Prospective Role of Thar Desert in Ecological and Socio- Economic Development of Pakistan Masood Nawaz KALYAR Dr

Home , Chachro, Cholistan Desert, Great Rann of Kutch, Khokhrapar, Rann of Kutch, Tecomella

Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 The Unexplored Jewel of Desert: Prospective Role of Thar Desert in Ecological and Socio- Economic Development of Pakistan Masood Nawaz KALYAR Dr. Yusuf KARAKILÇIK Faculty of Economics and Administrative Professor, Faculty of Economics and Sciences, Administrative Sciences, İnönü University, Malatya, Turkey. İnönü University, Malatya, Turkey. [email protected]

Abstract— The Thar Desert is a large, arid rural area, about 45% of its labor force is engaged in region in the northwestern part of the Indian agriculture and contributing 25% in GDP (CIA, 2014). subcontinent and forms a natural boundary Despite the fact that economy of Pakistan is running along the border between India and growing (3.6% GDP growth rate for 2013) the country Pakistan. The purpose of this study is to analyze is still victim to various political, social, geographical, and present favorable and viable conditions for ecological, environmental, energy, and economic formulating and implementing afforestation plan problems. Increasing rate of people living under in Thar Desert of Pakistan. Afforestation of Thar poverty line, electricity and gas load shedding, stock Desert apart from provision of employment, wood market and currency fluctuations, poor transportation and charcoal supply, habitats for wildlife, and and logistics infrastructure, terrorism, drought, flood, ecotourism opportunities, may also play a and collapse of tourism industry are few examples significant role in overcoming ecological, that picture the consequence of the problems stated environmental, and other soil related issues. The above. If we have a look on recent economic, social, ‘prospective desert’ could also serve as home for environmental, and political trends it is clear that a medicinal plants and in protecting form further country rich in natural resources is unable to prevent desertification as well as soil erosion. itself from such shocks because of either negligence Keywords— Thar Desert, afforestation, soil or un-realization of its resources (Karakıkçık, 2004, erosion, desertification, socio-economic 191). For instance, more than 24 districts of four development, ecology, Pakistan provinces has been drowning every year into water for last few years in rainy season causing a loss of more 1. INTRODUCTION than 50 billion dollars each year. These floods affect The surface of planet earth consists of water, about 20 million people by destruction of forests, arable land, arid land, mountains, and infrastructure, damage of crops and property. The deserts. Apart from the area covered by oceans, interesting thing is that these areas also suffer from approximately 29 percent of the earth’s surface is insufficient water supply for agriculture in other days land. This land is not of same type from North Pole to of the year; presenting a good example of bad that of South. Mountain ranges, forests, arid/semi-arid governance. Construction of dams and barrages, and land, and deserts represent this 29% (Geographic, plantation of forest can not only become a solution to 2013). Every part of land stated above plays its role in flood management but also be benefitted for other unique ecological, social, and/or economics progress purposes such as electricity production and water of a particular geographic area. Located in South supply to the industry and agriculture. Asia, Pakistan is also characterized by these different Contrary to it, south eastern region situated in Thar types of land. Moving from North to south, one can Desert and Cholistan, and considerable area of see mighty mountains of Karakoram, Hindu Kush in Baluchistan suffers from monster of drought. A recent Giglit-Baltistan, planes in some areas of Khyber crisis in Tharparker district (located in Thar Desert) Pakhtunkha, Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan began when hundreds of animals died few months accompanied by several big and small rivers. Nature ago followed by subsequent death of children has also beautified this country with forests as well as because of food scarcity. This drought is not a new deserts in different geographic areas thus providing thing for the habitants of the desert as they have been diverse ecoregions. experiencing similar conditions for several years. Total area of Pakistan is 796,095 KM2 out which Droughts do not come across instantly rather a 2.87% is water and rest of this is land. However, the “creeping phenomenon” resulting from deficiency in only 26% of land area is arable since Pakistan’s land water level either on surface or underground. Causing is also characterized by mountains, forests (3%), and from persistent below average precipitation, drought desert (21%). Given that, Pakistan is an agrarian substantially affects ecosystems and agriculture thus economy and about 65% of its population is living bringing harm to local community and economy (Karakıkçık & Erkul, 2002, 32). Now, here are two

www.jmest.org JMESTN42350309 411 Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 opposite situations in different parts of Pakistan one is neotectonics have played a significant role in characterized by flood and other by drought. Both are modifying the drainage courses in this part and a large extremely dangerous for any territory and need a wise number of palaeochannels exist. log-term policy to cope with. Most studies did not share the opinion that the The purpose of this study is not to address palaeochannels of the Sarasvati River coincide with contemporary problems of Pakistan but to analyze the bed of the present-day Ghaggar and believe that and present favorable and viable conditions for the Sutlej along with the Yamuna once flowed into the formulating and implementing afforestation plan in present riverbed. It has been postulated that the Sutlej Thar Desert of Pakistan. Afforestation apart from was the main tributary of the Ghaggar and that provision of employment, wood and charcoal supply, subsequently the tectonic