Desert Reclamation Using Shelterbelts in Thal

Twenty thousand ha in the Indus Basin, in Punjab between the Indus and Jhelum rivers, a tropical sandy desert area of sand dunes with cultivated inter-dune valleys.

The problem

Extreme climatic conditions with rainfall from 90mm to 350mm, hot desiccating winds of 80-90 km/hr very high evapotranspiration rates, and high temperature;
Sparse vegetative cover resulting in severe wind erosion;
Moving sands destroying crop lands, canals and infrastructure;
Declining agricultural productivity and living conditions;
Water-logging and salinity resulting from summer storms;
Shortage of surface water for irrigation in inter-dune valleys;
Fragmentation of plots under inheritance system and inability of very small holdings to feed large family units;
Shortage of fuelwood and construction timber;
Intensive grazing and browsing in summer causing destruction of vegetative cover.

The solution

Creation of shelterbelts, windbreaks and woodlots to stabilize dunes and protect croplands and infrastructure;
Using tax incentives and minimal government support to encourage land protection by wealthier farmers;
Increasing access to irrigation water from canals, tubewells; traditional wells, or purchase.

The project achievements

Stabilization of moving sand and increase in area available for cultivation (750,000 ha);
Improvement in micro-climate and decrease in number of sand storms;
Increased irrigation resulting in year round cropping;
Rehabilitation of saline-affected soils for cropping;
Increased fertility and water retention;
Doubling of crop production;
Improved manuring of soil as wood supplies replace dung as fuel;
Increased fodder supplies allowing more animals to be kept;
Increased employment e.g. road building and as farm labourers;
Better roads facilitate marketing produce;
Improved lifestyles for women with greater access to water, fuel simple technology and employment;
Improved nutrition and health;
Better housing quality because of larger incomes.

The overall achievements

Widespread enthusiasm to adopt the innovations and high rate of adoption;
Creation of long-term alternative livelihoods;
Replication beyond project area, facilitated by quick economic returns;
Community strengthening through labour sharing;
An improved environment;
Poverty alleviation.

This project was implemented by Pakistan’s Rangelands ResearchInstitute and the local communities with funds from the Government of Pakistan and local farmers.

Success Stories: West Asia