Tradition, Innovation and Systems: Livelihood of Thar Community

Author(s): Rajendra Kumar and Arya Mehta

Abstract:

Thar Desert consists about 30 million hectares of the arid zone of sandy plains. The production of grass and forage from these common property resources (CPRs) can be increased from 0.50 to 3.6 t/ha by growing suitable grasses (Lasiurus sindicus, Cenchrus ciliaris, C. setigerus), legumes (Clitoria ternatea, shrubs (Zizyphus numularia) and trees Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), Ker (Capparis decidua), Kumtiya (Acacia senegal), Jall (persica oleoides), etc with improved management practices. Silvi pasture integrates trees, shrubs, grasses, and livestock to enhance resilience and productivity in the Thar Desert’s arid lands. Indigenous grasses like sewan and dhaman increase pasture yield and provide shade, crucial for livestock survival during drought. Livestock-including cows, buffalo, sheep, goats, blue bulls, deer, chinkara, foxes, rabbits, khargosh (hares), peacocks, and various birds and animals-benefit from this practice, particularly during prolonged droughts, when pasture is typically scarce, and mortality rates increase significantly. This technology introduces silvi pasture methods and provides a cost-benefit analysis compared to conventional practices for cattle rearing.

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