movements might have habitats for wildlife, and ecotourism opportunities, it forced the Sutlej westwards, the Yamuna eastwards would also play a significant role in overcoming and thus dried up the Ghaggar-Hakra. ecological, environmental and soil related issues. The Studies on Kalibangan in the desert region by prospective desert could also serve as home for Robert Raikes indicate that it was abandoned medicinal plants and in protecting form further because the river dried up. Prof. B. B. Lal (retd. desertification as well as soil erosion. The study is Director General of Archaeological Survey of India) structured as follows. Next section describes a brief supports this view by asserting: "Radiocarbon dating history, geological and ecological facts. Following indicates that the Mature Harappan settlement at section discusses the plants and trees and their Kalibangan had to be abandoned around 2000-1900 characteristics that are feasible to be cultivated in BCE. And, as the hydrological evidence indicates, this particular regions of Thar Desert. Next section is on abandonment took place on account of the drying up potential benefits of afforestation which it possibly of the Ghaggar-Hakra. This latter part is duly would bring to the region. Last section summarizes established by the work of Raikes, an Italian the study and also discusses study limitations. hydrologist, and of his Indian collaborators". 2. THE THAR DESERT 2.2. Climate The Thar Desert is a large, arid region in the The district has a tropical desert climate. In northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent and summer, it is extremely hot during the day, but nights forms a natural boundary running along the border are remarkably cooler. April, May and June are the between India and Pakistan. With an area of more hottest months during the day; December, January than 200,000 KM2, it is the world's 17th largest and February are the coldest months. The mean subtropical desert (Britannica, 2014). Thar Desert maximum and minimum temperature during this extends from the Sutlej River, surrounded by the period are 28°C and 9°C, respectively. There are wide Aravalli Ranges on the east, on the south by the salt fluctuations in the amount of rainfall from year to year marsh known as the Great Rann of Kutch (parts of and the yearly average for some areas is as low as which are sometimes included in the Thar), and on the 100 mm. Most of the rain falls between July and west by the Indus River. Its boundary to the large September, during the south-west monsoon, and is thorny steppe to the north is ill-defined. It lies mostly in often concentrated in a period of two to three days. the Indian state of Rajasthan, and extends into the southern portion of Haryana and Punjab states and The climate of Thar Desert is dry hot with little rain. into northern Gujarat state. The mean annual rainfall over the Thar is 150 -250 mm (Times, 2013). However the Indian part of the In Pakistan, the desert covers eastern Sindh desert receives up to 500 mm rain in some regions. Province and the southeastern portion of Punjab The pattern and scale of the rainfall in Tharparkar can Province, where it joins the Cholistan Desert near be described in the framework of two parameters; the Bahawalpur. The Tharparkar District is one of the intensity and the frequency of rain. The rainfall in major parts of the desert area. Tharparkar consists of Tharparkar mostly occurs in monsoon season two words: Thar means 'desert' while Parkar stands between June and September and varies between 50 for 'the other side'. to 300 mm. The main crops in the area are sown 2.1. Origin of the Desert immediately after the rain mature in a spell of two to three months. Harvesting, stocking and marketing the The origin of the Thar Desert is a controversial crops along with feeding the animals in the grazing subject. Some consider it to be 4000 to 10,000 years lands with dry grass for the rest of the year old, whereas others state that aridity started in this characterize the post monsoon season. Such a region much earlier. Another theory states that area pattern of rainfall in that context also supports the turned to desert relatively recently: perhaps around range lands of the arid zone to grow seasonal grasses 2000 - 1500 BC. Around this time the Ghaggar-Hakra for the whole year. In addition, it also recharges the ceased to be a major river. It now terminates in the thin fresh-water layers and provides an opportunity for desert but at one time was a water source for the collecting the surface water in open ponds. Thus, Indus Valley Civilization center of Mohenjo-daro. It such a pattern of seasonal calendar offers sole has been observed through remote sensing opportunity to the people of Thar for securing their techniques that Late Quaternary climatic changes and subsistence of the whole year only in four months. www.jmest.org JMESTN42350309 412 Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 This crucial period determines the economic security noted as one of the most advanced cities of and social credibility for the people in the arid zone. Tharparkar, compared to other cities of world it is The unpredictable rains normally vary with in tantamount to an African village. frequency and intensity in terms of area and time. The There is no river or stream in the district. However, pattern in the consecutive four years in the central in Nagarparkar there are two perennial springs named part of Thar has varied between 50 to 186 mm in Acbleshwar and Sardharo as well as temporary intensity and 1-5 in frequency (Shaikh, 2003). The streams called Bhetiani River and Gordhro River after winter rains are insignificant. Dust storms are the rains. common, with winds of 140 to 150 km/hr from April to June in the desert. The maximum temperature rises to 2.4. Religion over 45C during the hot months of April, May and June. The mean maximum and minimum It is the only district in Pakistan with significant temperatures average 35C and 19C, respectively, Hindu population. According to the 1998 census, over the year (Nayyer Alam Zaigham, 2003). Muslims constituted 59.53% while the Hindus were 40.47%. At the time of independence of Pakistan in 2.3. Geographic Area of Thar 1947, the Hindus were 80% while the Muslims were 20% of the population. According The significant The Thar region forms part of the bigger desert of number of Hindus migrated to India during the 1965 the same name that sprawls over a vast area of and 1971 wars between Pakistan and India (FindPK, Pakistan and India from Cholistan to Nagarparkar in 2014). Pakistan and from the south of Haryana down to Rajasthan in India. 