Water Projects in Tharparkar
Tharparkar, also known as Thar Desert, is an arid and underdeveloped district of the Sindh province. It comprises seven tehsils, i.e. Kaloi, Diplo, Mithi, Islamkot, Nangarparkar, Chachro and Dahli. It is a vast desert area covering parts of Sindh and some areas of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Tharparkar is characterized by its arid landscape, sand dunes and extreme climatic conditions, making it one of the largest deserts in South Asia.
Key points about Tharparkar:
- Geography: Tharparkar spans an area of approximately 19,637 sq.km. It is primarily situated in the Sindh province of Pakistan, but also extends into India.
- Climate: Tharparkar has a harsh desert climate, with scorching temperatures in the summer and extremely cold winters. Rainfall is limited, and the region faces water scarcity issues.
- Culture & Population: The Thar Desert is home to various ethnic groups, including the Thari people, who have their own unique culture and traditions. Every few years. Most of the estimated 1.8 million inhabitants live in the indigenously designed straw huts. In the local dialect, the hut is called a Chaunra. The population primarily depends on rainfed agriculture, animal husbandry, and handicrafts for their livelihoods.
- Livestock: The region is known for its camel and cattle farming. The local breeds of Tharparkar cattle are well adapted to the arid conditions, and are an important source of livelihood for the people.
- Challenges: Tharparkar faces several challenges, including water scarcity, droughts, and food insecurity due to its arid climate. Access to healthcare and education is also limited in some areas.
- Tourism: Despite its challenging environment, Tharparkar attracts tourists interested in exploring its unique desert landscape, traditional culture and wildlife, including various species of birds and reptiles.
In recent years, Tharparkar has gained attention due to issues related to drought, malnutrition, poverty and water scarcity. Various NGOs and government agencies are working to address these challenges and improve the quality of life for the people living in this arid region.
Dua Foundation is focused on carrying out various water projects in the Tharparkar region to address the issue of lack of clean drinking water for the underserved communities living in the desert.
