Written by Humayun Memon is a photographer based in Karachi. His fashion, editorial and photojournalism work has been published in a number of local and international magazines, including Vogue India, Express Tribune, SHE magazine and Libaas. He currently teaches photography at Habib University and is a visiting artist/speaker at the IVSAA PGD in photography. Read more by this writer |
Photo Essay: Balochistan’s MordorThe barren hills of Balochistan, Pakistan’s biggest but least populous province, bring to mind the vast mountain ranges of Mordor, controlled by the evil Sauron, in JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. On a Sunday last February, I went on a day trip to Hingol National Park and Nani Mandir arranged by a local travel group. A three hour drive from home, this was the first time I ventured out to this part of Pakistan. The largest National Park in Pakistan, located across the Makran coast in Balochistan, Hingol/Hungol National Park is a strange land with varying topography — forest and desert alike — home to many species including the endangered ibex, and several unidentified species of plant. I’m not sure I’ve ever been so wowed by the landscape this close to home. The photos I took barely do justice to what I saw sitting on top of the bus, on my day trip.
Walking on Kund Malir Beach – The waves go back to the sea leaving behind these shapes that somehow resemble the landscape around the beach.
The day’s find! A private little beach between the rocks.
These otherworldly forms are locally referred to as the ‘Burqa Mountain’.
Little huts by the Burqa Mountain.
Sighting of the day – Lucky enough to spot not one, but two wild ibex in their habitat, not decapitated and stuffed in someone’s drawing room.
Tolkien alert! Could Mordor be in Pakistan?
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