Cholistan Desert

Latest News 

• Canal Project Halted: Pakistan’s government paused the Cholistan Canal project under the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) due to widespread protests in Sindh province.

  • Objective: The canal aimed to irrigate 1.2 million acres in the arid Cholistan Desert (southern Punjab) to boost agriculture.

  • Controversy: Protests likely stemmed from inter-provincial water-sharing disputes and concerns over Sindh’s water rights.

Overview

• Location: Southern Punjab province, Pakistan, bordering Rajasthan (India) and Sindh province.

• Alternative Name: Locally known as Rohi.

• Part of: The Greater Thar Desert, which spans Pakistan and India.

• Etymology: Derived from Turkic chol (sands) + Persian istan (land).

Key Features

1. Geography:

   • Area: 25,800 km² (10,000 sq mi), covering Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan districts.

   • Terrain: 81% sandy desert, 19% alluvial flats and small dunes.

2. Climate:

   • Arid/Semi-Arid: Scant rainfall, extreme temperatures (up to 50°C in summer).

3. Water Resources:

   • Natural: Tobas (seasonal rainwater pools).

   • Artificial: Kunds (man-made underground reservoirs).

Historical & Cultural Significance

• Trade Hub: Medieval caravan routes led to the construction of forts like Derawar Fort (best-preserved example).

• Ancient River: The Hakra River (linked to the Saraswati-Ghaggar system) once sustained settlements before drying up ~4,000 years ago.

Economic & Environmental Challenges

• Agriculture: Limited due to water scarcity; pastoralism (livestock rearing) is dominant.

• Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI): Aims to modernize agriculture but faces hurdles like inter-provincial disputes and ecological concerns.

• Biodiversity: Sparse vegetation adapted to arid conditions; supports hardy species like Prosopis cineraria (khejri tree).

Key Takeaways

• Cholistan’s halted canal project highlights water governance challenges in Pakistan’s arid regions.

• The desert’s history as a medieval trade corridor and its ancient riverine past underscore its cultural significance.

• Sustainable development requires balancing agricultural modernization with ecological preservation and inter-provincial equity.

FAQs

1. Where is the Cholistan Desert located?

   • Southern Punjab, Pakistan, near the India-Pakistan border.

2. Which river historically supported Cholistan?

   • The Hakra River, now dried up, part of the ancient Saraswati-Ghaggar system.