Possible Threats to Agrobiodiversity of Thar Desert in Pakistan

Abstract

The Sindh region is located on fertile land, creating conditions suitable for agriculture and irrigation. Being centrally connected to the Indus River has created advantages for year-round farming and agriculture. Thar is considered the largest desert in Pakistan with a rich culture, heritage, traditions, folk stories, dances and music played by people of all religions, sects and clans different created. The main occupation of the people living here is agriculture and animal husbandry. The main occupations of the Thari people are woodworking, wool weaving, leather making, jewelry making, snake charm-making, farming (in some regions) and herd-grazing. Agrobiodiversity in the Thar River has a variety of uses commonly used by local residents such as food, wool production, vegetation and herbs that provide nutritious pastures as well as medicinal plants used by locals. The vegetation in the desert is mainly herbaceous plants or stunted shrubs; drought tolerant plants Acacia sp., Prosopis sp., Tamrix sp., Zizyphus sp., Capparis sp., and shrubs such as Calligonum sp., Calotropis spp., Aerva spp., Crotalaria spp. and Haloxylon sp. grows in all plains. The sparsely populated grasslands are home to black foxes, chinkaras, caracals, and desert foxes that inhabit the plains, grasslands, and salt flats of the central desert. Several game birds, notably francolins (penguins) and quails. Among the migratory and resident birds, Harriers, falcons, buzzards, Peacock, kestrel, vultures, shorttoed eagles, tawny eagles, laggar falcons and bustard are common. Agriculture is not a reliable proposition in a desert region. After the rainy season, at least 33% of the crops fail. Animal husbandry, planting trees and grasses along with vegetables or fruit trees is the most viable model for arid and arid regions. The area faces frequent droughts. The rapidly threatened and endangered agrobiodiversity populations in this ecoregion have recovered in recent years due to a number of possible threats. However, the primary water element is very rare. Although seasonal rain is collected in reservoirs, tanks, wells and canals, it is the main source for drinking and domestic purposes. Most groundwater is unusable because it is located deep underground and is often salty. Recently almost all reservoirs have been exhausted and the Thar River is facing starvation. It suffers from drought every two or three years, causing severe food shortages, leading to malnutrition, disease, and death. Children and pregnant women are the most affected. Agricultural biodiversity is rapidly disappearing in the Thar River due to the lack of water in the area; the conversion of grasslands into arable land is very slow and the illegal hunting of animals for economic purposes. Dust storms, illiteracy of the local people, deforestation, grazing of livestock, mainly sheep and goats are rampant, affecting soil fertility and destroying native vegetation. A large number of children, peacocks and domestic animals have died and perished in the arid and rain-dependent areas of the Thar River due to the development of physical infrastructure, the lack of guiding policies, and support from the government and lack of value-added aspects are key factors related to failures in life. However, the government, there are no significant steps to improve the situation. It is therefore imperative for our local communities and educated people to be directly involved in raising awareness about the agro-biodiversity of the Thar Desert and its importance.