MANVĀR Aims To Reclaim Agricultural Land For Organic Farming While Creating A Desert Shrub Forest As A Haven For Unique Flora And Fauna. 400 acres of pristine desert land and dunes have been earmarked as a reserve for desert flora and fauna to flourish. The desert ecosystem is a fragile and beautiful one with highly specialised species of flora and fauna. Elsewhere invading foreign species of flora has undone this fine balance wiping out entire ecosystems. MANVĀR Desert Reserve is dedicated to conserving indigenous species whose interdependence is an experience in itself.
Deserts have always held a fascination, not unlike the ocean for humans
A sea of sand, the desert have motivated explorers and adventurers alike to voyage on the ever-changing dune-scapes. The fascination the Thar holds is unparalleled. Gateway to the Indian Silk Road, to the story called India, the Thar is also the most diverse and rich desert ecosystem in the world. This diversity also manifests itself in the richness of the traditional knowledge system of ancient communities here.
The desert fringes afford an oasis-like sanctuary for birds, with avifauna, indigenous and migratory flock to these safe havens undisturbed by human activities. Harriers to falcons, buzzards, kestrels and vultures, sand grouse and peacocks, not to mention the famed Demoiselle cranes and their feeding grounds at Khichan are sought after by birders from around the globe.
The vegetation of this region is unique with trees and shrubs such as Khejri, the lifeline of the desert, Kumatiya, Rohida (desert teak), Kair, Ber, Googal, Phog, Sevan, Dhaman, Kheemp, Thhor cactus, Aak among others providing sustenance and shade to humans and animals alike. Invading species have caused unimaginable and irreversible damage to these indigenous species elsewhere. MANVĀR Desert Reserve is set up with the express intent of creating a safe haven for the indigenous species to proliferate.
Inspiration for conservation has been taken from Bishnoi, probably the first community of people anywhere to have built an identity on the principles of conservation of wildlife are legendary for their love of all life. Settled around in the deserts of the ancient cities of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner, the Bishnois live by a set of twenty-nine commandments which implore them to love all living beings as an extension of their self. A manifestation of this is seen in the daily ritual of feeding the Chinkaras at the Bishnoi Temple of Lohawat, a 45-minute drive from MANVĀR.