The Balochi Academy has officially announced the launch of its major project, the Encyclopedia Balochistannica. This long-awaited effort aims to document the rich history, culture, language, geography, and natural life of Balochistan.
The encyclopedia will be published in English and will offer detailed information about the Baloch people, the Balochi language, and the province of Balochistan. It will include topics such as ancient and modern history, tribal systems, myths and legends, literature, poetry, political geography, and the region’s plants, animals, birds, and marine life.
In its statement, the Academy said the encyclopedia will be organized into four main areas: the history and identity of the Baloch people; the Balochi language, literature, and stories; the geography of Balochistan, including its rivers, mountains, and key locations; and the natural life of the region, including its unique wildlife.
To carry out the project in a well-organized and scholarly way, the Academy has set up a five-member editorial and coordination team. The team includes Habitan Umer as Project Director, Dr. Naseer Dashti as Editor-in-Chief, Professor Siddique Baloch as Coordinator, and Sangat Rafique and Zakir Qadir as Assistant Coordinators.
The team is currently working on selecting more than 100 scholars, researchers, and experts from around the world to write for the encyclopedia. These contributors will be paid for their work. The Academy will also accept articles written in Balochi, Persian, and Urdu, and will translate them into English.
The Encyclopedia Balochistannica is expected to become an important resource for students, researchers, historians, and anyone interested in learning more about the culture and heritage of Balochistan.
