ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur: Erosion Processes and Desertification in the Thar Desert of India

Abstract

In early and mid-twentieth century, there were speculations and apprehension that the Thar Desert is spreading towards east and it may cover large fertile areas of present day Punjab, Haryana, west Uttar Pradesh and east Rajasthan. Therefore, the Government of India established a Desert Afforestation Research Station at Jodhpur, Rajasthan in 1952 mainly to focus on sand dune stabilization and shelterbelt plantations to reduce wind erosion. In 1957, it was reorganized as Desert Afforestation and Soil Conservation Station. Just after two years (in 1959), it was restructured as the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI).