Impact of irrigation on desert development - A case study of Thal desert in Pakistan
Impact of irrigation on desert development - A case study of Thal desert in Pakistan
Mahmood Iqbal Sheikh
ABSTRACT
Arid lands form a large percentage of the total area of
Pakistan. This sizeable portion of the land has
predominantly pastoral economy and is for the most part
desolate and unproductive. Until irrigation came to it,
Thal too was atypical desert with low rainfall, hot and
desiccating winds, sand storms, scarce water and food
and of course, the poverty stricken people. Although the
need for development of this tract was felt since long
but the project could materialize only after 1947 when
refugees from across the border created tremendous
pressure on the meager land resources of newly created
Pakistan. To give to the poor new comers out programme
of construction of canals, roads, houses and other
amenities of life was worked out and successfully
completed. Heavy machinery like bulldozers was put to
the maximum use to level the land for agriculture and
afforesation. Hither to unemployed young and the old got
job opportunities in mills, factories, construction and
afforestation works. Land lying waste for ages was
turned into highly productive agricultural fields, fruit
orchards and tree plantations. Education and medical
facilities were brought at the door step of villagers.
Although this programme greatly disturbed the ecological
complex of the desert and had a very disconcerting
effect on the indigenous fauna and flora but it clearly changed the social and economic conditions and pattern
of life of the people in that part of the country.
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June 1988
Vol. 38, Iss. 2
