desert communities in the fields of agriculture and livestock, water, biodiversity, ecotourism and culture. Some very startling findings of the moot reveals that there is no mechanism to promote appropriate agricultural practices in the desert, and with no adequate information available, biodiversity is being compromised due to negligence.
A large piece of Cholistan is given to Houbara Foundation being run by the UAE employees. It is the hunting field for the Arabs. Flora and Fauna is not categorised properly, and their habitat is disturbed by the external elements and human interventions. Water development and conservation strategies are absent. The cultural values are diminishing and the heritage sites are unattended. The traditional housing called ‘gopa’ is being replaced by the mud/clay houses. With the population migrating to nearby towns, the total population around Derawar Fort is just 500 houses including 150 of the Hindus.
The declaration of the moot based on recommendations of the working groups suggests establishing of a larger all-stakeholders forum to initiate an integrated sustainable development strategy for the Cholistan desert.
The declaration suggests promoting indigenous groups for the cultivation of desert land instead of external elements. The Cholistan desert has rich culture that if restored and showcased adequately would bring immense increase in tourism. The comfortable ‘gopas’ (traditional Cholistani houses) shall be built for the tourists with all cultural attractions to charm the tourists. It would become major alternate source of income for the natives. Exclusive craft shops shall be part of these especially built ‘gopas’. The moot also suggests training of locals to practice eco-tourism strategies. The bio-diversity could be the main source of earning for the locals if a part of the desert converted to a safari park. The moot recommends long term public-private partnership to develop, market and mainstream livelihood alternatives.