics
According to census 1998, in rural areas 24.2% population was economically active (45% male and 1.8% female) while 30.6% (62% females and 1.6% males) population was involved in unpaid domestic work. The unemployment in the district (1998 census) was quite high, 21% especially among the male population. In rural areas, 43.7% population is employed in the agriculture sector while 38% population is earning its livelihood from elementary occupations. Some 60% population is self employed.
Housing
According to census 1998, 67% housing units were constructed of unbaked bricks and clay mortar while 63% housing units used wood or bamboo as the ceiling or roof material. 88% housing units are depended on hand pumps for household water needs. Electricity is available to only 46% households in the rural areas. Some 80% rural households were using traditional fuels for cooking. 90% households in the rural areas don’t have an access to latrine facility.
Major issues in the district
Flooding in River Chenab and Indus
Drainage issues to ill planning of infrastructure development
Large tracts of agriculture land are affected by water logging and salinity which result in low productivity or degradation of otherwise fertile soils. The problem is found to be severe where the natural drainage pattern has been disrupted by railway lines, roads, canals and embankments.
Deforestation and razing of natural vegetation especially in the desert area due to land use change- especially agriculture.
Ground water contamination in the city area (mentioned in few studies conducted internationally)
Due to heavy concentration of polluting industries in the district thermal power stations and a large number of textile and sugar mills, a number of environmental issues have been developed affecting crops, human health, air quality and water resources.
High levels of unemployment and underemployment both in rural and urban areas
Issues of landlessness and tenancy
Lack of alternative and sustainable livelihood options
Lack of education and health facilities
Comparative Facts
Facts about Muzaffargarh District according to Census Report 1998 are as follows,
Muzaffargarh is the district whose population is biggest in the country that is most vulnerable to flood disasters (748,328 persons according to 1998 census).
Muzaffargarh is among the two districts that are at highest risk for food insecurity.
Ranks 33rd out of 34 Districts in Punjab in Poverty and Deprivation Ranking.
Maximum Population Annual Growth Rate in all Punjab (3.38%).
2nd Districts in Punjab having maximum annual growth rate in population density (76%).
Population Density is 320 persons/square kilometer.
5th in Punjab having more rural population.
2nd having more female homeless population ratio in Punjab (47.86%).
2nd District in Punjab having lowest literacy rate. Total literacy rate is 28.5% with male ratio 40.9% while female ration is 14.8%.
3784 persons are home less. (male: 1973, female: 1811)
Average house hold size 7.3%.
2nd in Punjab with more average occupancy rate (3.8%).
People of this area have minimum trends to migrate to other areas; similarly people of other areas have minimum trends to migrate here.
90 % rural population has no latrine and bathrooms.
Out of 1879 primary schools: 374 Shelter less, non-functional & dangerous schools. 284 Single teacher schools.
Ratio of primary to middle 13:1; primary to high 19:1; and primary to higher secondary schools is 235: 1
Muzaffargarh (65%) in the Punjab, is the lowest district in the province having electricity connections.
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