2.5. Rivers and Streams The Tharparkar district is mostly desert and consist There is no river or stream in the area. However, in of barren tracts of sand dunes covered with thorny Nagar Parkar there are two perennial springs named bushes. The ridges are irregular and roughly parallel, Acbleshwar and Sardharo as well as temporary that they often enclosed sheltered valleys, above streams called Bhetiani River and Gordhro River after which they rise to a height of some 46 meters. These the rains. valleys are moist enough to admit cultivation and when not cultivated they yield luxuriant crops of rank 2.6. Plants of the Thar Desert grass. But the extraordinary salinity of the subsoil and The climatic conditions in Thar are not as harsh as consequent shortage of potable water renders many in the other deserts. It has diverse ecosystem and tracts quite uninhabitable. In many of the valleys the hence even though it is arid it is rich in comparison to subsoil water collects and forms large and picturesque other deserts. Natural vegetation includes shrubs, salt lakes, which rarely dry up. herbs and thorny trees such as acacia. The only hills in the district are at Nagarparkar on 2.7. Animals of the Thar Desert the northern edge of the Rann of Kutch, which belongs to quite a different geological series. It The Black buck (Antilope cervicapra), the Indian consists of granite rocks, probably an outlying mass of wild ass (Equus hemionus khur) and the Indian the crystalline rocks of the Aravalli Range. The gazelle (Gazella bennettii) are found in large numbers Aravalli series belongs to Archean system which in the desert. Other varities include the wild cat and constitutes the oldest rocks of the earth’s crust. This is the red fox. About 141 species of resident and a small area quite different from the desert. The tract migratory birds are found in this desert. Eagles, is flat and level except close to Nagarparkar itself. The falcons, vultures, buzzards, harriers and kestrels are principal range, Karoonjhar Mountains, is 19 km in some of them. Besides all these desert wild animals, length and attains a height of 305 m. Smaller hills rise inhabitants of the desert also keep animals like camel, in the east, which are covered with sparse jungle and sheep, goats, and cows. Peacock is pride of Thar pasturage and give rise to two perennial springs Desert, and eternal enemy of snakes. Thus peacocks named Achleshwar and Sardharo as well as are found to be more than one hundred thousand in temporary streams called Bhetiani and Gordhro, after Thar Desert of Pakistan. the rains. 3. THAR GEOGRAPHY On the south of the district is the great Rann of The Thar Desert lies in the southeastern part of Kutch, an immense salt lake. It is a flat land, almost at Pakistan, on the western edge of the stable Indian sea level, covered with thick layer of salt which has Peninsula. The whole area is covered with extensive been left by evaporation of sea water over the & thick cover of dune sands, extending down to an centuries. During a monsoon it becomes almost part average depth of 80m. Surface rock exposures are of the sea owing to influx of sea water at Lakhpat almost absent, except limited outcrops of granitic Bander on Kori mouth of the Indus River and other basement in Nagarparkar. A few scattered outcrops of places. During winter it mostly dries up and surface is Mesozoic and Tertiary strata are exposed across the covered with salt. At places where the land rises up by Indo-Pakistan border in the Jaisalmer and Rann of a few metres, it becomes an island and is thus called Kutch areas of India. Due to lack of surface-exposures “bet”. The most important cities are Mithi, Islamkot, of the prevailing subsurface geological sequences, the Chachro, Nagarparkar, Dano Dandal. While Mithi is www.jmest.org JMESTN42350309 413 Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 geology of the Thar Desert has been poorly electric soundings (VES) indicate two trends of understood. Mainly, geophysical and drilling data have apparent resistivity values at different sites in the area provided subsurface geology. The interpretation of south of Chachro. One trend indicates massive seismic-data (Zaigham & Ahmad, 1996) shows that granitic basement and the other trend reveals the the Thar Desert rests upon a structural platform where presence of layered Archean metasediment was granitic basement is at shallower depths. The granite reported in a well near Pabban locality, about 8 km basement has pre-Jurassic rifting, which caused south of Gadro. Further south along the border with flexure and the ultimate development of the Thar India, the dioritic basement was reported, basin. The basement shows rise towards southeast encountered at 253 m depth in a drill hole. Based on and deepening towards northwest, as a result of the geo-electrical resistivity survey, this basement Paleozoic-Mesozoic divergent tectonics. complex, having high resistivity of 50 to 150 Ωm, was interpreted to be a deep fissured sandstone aquifer, The consistent depositional trends of the bearing fresh water, by Schildknecht & others (1991) stratigraphic sequences from Mesozoic to Tertiary under the WAPDABGR Groundwater Exploration periods indicate that the incipient rifting of the Project. On the other hand, results of the deep vertical basement was pre-depositional. The younger electric soundings (VES) indicate two trends of formations are preserved and overlie the older in the apparent resistivity values at different sites in the area northwestern part, where geological sequences are south of Chachro. One trend indicates massive well developed. The older formations may be granitic basement and the other trend reveals the encountered at greater depths towards the basin and presence of layered Archean metasediments. shallower on the continental shelf area towards southeast. 