Indigenous and Modern Scientific Strategies for Characterization, Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Bio-resources of the Indian Thar Desert

The densely populated Indian Thar Desert, which extends from India to Pakistan, is the 18th largest in the world. Diurnal variation in temperature, erratic precipitation, poor soil texture, and saline tracts are serious constraints for the livelihood of humans. The Indian Thar Desert also has significant natural resources that can be harnessed to mitigate constraints and to support life of its human inhabitants. Traditional as well as modern approaches are needed to conserve and characterize biodiversity in this fragile ecosystem. Various areas of the desert are treated as sacred places to conserve the local plants and animals. Several underutilized plants have been used as nutritious foods and medicines and are important for the region. These plants need prioritization and utilization for sustainable development. Phytonutrients/antioxidant values of Desert fruits (Jujube, Ker, Sangri, Pilu) have been evaluated. Biotechnological approaches have been applied to conserve endangered and rare plants through developing micropropagation protocols. Investigations have been made to characterize diversity of below-ground microbes associated with native legumes. Efforts are being made to evaluate genetic diversity of agriculturally useful microbes from the Desert which may impart drought and salinity tolerance. This paper briefly reviews these efforts.