Editing Thar Desert (section)

==Economy==
===Agriculture===
The Thar is one of the most heavily populated desert areas in the world with the main occupations of its inhabitants being agriculture and animal husbandry.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raza |first1=Fawwad |title=Modern Agriculture Techniques in the Desert of THAR - Scientia Magazine |url=https://scientiamag.org/modern-agriculture-techniques-in-the-desert-of-thar/ |access-date=1 November 2024 |date=31 March 2021}}</ref>

Agricultural production is mainly from [[kharif crops]], which are grown in the summer season and seeded in June and July. These are then harvested in September and October and include [[Pearl millet|bajra]], [[pulses]] such as [[guar]], [[jowar]] (''[[Sorghum vulgare]]''), maize (''[[zea mays]]''), [[sesame]] and [[Bambara groundnut|groundnuts]].

The Thar region of Rajasthan is a major opium production and consumption area.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://main.icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/icmr_bulletins/bulljan-mar08.pdf |title=ICMR Bulletin vol.38, No.1-3, Pattern and Process of Drug and Alcohol Use in India |access-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328054240/https://main.icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/icmr_bulletins/bulljan-mar08.pdf |archive-date=28 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/will-rajasthan-opium-farmers-vote-for-change-1401355-2018-12-03 |title=Will Rajasthan opium farmers vote for change? |access-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510113738/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/will-rajasthan-opium-farmers-vote-for-change-1401355-2018-12-03 |archive-date=10 May 2022}}</ref>
{{gallery
|File:Grain millet, early grain fill, Tifton, 7-3-02.jpg|Bajra is the main [[kharif crop]] in Thar.
|File:4 KLM Mustard.jpg|Mustard fields in a village of Shri Ganganagar district (Rajasthan, India).
}}
{{clear}}

===Livestock===
{{gallery
|File:Tharparkar 02.JPG|[[Tharparkar cattle|Thari]] cow breed originating from [[Tharparkar District|Tharparkar]], Sindh, popular since [[World War I]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/tharparkar|title=Breeds of Livestock - Tharparkar Cattle — Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science|website=afs.okstate.edu|access-date=2019-08-05}}</ref>
|File:Cows in India 2007.JPG|Cattle in the Thar Desert
}}

===Agroforestry===
[[File:Khejro Lopping.JPG|thumb|Lopping of ''khejri'' tree for fodder and fuel in [[Harsawa]] village]]

<!--<ref>[http://www.ecoworld.com/Home/Articles2.cfm?TID=341 "Arid Agriculture: State-of-the-Art Agro-Forestry vs. Deserts on the March"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061219083939/http://www.ecoworld.com/Home/Articles2.cfm?TID=341 |date=19 December 2006 }}. Brook & Gaurav Bhagat 14 August 2003</ref>-->

''P. cineraria'' wood is reported to contain high calorific value and provide high-quality fuel wood. The lopped branches are good as fencing material. Its roots also encourage [[nitrogen]] fixation, which produces higher crop yields.
[[Image:Rohida1.jpg|thumb|''Tecomella undulata'' tree in the village of [[Harsawa]]]]

===Ecotourism===
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2011}}
Desert safaris on camels have become increasingly popular around Jaisalmer. Domestic and international tourists frequent the desert seeking adventure on camels for one to several days. This [[ecotourism]] industry ranges from cheaper backpacker treks to plush Arabian-Nights-style campsites replete with banquets and cultural performances. During the treks, tourists are able to view the fragile and beautiful ecosystem of the Thar Desert. This form of tourism provides income to many operators and camel owners in Jaisalmer, as well as employment for many camel trekkers in the desert villages nearby. People from various parts of the world come to see the Pushkar ka Mela (Pushkar Fair) and oases.
{{gallery
|File:Thar Khuri.jpg|Camel ride in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer, India
|File:Purple Skies of Jaisalmer.jpg|Sunrise in the desert
}}

===Industry===
The government of India initiated departmental exploration for oil in 1955 and 1956 in the Jaisalmer area,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/2nd/2planch18.html |title=PlanningCommission.NIC.in |access-date=16 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060414235126/http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/2nd/2planch18.html |archive-date=14 April 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Oil India Limited discovered natural gas in 1988 in the [[Jaisalmer basin]].<ref>[http://oilindia.nic.in/ourcomp_spread_rajasthan.htm OilIndia.NIC.in] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630062216/http://oilindia.nic.in/ourcomp_spread_rajasthan.htm |date=30 June 2006}}</ref> <!-- Also known for their fine leather [[messenger bag]]s made from wild camels native to the area. -->