I SPENT two days at Islamkot, Thar, recently. This was my third visit in five years. I have seen Thar gradually transform from inhabited sand dunes with broken roads to better roads, modern airport, a multistory TCF school, better housing, and more green trees with abundant green parrots. Natives say that they saw the parrots for the first time in December 2015.

The discovery of coal by a local company, supported by Sindh government initiatives, is helping the Tharis through poverty alleviation efforts. Results are evident in the field of education through TCF school, provision of clean drinking water, technical training and provision of jobs for adult males, truck driving training for women, peasants’ training, cattle farming training, fish farming in Gorano reservoir, upgradation of hospital, WiFi in villages and business loan for everyone who wants it. I saw a Thari entrepreneur put up an open-air restaurant parched on a sand dune. The signboard on the restaurant read, ‘Only for Families’

The coal company decided to plant 1,000,000 trees utilising Tando Jam Agricultural University’s expertise. So far 400,000 native trees have been planted. Successful experiments have also been conducted for saline water farming of fodder and fruit trees.

Parrots have decided to live permanently in Thar. These new trees are going to make Thar green and help it cool down inviting Bulbuls, cuckoos and other birds to spread the seeds throughout Thar. This is an example of showcasing what the provincial government and a private partnership can do even in the desert area for the people and future of Pakistan.

Name held on request
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2018