3.5. Hydro-Geological Conditions Results of the geo-electric, drilling and There is no surface perennial water available in the geophysical/geological log data (Rehman et al., 1993) Thar. Based on the results of dug wells' inventories, indicate four major divisions of lithological sequences covering about 8500 km2 area between Gadro and almost throughout the Thar Desert. Virawah in the eastern Thar along the Pakistan border, it is observed that the perched aquifers are 3.1. Dune Zone hosted in friable sandy/salty layers sealed underneath This zone consists of well-sorted eolian sand. The by clay layers. The depth to water-table varies from 5 soils of the desert contain about 8 % clay and silt, to 15 m in and around Gadro area, 30 m to 45 m in near the surface and about 15 % clay and silt in the Chachro area and goes even deeper in areas west of subsoil (Kazmi, 1985). The thickness of this sand- Chachro. Their thickness and lateral extent are zone varies from north to south. It is thinner in the limited. The majority of the dug wells have a depth to northern part of the desert, about 5 to 15 m thick in groundwater ranging from 20 to 80 m. In general, the Gadro-Khokhrapar area. The thickness increases quality of groundwater ranges from saline to brackish. from about 40 to 93 m in the central and southern 3.6. Groundwater Quality Thar in Chachro-Islamkot-Mithi area. In Thar Desert, the ground water tapped by 83% of 3.2. Oxidized Zone dug wells has an electrical conductivity (EC) value It consists of compact and loose clays, silts and ranging from 2000 µS/cm to more than 10,000 µS/cm. sands with ironstone concretions and siderite nodules. Thus, under normal standard, such quality of water is This litho-unit is distinguished from other subsurface unfit for human consumption, but the water with EC of units by its iron oxide and limonite staining. The 5,000 µS/cm is considered drinkable under duress for thickness of this zone ranges from 11 to 209 m. The the arid region. As such, 48 % of the water in the dug age of this unit is considered Sub-Recent (Fassett & wells may be considered fit for human consumption in Durrani, 1994). This oxidized zone lies uncomfortably the area. Figure-9 shows the distribution of electrical over the coal-bearing formation. conductivity (EC) of groundwater in the Thar Desert. The distribution-pattern indicates three prominent 3.3. Coal-Bearing Formations good-quality groundwater zones. In the northern part, The coal-bearing sequence consists of clay stones, EC values less than 3000 µS/cm prevail, exclusively siltstones, sandstones and lignite, with intercalations associated with the perched aquifers encountered in of siderite bands, nodules and granite-wash at places. the shallow dug-wells. The perched aquifers contain The thickness of this sequence ranges from zero to mostly fairly good to brackish groundwater, but show 185 m, hosting lignite beds with a cumulative extreme lateral variation in ground-water salinity over thickness ranging from 0.5 to about 34 m. small distances. 3.4. Basement Complex The area between Gadro/Khokrapar and Chachro is dominated by EC values greater than 10,000 Granitic basement is encountered at depths µS/cm, indicating poor groundwater prospects. In the ranging from 112 to 279 m in holes drilled in the east central part, south and southeast of Chachro and southeast of Chachro (Fassett & Durrani, 1994). extending from Pakistan-India border to Islamkot, EC On the other hand, rhyolitic/basaltic basement was values between 2,000 and 5,000 µS/cm are found, reported in other hand, results of the deep vertical particularly in the relatively deeper aquifer(s). The www.jmest.org JMESTN42350309 414 Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 hydrogeological data indicate good groundwater of these desert lands for afforestation. Of particular, prospects, particularly associated with deep-seated the region of Thar Desert and Cholistan could be best sedimentary aquifers. Another good prospective area for the purpose because these deserts are arid and is reflected by the EC values ranging from less than semi-arid and world’s most populated desert. 2,000 to 3,000 µS/cm, in and around Nagarparkar, Moreover, ground water is far away from surface and where the basement units are exposed. In the area not good enough in most area to be used for between the central zone and Nagarparkar, EC agriculture. Thar region of Pakistan and Cholistan’s measurements of the dug well water (values mainly agriculture is dependent on monsoon rain. If it rains range from 5,000 to 10,000 µS/cm) indicate brackish these regions become green but if there is no rain to saline water- quality. In this area, deep sedimentary these regions victim to drought and famine. If some aquifers have not been explored in detail. initiative are taken to make deserts green, as India did and faced huge success, the future of these deserts Occurrences of better groundwater (EC: < 2000 and their inhabitants could be changed forever only µs/cm) are associated only with the exposed granite within few decades. unit in Nagarparkar area, where basement is exposed otherwise no good-quality groundwater is so far Although afforestation in deserts is not as easier as exploited, associated with the basement at deeper in arable region abundant in water but still there are depths throughout the Thar region. At places, vertical variety of flora that has proved compatible and electric soundings have indicated good prospects for consistent with Thar Desert’s climate and other the good quality groundwater associated with the related conditions. Thus promoting plantation of these basement complex. species of trees and plants could play a vital role in greening of Thar Desert as well as Cholistan. The 4. AFFORESTATION description of these plants and trees is discussed in Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or lines below. stand of trees in an area where there was no forest. 