Tharparkar is largest desert region of Sindh- Pakistan having multicultural and religious diversity. Tharparkar is compelling tale of resilience and adaptation associated with his inhabitants keeping inspiring history of combatting adversities of climate change.
Tharparkar as arid region primarily depends on monsoon rains. The socioeconomic survival of inhabitants is deeply connected with the rhythms of the monsoon.
Due to arid and harsh conditions, large number of families from different parts of Tharparkar migrate seasonally in search of livelihood and for survival of livestock, considering one of major source of livelihood and nutrition for families.
Multiple reasons influence inhabitants of socially backward areas to decide for seasonal migration, Thar desert receives scare rainfall that make challenging for already vulnerable families to survive in hardships. In Thar Desert agricultural and livestock rearing are highly dependent on the monsoon, in particular context scare or delayed rains cause crop failures and less production, neither livestock as integral part of local economy survives, which requires plenty water and fodder resultantly adversity push those families to explore odd jobs in agriculturally rich areas and urban settlements of Sindh.
Source: This video is taken through https://youtu.be/RQ5wzjpvZTM
Seasonal migration had never been the best choice for these vulnerable communities, a migrant family faces many challenges, in most of cases family split into able-bodied members who migrate for work and elderly men and women stay at homes, migrant children disconnect from their basic right of education, due to unsafe working and living conditions, seasonal migrant families expose to potential risks. In many cases, their voice against injustice remain unheard and unaddressed.
Year’s long tale of seasonal migrants of Tharparkar reflect indigenous approach of resilience and adaptation to address adversity of climate change.
It is difficult to explain the emotions and sense of relief for migrant family when monsoon rains start. They take first drop of rain as divine whistle to go back home. They had spent months away from home for survival. Now, they finally return to their beloved Thar.
In current monsoon migrant families spread over to different regions of Sindh start packing their belongings tightly as to move towards their homes. They feel so happy heading to the arid landscape with great hope that again monsoon will bring good days for families, relatives and area. When they reach village, they will found completely changed village and surrounding with lush greenery replaced the barren expanses. After return, these migrant families will take advantage of the monsoon to rebuild their lives in the land they loved.