MULTAN, Jun 1 (APP):: Stretching from central to South Punjab as a resilient and life-sustaining Doab – Thal, the Pakistan’s smallest desert, is a symbol of enduring human spirit, long thriving in an environment fraught with challenges.
Breathing between the mighty Indus to its west and twin rivers Chenab and Jhelum to the east, Thal revolves around hope with life often harsh and every drop of water deemed as a precious blessing.
Most of the land of this over 20,000 square kilometer stretch is barren and arid as it makes parts of Bhakkar, Khushab, Layyah, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh and some segment of Jhang district.
There are also some plain irrigated areas where people grow food crops like chickpea (Chana) and wheat and some other crops.
In raid-fed areas, fodder crops like Sorghum, Berseem are cultivated but their survival depends on rains.
Singing folk songs is an ancient tradition. Dr. Ashu Lal, a noted intellectual from Layyah district, narrated that “in ancient times Thal people used to sing folk songs to seek divine intervention for rainfall and in some areas they still cling to this tradition.”
“So the singing for them was like a ‘Dua’ to save them from harsh climatic conditions,” Ashu Lal said.
Their music, rich in melody and culture, resonates in vast expanse of Thal, as a spiritual and practical expression of hope for better days.
Historically, the Thal Desert was an expanse of raw wilderness and largely ignored in colonial development plans. The British described it as a “tract of barrenness,” inhabited by scattered Rajputs, Jats and Baloch clans, sustaining through rudimentary agriculture and nomadic grazing.
People find solace in vibrant oral tradition, colorful folk tales and deep spiritual connections to Sufi saints, shaping a cultural identity rooted in simplicity, endurance and faith. They are brave, cultured and know how to endure harsh living conditions. Out of around 3.5 million populace, most of them live in rural areas with meagre civic amenities.
Their lifestyle remains deeply tied to desert with agriculture and livestock the key components of their economy. They build mud houses (Chhappars) as families live in extended kinship systems, helping one another during seasonal hardships. Folk dances, handcrafted embroidery and soulful music adds color to an otherwise sepia-toned environment.
“In ancient times, women traditionally called ‘Malariyan’ remained confined to household roles,” said Imtiaz Hussain, a social media activist and researcher on Thal culture from Khushab. “But things changed gradually and now they approach local markets to sell crafts, vegetables and dairy products.”
Another known tradition was that when any persons used to build a house, his sister would buy a clay pot (Gharra), fill it with water and travel long distance to deliver it to her brother as a symbol of congratulation and the brother also used to respond with gifts.
“But, these traditions are fading away,” says Abdul Majeed, a teacher from Layyah as he referred to diminishing wells (khoh) and Persian wheels. “Like the oasis in Arabian deserts, there used to be ‘Khoh’ and Persian Wheels; the sources to meet water needs of Thal people and a place for community gathering.”
“This scene is also very scarce these days,” Majeed said mentioning to fading tradition of folk festivals (Mela). “Now only two Melas are held annually. Khoh and Persian wheels have become stories of the past and people are now converting to tube wells and solar systems.”
The government has also introduced irrigation systems for the area, most importantly the Greater Thal Canal that would irrigate 1.9 million acre areas across Thal, said an agriculture department official.
“The government is also assisting farmers to install drip or sprinkle irrigation powered by solar energy, to improve water conservation.”
Despite its arid nature, Thal also features pockets of forested areas of kikar (Acacia nilotica), bair (Ziziphus jujuba) and wan (Salvadora oleoides); managed by the Punjab forest department to provide wood, fuel and grazing grounds.
The government also embarked on afforestation, especially linear plantation along the Greater Thal Canal and small forest blocks.
Some forest zones in Thal support desert wildlife like Chinkara deer, desert foxes, partridges and reptiles besides occasional presence of migratory birds in these patches during winter.
Ashu Lal says, during winters the area produces nutritious gram (chickpea) crops and starts behaving like a powerhouse of agriculture, producing healthy crops.
He regretted illegal human intervention that had decimated once-thriving Jaal Forest, a 15-kilometer-long mangrove-like expanse of Water Tree along the river, causing loss to watershed area and biodiversity.
In recent years, Thal desert has witnessed gradual transformation as the governments have introduced better roads, solar-powered water pumps and limited canal irrigation.
Modern education, is gaining ground.
Girls’ schools, mobile health units and digital awareness campaigns are now part of new narrative. Though infrastructure remains a challenge, yet hopes are still ripe.
Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) hold annual Thal Jeep Rally and TDCP Multan’s Regional Manager Syed Haidar Raza notes that prices of land increased along 200-km long route of the rally.
“Every year, there is a festival like atmosphere when adventure hungry racers speed through the sandy tracts of Thal.”
Thal is no longer a forgotten corner of Punjab. It is a living testament to human spirit’s ability to adapt, survive and thrive.
As it is transforming to solar panels from camel bells, its future depend on how the people and the government work together to address its complex issues.
APP/ifi/maz (APP Feature Service)