Kanraj Tehsil

Kanraj, also spelled as Kanrach, (, ) is an administrative subdivision (tehsil) in Lasbela District, located in the southeastern part of Balochistan, Pakistan. According to the 2023 national census, the tehsil has a population of 15,996, dispersed across 88 rural settlements. Administratively, Kanraj comprises one Union Council, with the town of Kanraj serving as its administrative centre.

The area is notable for its mineral resources, particularly zinc and lead, which are extracted at the Duddar mine. The mine has an annual production capacity of approximately 500,000 tonnes, making it a significant contributor to the local economy despite broader challenges in infrastructure and public service provision.

Geography

Kanraj spans an area of approximately 1,190 square kilometres. It borders the tehsils of Aranji and Saroona in Khuzdar District to the north and east, and Uthal and Bela Tehsils to the south and to the west. The landscape is predominantly arid and rugged, consisting of hilly terrain and seasonal riverbeds. A key natural feature is the Kanraj River, which supports limited agriculture and local biodiversity.

Climate

The tehsil experiences a arid climate (Köppen classification: BWh). During summer, particularly from April to July, average temperatures range between and , with extreme highs reaching up to . Winters are short and mild, with average daytime temperatures around , and nighttime lows occasionally dropping to . Annual rainfall is scarce, typically between and , concentrated during the July–September monsoon season. Vegetation is xerophytic, consisting of drought-resistant shrubs, scattered trees, and seasonal ground cover adapted to arid conditions.

Population

According to 2023 census, Tehsil had 15,996 population living in 2,722 households, all in rural areas. The overall literacy rate stands at 20.32%, with a significant gender gap: 30.80% for males and only 8.93% for females. These figures reflect ongoing challenges in education access, particularly for women and girls.

Languages

In Kanraj Tehsil, Brahui is the predominant language, spoken by approximately 7,235 individuals (~45.24%)% of the population). Other languages include Sindhi (4,690 speakers, ~29.31%), and Balochi (4,055 speakers, ~25.35%) with the remaining population speaking various other languages. It is important to note that the Sindhi reported in this context largely refers to Lasi, a distinct local dialect of Sindhi also spoken in the costal districts of Balochistan.

Economy

The zinc mine, located in Duddar in the Kanraj Valley, is the country's first major underground metal mining project and is operated by a Chinese state-owned enterprise since 2014. The mine holds an estimated 50 million tonnes of ore and employs a majority local workforce, though working conditions, low wages, and minimal local development remain concerns. Despite infrastructure improvements like road access, Kanraj remains one of the most underdeveloped areas in the district, with limited access to healthcare, education, and other public services—highlighting ongoing tensions between resource extraction and local benefit.

2022 Floods

The 2022 floods in Balochistan had a particularly severe impact on impact on Kanraj Tehsil, resulting in significant human losses, widespread destruction of civic infrastructure, and the devastation of entire harvests, including standing cotton and other crops. Recovery efforts have been slow, highlighting the region's vulnerability to climate-related disasters.

References

{{Tehsils of Balochistan
Tehsils of Balochistan, Pakistan
Tehsils of Lasbela District
Lasbela District