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Desert National Park Landscape (Rajasthan)

The landscape in Rajasthan spans across the Jaisalmer and Barmer districts and includes the Desert National Park. It covers 674 082 ha. The landscape is particularly important for its biodiversity and has one of the richest plant diversities among the deserts of the world.
The project aligns with State policies and priorities, particularly the ‘Rajasthan Vision 2020’ and the Desert National Park management plan, as shown in table below.
Summary of landscape in Rajasthan
S.No. Particulars Details
1 Landscape Desert National Park Landscape
2 Protected Areas / Biosphere reserves within landscapes Desert National Park
3 Global environmental values • Last ecological refuge for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
• Largest population of spiny tailed lizard
• Richest plant diversity among the deserts of the world
• Sewan grass, one of the finest fodder grasses in the country
4 Socioeconomic Information
4.1 Districts included in the landscape Barmer and Jaisalmer
4.2 Number of villages in the target landscape 94
4.3 Population in the target landscape 68 734
4.4 Key ethnic groups Minas, the Mevs, the Banjaras, and the Bhils (one of the oldest tribes in India). Others include the Gadia Lohars, the Kalbelias, and the Garasias
4.5 Dominant agricultural produce Pearl Millet, Cluster Bean (Guar) and Cumin Mustard etc.
4.6 Livelihoods The primary occupation of the villagers in the landscape is animal husbandry followed by agriculture, which is predominantly rainfed. This region has a high number of small ruminats in livestock. Most of the pastoralists are nomadic in nature. With respect to agriculture, there is no certainity of rains. As a result, kharif crop is primarily cultivated.
Project alignment with Rajasthan State policy and priorities
S.No. State Policy and Priority Project alignment
1 Rajasthan Vision 2020- the way forward This project is well aligned with several priorities identified in the current State plan including conservation of natural and cultural heritage, and handicrafts; promotion of tourism; expansion of people’s capabilities and enable them to access opportunities; and enhance farm productivity and income through crop-livestock integrated production system. The project is also aligned with several “thrust areas” identified in the plan, particularly, developing indigenous safeguards due to variable rainfall affecting agriculture; encouragement to animal husbandry; improving quality of land and water; value addition to agriculture; enhancing participatory planning by empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions, etc.
2 Desert National Park Management Plan The project is well aligned with all the key objectives of the management plan, which includes the maintenance and improvement of fragile and unique desert ecosystem in its natural form; protection of rare, threatened and endangered elements of flora and fauna of the desert; increase in the population of Great Indian Bustard by securing the breeding areas and enriching its habitat; and promotion of eco-development and ecotourism to achieve the overall development of the villages.