4.2. Trees and Plants for Afforestation Afforestation refers to the conversion of wasteland into a woodland or forest. It is essentially the Here is detailed discussion about some important transformation of land which has not been forested for trees and plants that could be grown as a part of a period of more than 40 year to woodland through afforestation and bring green revolution in the deserts. seeding and planting. Afforestation is the best 4.2.1. Jojoba technique used to minimize the greenhouse effect. Therefore, there is constant necessity to develop Jojoba has very promising scope for cultivation in afforestation programs in order to preserve and the desert even in the relatively hot weather. Its nature protect the forestry including the wasteland. A withstands the hot weather in summer, warm weather massive afforestation program is required to meet the in winter, low fertility of soil and low water resources. It increasing demand of fuel wood, timber and fodder. needs less than one quarter the amount of water Afforestation is also essential to prevent the earth needed for olives with great ability to withstand the from environmental hazards resulting in form of high salt in the soil. The payback for planting Jojoba is greenhouse effect, global warming, flood, soil erosion, encouraging. To be used as fuel it needs to be and desertification. Rapid increase in population and cultivated in huge amounts which are easy in desert industrialization made inevitable need of oxygen. land in many countries. Soil texture is important as jojoba grows best in sandy or decomposed granite or 4.1. Afforestation in Thar Desert rocky soils and slowest in heavy clay soils such as Like rest of world Pakistan is also victim to adobe. Even if the fertility of the soil is marginal, environmental pollution, desertification, rapid soil jojoba is still able to produce well without the use of erosion, and deforestation. Afforestation not only fertilizers. However, jojoba plants kept in containers prevents a geographic region from hazards discussed seem to do better with some fertilization. However, it above but also sources for economic development. is also used only to prevent desertification (Sharma, Woods could be used for domestic use as well as for 2000). commercial purposes. Commercial purposes could be Jojoba grows, to 1–2 meters (3.3–6.6 ft) tall, with a use of trees as paper pulp, timber, coal, and other broad, dense crown, but there have been reports of energy resources. The herbs cultivated in these plants as tall as 3 meters (9.8 ft). The leaves are forests could be used for medical purposes thus opposite, oval in shape, 2–4 centimeters (0.79–1.57 provision of a rich source of medicines. in) long and 1.5–3 centimeters (0.59–1.18 in) broad, Pakistan is already facing problem of deforestation, thick waxy glaucous gray-green in color. The flowers as Pakistan is using forests for energy production and are small, greenish-yellow, with 5–6 sepals and no paper production. Forestry in Pakistan is facing a 3% petals. It tolerates lack of water, salinity and poor- decline for last one decade. Increase in population is nutrient soils. also a cause to replace forest land with agri-land. It is Jojoba foliage provides year-round food a critical situation for Pakistan and needs prompt opportunity for many animals, including deer, javelina, action in due course. Since 21% of Pakistani land bighorn sheep, and livestock. The nuts are eaten by comprises of deserts, Pakistan can make proper use

www.jmest.org JMESTN42350309 415 Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 squirrels, rabbits, other rodents, and larger birds. Only cattle and goats and are considered nutritious. Ber Bailey's Pocket Mouse, however, is known to be able timber is hard, strong, fine-grained, fine-textured, to digest the wax found inside the jojoba nut. tough, durable, and reddish in color. It has been used to line wells, to make legs for bedsteads, boat ribs, Jojoba is grown for the liquid wax (commonly agricultural implements, tool handles, and other lathe- called jojoba oil) in its seeds. This oil is rare in that it's turned items. The branches are used as framework in an extremely long (C36–C46) straight-chain wax ester house construction and the wood makes good and not a triglyceride, making jojoba and its derivative charcoal with a heat content of almost 4,900 kcal per jojoba esters more similar to human sebum and whale kg. oil than to traditional vegetable oils. Farmers in Thar Desert of India are earning up to 10 USD for refined 4.2.4. Calligonum polygonoides/Phog 100 ml jojoba oil. Calligonum polygonoides, locally known as phog, 4.2.2. Khejri/Jand Tree is a small shrub found in Thar desert areas, usually 4 feet to 6 feet high but occasionally may reach even 10 The Khejri, Prosopis cineraria, will give any feet in height with a girth of 1 to 2 ft. This plant is wilderness survival expert a run for his money. In an referred to as “orta” in old Arabic poetry. It commonly environment that endures as little as 100mm rainfall grows on dry sandy soils and on sand dunes. It is very each year, competition for water is the game. For hardy and being capable of growing under adverse Khejri, winning is easy. It is capable of lodging roots conditions of soil and moisture. It is frost hardy 30 metres into the ground and accessing water (Tadevosyan, 2007). obscured from the grasps of animals and other plants alike. Withstanding great variation in temperatures, it It is found from arid and semi-arid areas of Thar easily copes with summer heat in the 50 ⁰C rangeDesert, and Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey (Aralykh, winter nights that can bottom at around 0 ⁰C. Almost Igdir). It is becoming increasingly rare due to the evergreen and thriving in the harshest of conditions, it demand for its roots, which are used to make is a super species, with all the stamina, vigor and charcoal. Overgrazing and sand mining are also resilience of a great warrior. having an effect. The wood of P. cineraria is a good fuel source, and 4.2.5. Calotropis Procera provides excellent charcoal. Its leaves are best food Calotropis is a shrub or tree with lavender flowers for animals. Khejari fruits or pods are locally called and cork-like bark. It locally known as “AAK” and sangar or sangri. The dried pods locally called Kho- “ACRA”. It