Changa Manga: The Sherwood Forest of Pakistan

Changa Manga, established in 1860, covers about 5000 hectares and said to be the oldest hand-planted forest in the world.  (Lonely Planet Pakistan).  The forest was established for the growth of railroad ties for the train tracks and for fuel.  There is also a history of silk worm production in the past in the forest. The Park is named after two brothers who were the Robin Hoods of the area so you can think of the park as the Sherwood Forest where they hid.  

Janel Curry in Changa Manga Park, which is maintained by the Punjab Forest Department, Kasur Forest Division, and is one of the very few parks of its kind in Pakistan.

Today Changa Manga Park is maintained by the Punjab Forest Department, Kasur Forest Division, and is one of the very few parks of its kind in Pakistan.  I was hosted by the government irrigation district officials who also are important for the maintenance of the park and forest because the forest has only been grown through the provision of irrigation water.  They government has a guest house that is used by officials when they need to do work in the area, which provided a place for tea and lunch. 

Among the day’s activities that they provided for me were a ride on a narrow gauge railway which is now used for recreation but was part of the original logging operations, a camel ride around the zoo, boating on Lunar Lake and a walk across the suspension bridge.  And we ended the day with a wonderful meal with so many different flavors, followed by my receiving gifts from the area—beautiful pots, honey and Indian Saffron.  I want to thank all who hosted me, especially Ch. Llyas Hasan. Thank you for your gracious hospitality and for the one official bringing along his son who is studying in Australia to help translate!