Tharparkar, one of Sindh’s drought-hit districts, has returned to life after the recent spell of monsoon. Each and every drop of rain brings joy to the faces of the Thari people. No one knows the importance of rain more than the people of Thar as their life depends on rain.
Peacocks, which are one of the fascinating parts of Tharparkar’s beauty, suffer greatly during drought, which often leads to the death of hundreds of them. But when the rain comes the peacocks celebrate it.
Rain in the months of June to August helps Tharis grow wheat, vegetables and lentils. The crops not only feed their families and animals but also help them through trade. The rain brings back people who leave Thar during the pre-monsoon period.Despite the harsh climate, the Thar people’s patience deserves admiration. It is their patience and hope that bring clouds and ultimately, smile on their faces.
Rain is an important source of living, particularly for Tharis. The reason of the drought-like situation in other parts of Sindh is because of a very low percentage of forestation. We need to grow plants and keep Sindh green if we want more rain in Sindh. It has been nearly seven years since the residents of Pakistan’s Thar Desert saw a decent amount of rainfall, but this year has been different. This year’s rains have transformed the harsh landscape and its inhabitants. Farmers are tilling their land, planting seeds, and for the first time in years, expecting a good harvest. The transformation of the desert landscape has attracted tourists from all over Pakistan to marvel at the grass-lined roadways that were, until recently, just drab sand and stone.
Located in the south of Pakistan’s Sindh province, bordering India to the east, the Thar Desert is home to many varieties of indigenous trees, herbs and grass. It is the grass that provides feed for more than six million livestock. Almost all parts of Thar, including the hilly areas of Nagarparkar, Islamkot and Chachro, received rain along with thunderstorms. Thari villagers were overjoyed to have the much-awaited rains, and said that although the season of the cultivation of traditional crops was almost over, the current showers would greatly help in recharging the water table and wells and revive withering grass, which was quickly drying for lack of water for over a month. If it rained abundantly, they would be able to store rainwater in natural ponds for use in future.
It has been nearly seven years since the residents of Pakistan’s Thar Desert saw a decent amount of rainfall, but this year has been different
Two to three months ago, heavy winds accompanied by soaring temperatures hit the region. People migrated towards the barrage areas more than 200 kilometres away with their cattle. Now all that has changed. In the deep desert, a greenish coverlet has covered dunes, trees have doubled and tripled their leaves, and grass is growing with an unrestrained enthusiasm.
A farmer of the village of Dhoti was weeding out grass from his land. He was thankful for the rain, and said that he had invested PKR 20,000 on his land, and intended to work for the next three months until the harvest in the last week of November. His family of seven children seem to be as enthusiastic as he is, working from sunrise to sunset. Every family member plays a role in cultivating the desert land.
When drought hits, people and animals face an acute shortage of fodder and cereal cropsas well as water scarcity. That leads to premature births among livestock, and the malnutrition rate increases among children less than five years of age. Pregnant and lactating women do not get their required amount of food. People are forced to migrate towards the areas where barrages have been built to find fodder and water for their cattle.
This year may be a year of hope, but nothing is certain. Nothing can be said with certainty until the harvest. This time Thar has received enough rains, but there are other climatic challenges that may cause low yield. Recent attacks by grasshoppers are an issue and have the potential to cause a huge loss.
Local farmers though are optimistic. One of them had been taking on labour work during the lean period to manage household expenses. But, after the rains, his family has returned to the land. He said, “I invested PKR 30,000 last year, but due to rainfall, we only got fodder for two months and couldn’t manage to make the loan payment. This year, we welcomed a good shower, and I hope this would give us a way to fulfil our household needs until the next rains.”
Despite the amount of rain, there is an issue about the timing. Due to climate change, there has been a change in the monsoon. The desert received the first spell of rain almost a month late, and that may badly affect the harvest. Nevertheless, the people are happy, blessing their fortune this year, and hoping it marks a change from the last few years of lean rainfall.
The writer is a retired doctor of the Sindh Health Department