has ability to endure extreme temperatures Kha are eaten. Dried pods also form rich animal feed, and water unavailability. Found in North Africa, which is liked by all livestock. Green pods also form Tropical Africa, West and South Asia, Calotropis is rich animal feed, which is liked by drying the young native plant of sandy land. This plant also does exist boiled pods. The dried green sangri is used as a in Thar but not in abundance (Brüschweiler, Stöckel, delicious dried vegetable which is very costly. Many & Reichstein, 1969). Rajasthani families use the green and unripe pods (sangri) in preparation of curries and pickles. The wood of the plant yields a fibrous substance that is used for rope, fishing line and thread. It also 4.2.3. Ber/Ziziphus mauritiana has tannins, latex, rubber and a dye that are used in Ber (Indian Jujube) is hardy tree that copes with industrial practices. The shrub is considered a weed in extreme temperatures and thrives under rather dry its native subcontinent but has also been used conditions with an annual rainfall of 6 to 88.5 in (15– traditionally as a medicinal plant. It also serves as 225 cm). The tree has a high tolerance to both water- food to animals. logging and drought and can grow where annual 4.2.6. Crotalaria burhia rainfall ranges from 125 to 2,225 mm, but is more widespread in areas with an annual rainfall of 300 to Crotalaria burhia is a herb found in north-west 500 mm. In China and India, wild trees are found up to India, mainly in the Thar desert region.It is a good soil an elevation of 5,400 ft (1,650 m). In India, the binder and has medicinal value. It is used to make minimum shade temperature for survival is 7–13° and ropes and sheds for animals in the desert and also the maximum temperature is 50 °C. Studies report used to made jhumpa (desert huts). It is a food for that this species flourishes in alkaline soils with a pH goats. as high as 9.2. However, deep sandy loam to loamy soils with neutral or slightly alkaline pH are considered 4.2.7. Aerva javanica optimum for growth. In India, the tree grows best on Aerva javanica, the kapok bush or desert cotton, is sandy loam, neutral or slightly alkaline (Kirkbride & a species of plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It has Wiersema, 2006). a native distribution incorporating much of Africa The fruit is eaten raw, pickled or used in (including Madagascar), and the south-west and south beverages. It is quite nutritious and rich in vitamin C. It of Asia. is second only to guava and much higher than citrus This herb is deep rooted, and is used as soil binder or apples. The leaves are readily eaten by camels, in desert reclamation. It is used for fuel and for fodder

www.jmest.org JMESTN42350309 416 Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 for goats. In traditional medicine this plant has many Capparis decidua is commonly known as kerda, uses. It is used externally to remove swelling, relieve kair, karir, kirir, karril, Pilu etc. It is a small much inflammation and promote healing of wounds and branched tree or shrub of arid regions in Africa, ulcers. The flowers and roots are used to alleviate Middle East and southern Asia, including the Thar kidney problems and rheumatism and the seeds are Desert. It bears a mass of slender, leafless branches, believed to cure headaches. A gargle is made from the small caducous leaves being found only on young the plant to treat toothache (Samejo, Memon, shoots. It rarely exceeds a height of 5 meters (15 Bhanger, & Khan, 2012). feet). The plant has naturalized in northern regions of The new flush of leaves appears in November– Australia, as an alien introduction, and is cultivated January. Red conspicuous flowers appear in March to and utilized by the indigenous peoples. The seed- April and August–September and ripe by May and heads are harvested for their soft fibers, rubbed October. The pink fleshy berries are readily eaten by between the palms and used as kapok for pillows. birds. It coppices well and produces root suckers freely. It is extremely drought-resistant and tolerates 4.2.8. Leptadenia pyrotechnica some frost. Leptadenia pyrotechnica is the botanical name of a This is a useful plant in its marginal habitat. Its desert herb of the family Asclepiadaceae. It is known spicy fruits are used for preparing vegetables, curry as khimp in Hindi and Urdu,"Khipp" in Punjabi. and fine pickles and can attract helpful insectivores; Being highly drought-resistant, Leptadenia the plant also is used in folk medicine and herbalism. pyrotechnica has played an important role in the Capparis decidua can be used in landscape desert afforestation programs. The herb khimp is a gardening, afforestation and reforestation in semi strong soil-binder and as such is one of the pioneer desert and desert areas; it provides assistance species in sand dune fixation. Its seed maceration is against soil erosion. used as eye lotion and eye bath. The plant sap is 4.2.11. Vachellia tortilis/ Israeli Babool rubbed on the skin to treat smallpox and dermatitis. An infusion of the aerial parts is taken as a diuretic to Vachellia tortilis tends to grow in areas where treat kidney disorders, kidney stones and cough. In temperatures vary from 0 to 50 degree Celsius and Sudan a root decoction is taken to treat constipation rainfall is anywhere from about 100–1,000 mm (3.9– and indigestion. Its crushed stems are applied to 39.4 in) per year. In extremely arid conditions, it may wounds to stop bleeding. occur as a small, wiry bush. It grows up to 21 m (69 ft) in height. The tree carries leaves that grow to approx. The plant is a potential commercial fiber plant 2.5 cm (1 in) in length with between 4 and 10 pair of especially for ropes and textile mixtures with wool. It is pinnae each with up to 15 pairs of leaflets. Flowers also potentially useful in cellulose acetate and paper are small and white, highly aromatic, and occur in tight industries. Apart from all these uses, it also serves as clusters. Seeds are produced in pods which are flat food for animals. and coiled into a springlike structure. 