Need to arrest further desertification of Thar

Jaipur, June 5 (UNI) On the occasion of World Environment Day, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said it is important to maintain ecological balance and conserve the environment for future generations.

State Forest and Environment Minister Laxmi Narayan Dave said the issue of development of desert remains one of the top priorities of the state government and it is constantly monitoring the state's environment.

According to ecological experts no efforts are being taken to prevent the further desertification of the Thar, although Rs 300 crore is being spent by the forest, irrigation, agriculture departments every year to arrest desertification, grow more trees and save the existing green, the ground realities tell a different tale.

The National Environment Policy 2006 also seeks to encourage watershed management strategies for arresting and reversing desertification and expanding green cover.

The groundwater level has reached an alarming depth of 400 feet.

About 10 years back, ground water in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Barmer could be found at 150 feet level but it is becoming ncreasingly difficult to find water even at 400 feet.

As villagers continue to cut wood and use them as fuel, the environment is severely effected. Moreover desert wildlife and birds have also been affected with their numbers showing a downward trend over the years.

Experts say it is important to plant trees which can survive the desert climate, which is often overlooked by the officials, hence leading to further desertification.

Moreover, the increased human movement in the area is one of the major reasons for the degarding environment.

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