Role of Economy as Social Institution in Cholistan Desert

Abstract

Cholistan is the second largest desert of Pakistan with semi-nomadic culture. Based on its landscape, Cholistan is divided into two parts, i.e., Greater and Lesser Cholistan. This study review highlights the economic activities of native people of Cholistan, challenges faced by people and ways to improve the economic standard of native people. Due to its rough terrain, Cholistan is hardly accessible from outside except specialized vehicles. The entire Cholistan is the least populated area and the existing population is scattered among sand dunes. Cholistan is deprived of socio-economic development and hence there is a lack of basic amenities of life such as drinking water, food, education, healthcare and housing. Due to the scarcity of irrigation water and the landscape of Cholistan, there is hardly any possibility of agri-farming and production grains for livelihood. Animal herds are a major source of livelihood and sustenance for the people of Cholistan. Local people own larger herds of cows, camels, goats and sheep, which are vital for survival, i.e., food sources and money for purchasing necessities. Cholistani people do not possess formal education and skills and are unable to avail any job opportunity in the formal sector. As a result, Cholistani people are choiceless except to depend upon animal husbandry. All the family members, including women, participate in animal husbandry and other small scale agri-farming for earning a livelihood. Life is simple, and daily needs of local people are very limited, and economic activities are few in Cholistan. Social institution is playing their role to educate the people and fulfilling the economic needs of the Cholistani people.

Evaluation of Climatic and Anthropogenic Impacts on Phytosociological Aspects and Conservation Status of Native Flora in One of Protected and Unprotected Habitats of Cholistan Desert, Pakistan

“…The Cholistani people are nomadic, and rely on resources like agricultural land, livestock, natural vegetation, pasture land, water bodies (tobba), wildlife (flora and fauna) etc. When resources in one area become depleted, they migrate to another part of the desert [19]. The increase in the desert's population due to the settlement and semi settlement has intensified the demand for food and shelter, placing additional pressure on existing resources [18].…”

“…Analyzing the development and changes in arid and semi-arid regions influenced by climate change, edaphic factors, and human impacts holds great significance in understanding the current floristic status and its conservation. To date, no comprehensive study has thoroughly explained all these factors and their impacts on the Cholistan Desert [19]. Therefore, present work was conducted with the objectives (1) to assess the actual floral diversity changes at selected protected and unprotected sites (2) to analyze the effectiveness of conservation strategies adopted in CD (3) to identify the potential anthropogenic, climatic, and edaphic factors at play in study areas (4) to find relationship between vegetation diversity and identify operating factors in CD.…”