Wild Plants, Beautiful Flowers in Thar Desert of Rajasthan, Potential for Eco Tourism Text and Pictures
By Rakesh Giri Goswami

Rajasthan Desert-

It is part of Thar desert of NW India covering the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat & Haryana. Total area of desert is 3.21 lac sq.kms. This is essentially sandy desert with few stony areas in between. sq.kms. area. But 61% of desert area is covered in state of Rajasthan covering 11 districts. In the non rainy days desert gives a very boring view to an onlooker. But come rains and it livens up with greenery immediately after rains and also in winter time.

Important cities/towns located in desert include Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Churu, Sikar, Nagaur, Hanumangarh, Balotara, Jalore, Sanchore.

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Desert Plants- Most of them are from xerophytes group comprising shrubs, thorny bushes, trees, creepers, herbs etc. Scientific studies have reported 682 plant species representing 352 genera, out of which 136 are said to be having some economic importance like they are edible, some having medicinal values too. There are two specific time periods when we see beautiful flowers in desert, first is rainy season and time immediately after it.

And second time period is the entire winter from October to February is also bloom time in desert. In these particular time segments part of desert area becomes not only green but also displays varied colours due to flower blooms. This in turn exhibits a scenario pleasing to the eye. Majority of plants having colourful blooms in desert are having wild growth means they grow naturally, these are not cultivated.

And probably one of the reasons why rains and winter every year is also boom time for tourism in Rajasthan desert. The time period of beautiful flower blooms is an opportunity for students, research workers, environmental scientists to study nature of desert. One speciality observed in desert is the fact that size of most of the flowers is very small, fee millimetres to few centimetres only. The occurrences of wild desert plants can be seen in many parts of this geographic region, as such they also provide opportunities for those who nature lovers and interested in eco tourism.

It is high time that the state tourism department and other travel related agencies should start thinking about developing special travel packages about eco tourism. Simple planning shall serve the purpose as no financial burden shall come to government. On the contrary this could enhance revenues.
Some pictures of plants of desert having beautiful flowers.

I Category- flowers which are noticed during rains and months after rains

 

 

Tephrosiya

II Category- flowers which are noticed during winter months from November to February

Kair- Capparis deciduas, used as vegetable, pickle, good for diabetic people

 

 

Akda-Callotropis procera, purple to blue flowers, has many medicinal properties, used for treatment of mosquito bites, and other poisons

 

 

Rohida- Tecomella undulata, this is state flower of Rajasthan state, beautiful hues of yellow& red

 

Solanum- plant having many medicinal properties

Mellon flower-also called blind love-

This flower blooms on a plant known as MATIRO, also described in scientific literature as Desert Melon because of its edible pulp. Inhabitants of desert eat pulp to get energy and it also protect them from possible dehydration in desert during summer season.

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Utakanta-Echinops echinatus, also called Kantaphala in Sanskrit, Shuliyo in Gujarati, Oont kantalo in Marwari. Flowers are blue to purple in colour

 

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