4.2.9. Cordia sinensis The plant is known to tolerate high alkalinity, Cordia sinensis is a species of flowering tree in the drought, high temperatures, sandy & stony soils, borage family, Boraginaceae. The species’ range strongly sloped rooting surfaces, and sand blasting. extends from South Africa, through East Africa Also, plants older than 2 years have been observed to Madagascar and the Middle East to the Indian be somewhat frost resistant. Subcontinent and Eastern Indochina. There is also a Timber from the tree is used for furniture, wagon disjunct native population in Senegal. The species has wheels, fence posts, cages, and pens. Vachellia wood become naturalised in Eastern Australia. Common was also used exclusively by the Israelites in the Old names include grey-leaved saucer berry, grey-leaved Testament in the building of the tabernacle and the cordia, marer, mnya mate and mkamasi. tabernacle furniture, including the Ark of the The fruit are an important food for monkeys and Covenant. The pods and foliage, which grow birds. The leaves provide browse for animals such as prolifically on the tree, are used as fodder for desert antelope, giraffe and deer. grazing animals. The bark is often used as a string medium in Tanganyika, and is a source for tannin. The fruits are edible and are eaten in a variety of Gum from the tree is edible and can be used as Gum cuisine. The gum from the tree is also edible. The Arabic. Parts of the tree including roots, shoots, and timber is used as firewood and for making furniture pods are also often used by natives for a vast number and tools. The leaves are an important source of of purposes including decorations, weapons, tools, animal fodder. Both roots and bark are used to treat a and medicines. The Umbrella thorn is also emerging variety of disorders in both humans and livestock, as an important species in the battle to 'green the including malaria, intestinal disorders and deserts', as it is one of few trees to tolerate very conjunctivitis. harsh, arid environments. 4.2.10. Capparis decidua 4.2.12. Tecomella undulate/ Rohida

www.jmest.org JMESTN42350309 417 Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 Tecomella undulata is a tree species, locally Besides these key reasons, Pakistan is also facing known as Rohida in Urdu found in Thar Desert a rapid decline in forests and rate of deforestation has regions of India and Pakistan. It is a medium sized increased since beginning of twenty first century. This tree that produces quality timber and is the main deforestation has many negative effects on the source of timber amongst the indigenous tree species environment. The most dramatic impact is a loss of of desert regions of Shekhawati and Marwar in habitat for millions of species. Hundreds of Earth’s Rajasthan. The trade name of the tree species is land animals and plants live in forests, and many Desert teak or Marwar teak. It is also state flower of cannot survive the deforestation that destroys their Rajashtan. homes. It is also driving climate change. Forest soils are moist, but without protection from sun-blocking Tecomella undulata is mainly used as a source of tree cover they quickly dry out. Trees also help timber. Its wood is strong, tough and durable. It takes perpetuate the water cycle by returning water vapor a fine finish. Heartwood contains quinoid. The wood is back into the atmosphere. Without trees to fill these excellent for firewood and charcoal. Cattle and goats roles, many former forest lands can quickly become eat leaves of the tree. Camels, goats and sheep barren deserts. Removing trees deprives the forest of consume flowers and pods. Tecomella undulata plays portions of its canopy, which blocks the sun’s rays an important role in ecology. It acts as a soil-binding during the day and holds in heat at night. This tree by spreading a network of lateral roots on the top disruption leads to more extreme temperatures swings surface of the soil. It acts as a windbreak and helps in that can be harmful to plants and animals. Trees also stabilizing shifting sand dunes. It is considered as the play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases home of birds and provides shelter for other desert that fuel global warming. Fewer forests mean larger wildlife. Shade of tree crown is shelter for the cattle, amounts of greenhouse gases entering the goats and sheep during summer days. atmosphere—and increased speed and severity of Tecomella undulata has got medicinal properties global warming (Geographic, 2013). This global as well. The bark obtained from the stem is used as a warming is harming Pakistan severely. remedy for syphilis. It is also used in curing urinary The solution to deforestation is reforestation and/or disorders, enlargement of spleen, gonorrhoea, afforestation. Reforestation refers to a mechanism leucoderma and liver diseases. Seeds are used where trees are planted in place trees are cut. Given against abscess. Traditionally in Musakhel, Pakistan trees are cut for agriculture, reforestation is nearly its flower used for Hepatitis. impossible in such places. There is need to identify 5. DISCUSSIONS barren places and do afforestation because such lands are not suitable for agriculture but some specific A desert is a barren area of land where little species of trees, plants and herbs could be grown. In precipitation occurs and consequently living conditions our case, Thar Desert and Cholistan are best suitable are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of hosts allowing variety of desert and non-desert trees, vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the plants and/or herbs to grow. Since there are few ground to the processes of denudation. About one species of trees exist in these deserts which survived third of the land surface of the world is arid or semi- in a very hard, warm, and droughty land over past arid. About 20% of Pakistan’s area is characterized by several years. The plantation of all/few of these deserts, out of which almost half belongs to both Thar species on large scale could provide a best solution and Cholistan. Pakistan’s weather is also being as alternate forest to existing ones. This afforestation influenced by global warming and there could be seen must consider native trees and plants’ species and a