One of the harshest landscapes on Earth is turning green: The Thar Desert in northwestern India. Rainfall, irrigation, and human intervention have transformed parts of Rajasthan’s desert into farmland. But is this greening a sign of revival, or a warning that a fragile ecosystem is being pushed past its limits? What happens here could decide the future of deserts everywhere.
In the heart of the Thar Desert, farmer Chuna Ram Choudhry can hardly believe his luck. Despite the region’s harsh climate and minimal rainfall, his fields are flourishing with crops like pearl millet, wheat, cumin, and mung beans. This unexpected bounty is part of a broader trend. Rainfall has increased significantly in recent years, and human innovation is playing a vital role in turning the desert green.
Experts like Professor Vimal Mishra from IIT Gandhinagar confirm that while rainfall has risen by over 60% since 2001, human intervention is equally responsible for the desert’s transformation. Farmers are using hybrid seeds, digging borewells, and adopting new irrigation techniques to boost yields. As a result, harvests have doubled, and desert cities have seen population growth of up to 800% in just two decades. However, this progress comes with risks. Ecologist Dr. Chetan Misher warns that excessive irrigation with saline groundwater is damaging the soil and threatening the desert’s natural resilience.
Restoring Balance: Native Trees and Smarter Irrigation
To counteract these effects, the SankalpTaru Foundation is working to restore the desert’s ecological balance. By removing invasive species and planting over 700,000 native trees, they’re helping revive local biodiversity. Their support for farmers includes training in soil health and installing micro-drip irrigation systems that conserve water and automate care. While the greening of the Thar Desert offers hope, it also raises important questions about sustainability and the long-term health of this unique ecosystem.
This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.