The intriguing world of dinosaurs serves as a reminder of a time before people ever set foot on Earth. Fossils of these enormous animals have been found all over the world, giving us hints about the planet’s prehistoric past. These animals inhabited the earth millions of years ago. Pakistan today includes one such area where dinosaurs formerly roamed. Pakistan’s dinosaur past is both fascinating and little known, especially in light of fossil finds made in places like Balochistan. The dinosaurs that previously walked these countries, how they perished, and who was in charge of finding their remains in Pakistan are all thoroughly examined in this blog.

What Were Dinosaurs?

From the Triassic to the Cretaceous periods (about 230 to 66 million years ago), the diversified group of reptiles known as dinosaurs controlled terrestrial environments for more than 160 million years. From giant sauropods like Brachiosaurus to terrifying theropods like Tyrannosaurus rex, they underwent multiple evolutionary stages. Saurischia (lizard-hipped) and Ornithischia (bird-hipped) are the two major groupings of dinosaurs based on their hip configuration. Preceding their final extinction, the Cretaceous epoch is when the majority of the fossils discovered in Pakistan are found.

The Extinction of Dinosaurs

The asteroid impact hypothesis is the most commonly accepted explanation for the extinction of dinosaurs. The Chicxulub crater was formed approximately 66 million years ago when a huge asteroid collided with what is now the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The climate was disturbed for years by this catastrophe, which resulted in enormous flames, tsunamis, and an atmospheric blackout. The extinction of many other life forms, including dinosaurs, was probably caused by the breakdown of food chains, severe temperature changes, and a lack of sunshine. The Mesozoic Era came to an end with this catastrophic extinction, and mammals began to ascend, which ultimately resulted in human supremacy.

Dinosaurs in Pakistan: Discovery and Research

Compared to nations like the US or Argentina, Pakistan is not usually linked to dinosaur discoveries, although it does have a substantial amount of fossil evidence of these extinct animals. The majority of the significant fossils discovered have been found in Balochistan in particular. Paleontologists led by Dr. M. Sadiq Malkani made significant discoveries in this area in 2007, raising awareness of Pakistan’s prehistoric history.

Some of the important discoveries include:

• Theropod dinosaur genera Vitakridrinda and Vitakrisaurus are located in Balochistan’s Pab Formation. They belonged to the carnivorous theropod group and lived in the Late Cretaceous. Being one of the first well-recorded dinosaurs finds in Pakistan, these fossils were noteworthy.
• Sulaimanisaurus: In the same area, a sauropod—a kind of big, herbivorous dinosaurs—was found. Our knowledge of the range of dinosaur species that were present in the region was expanded by this discovery.

These fossils have been discovered and identified, thanks to the efforts of renowned paleontologist Dr. Malkani. Although there is still little research in this area because of a lack of funding and institutional support, his work has raised awareness of the importance of Pakistan’s dinosaur history on a global scale.

Was Balochistan the Only Home for Dinosaurs in Pakistan?

Although Balochistan has seen the majority of the major discoveries, there is evidence that dinosaurs may have also lived in other places of Pakistan. Dinosaurs most likely roamed what is now Pakistan, according to fossils discovered in the Sulaiman Range and its environs. The best-preserved specimens, however, have been found in Balochistan’s distinctive geological formations, such as the Pab and Vitakri formations. It’s important to remember that Pakistan’s geological past includes extensive sedimentary basins, which are perfect for fossil preservation. This implies that other regions of Pakistan, especially those with comparable geological conditions, can yet contain undiscovered fossil treasures, even if Balochistan may be the most well-known location for dinosaur discoveries.

The Challenges of Preservation and Research in Pakistan

Despite these findings, Pakistan has not done a very good job of conserving its dinosaur past. Pakistan lacks museums and research facilities devoted to prehistoric life, in contrast to other nations with extensive paleontological infrastructures. Government support for excavation and preservation programs is generally lacking, and fossil sites in Balochistan and other areas are frequently underfunded.

Additionally, the general population is not well-informed or aware of the significance of these fossils. Since many fossil sites are still unprotected, there is a greater chance that they will be robbed or destroyed. This limits the possibility of further discoveries in the future and the capacity to inform the public about the region’s rich prehistoric past.

Conclusion

In what is now Pakistan, dinosaurs were once a powerful force, especially in Balochistan, where important fossil finds have been unearthed. However, paleontological studies are hampered by a lack of funding, institutional support, and public awareness, meaning that much of the research into Pakistan’s ancient past is still limited. Although dinosaurs most likely frequented other regions of Pakistan, the majority of the findings have been made in Balochistan.

The demise of dinosaurs serves as a sobering reminder of how fleeting life is on our planet. Mammals rose to prominence as a result of the asteroid collision that killed out the dinosaurs, and humans eventually emerged as a result. Prioritizing the preservation of our own prehistoric and cultural heritage is essential as we continue to research and find fossils of these extinct animals.

Pakistan has the potential to play a significant role in the worldwide understanding of dinosaur history if more money is invested in research and preservation.

References

• Malkani, M. S. (2007). First diagnostic fossils of Late Cretaceous Crocodyliform (Mesoeucrocodylia, Reptilia) from Vitakri area, Barkhan District, Balochistan, Pakistan. In Contribution to Geology of Pakistan (pp. 241-259). A Publication of the National Geological Society of Pakistan, Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian, Islamabad, Pakistan. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374550740_First_diagnostic_fossils_of_Late_Cretaceous_Crocodyliform_Mesoeucrocodylia_Reptilia_from_Vitakri_area_Barkhan_District_Balochistan_Pakistan