shift in ecoregions. It is witnessed that monsoon could also be characterized by agroforestry. This season which would begin in months of May-June project could be very useful in overcoming several now has changed to late June and July. Thar Desert ecological, metrological, environmental, biological, and Cholistan are monsoon deserts bout this global and socio-economic problems of the country, change also affected them and not having as much specifically south-eastern region. These benefits are rain as it used to be earlier. This lack of rain is discussed in the following lines. bringing drought and resulting in famine which could be witnessed in these deserts, of particular Thar In their research, Makarieva, Gorshkov, Sheil, Desert is still suffering from drought and famine. Nobre, and Li (2013) advocated that condensation, When there is enough rain the soil of that region face not temperature, drives winds. They highlighted the prosperity but if there is no rain or a little rain then this importance of the world’s forests as the salient driver land becomes barren and shows no sign of life. Since of precipitation from the coast into a continent’s Thar Desert is the most populated desert in the world, interior. The condensation produced by forests the people living here are forced to beg basic needs of creates zones of low pressure that suck in the air from the life. This desert region does not only cause a the surrounding regions. Forests create persistent low catastrophe but this environmental change could also pressure zones on land and this causes moist winds be seen other regions of the country. Thus, here to blow from the ocean to land. Afforestation in Thar comes the role of local and central public region could result in higher precipitation because this administration bodies to plan and implement region is closer to Arabian Sea. As concluded by strategies on solid ground. Hance (2013), forests are key to rainfall and as a

www.jmest.org JMESTN42350309 418 Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 3159-0040 Vol. 1 Issue 5, December - 2014 consequence, global ecological restoration. This representing afforestation efforts. But this forest was afforestation project can reap benefits of rain as well established on arable land. as high precipitation resulting in higher rain a decade Nations around the world are trying to transform or half. Following the same inference, Makarieva et al. barren lands and deserts into forests to take double (2013) also made forests responsible for rain and advantage. The nations are using arable land for concluded why there is so little rain in deserts and agriculture and arid/semi-arid land for afforestation. further posited that if we were to plant enough trees in Such examples could be seen from successful these zones we could induce rainfall. Thus success in plantation and development of trees and plants in plantation and development of trees in these regions Africa, America, Israel, Iran, and India. India has been can cause in bringing rain and it is what whole life in working successfully for last six decades to transform these regions depends on. Thar Desert of India into green land. This study posits Subsequent to above mentioned ecological and on the same idea to use Thar Desert of Pakistan and metrological advantages, the resulting forest could Cholistan an alternative to arable land for play a vital role in prevention and growth of wild life of afforestation. Although this is a very long term project the desert. Currently, blackbuck, chinkara, red fox, but its fruits could be reaped and benefitted by the wildcat, eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel whole nation, particularly people living in these and vultures are living in the desert but facing threats deserts. Federal government and Sindh government because of lack of trees and grazing plants. Several must take collaborative actions in due course and types of reptiles and their species including snakes international organizations such as United Nations and lizards are also found here. Blackbuck, chinkara, (UN), Asian Development Bank (ADP), South-Asian wild cow and ostrich could be farmed on commercial Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), grounds and their meat, skin and horns etc. could Organization for Economic Cooperation and make contribution in economic and GDP growth. Development (OECD) could also prove beneficial in financial and technical assistance for regional Apart from wildlife, the prospective forest and development. This project will certainly help Pakistan plantation of grazing plants would also provide to provide (self) employment opportunities to that opportunity to the inhabitants for livestock. Of region and a breakthrough development of socio- particular, camels (the ship of desert) can play economic conditions as well as a favorable eco- significant role in socio-economic development of the regions. region. The wool of sheep, camel and goats has multiple uses for textile. The leather obtained from REFERENCES camels’ skin is one the best leathers to produce [1] Britannica, E. (2014). Thar Desert. Retrieved expensive and sophisticated leather products such as March 18, 2014, from jackets, purses, table lamps and leather products for http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590028/ fashion industry. Camel’s milk has been proved as an Thar-Desert alternative to insulin for first and second level diabetic patients. As advocated by Lewis (2013), forests and [2] Brüschweiler, F., Stöckel, K., & Reichstein, T. trees are very essential to food security and (1969). Calotropis Glykoside, vermutliche Teilstruktur. agriculture. Thar Desert and Cholistan afforestation Glykoside und Aglykone, 321. Mitteilung. Helvetica certainly play a vital role in development of agricultural chimica acta, 52(8), 2276-2303. productivity in these regions. Last but not least, the [3] [3] CIA. (2014). The World Factbook. deserts could serve a best place to ecotourism with a Retrieved March 15, 2014, from combination of desert and forest. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- 6. CONCLUSION factbook/geos/pk.html

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