Thar desert

Kekra, a form of local transport made from American Army Trucks, used by Pakistan Army and later auctioned to their final owners. These Kekras have powerful engines and therefore, are suitable for desert travel. With the advent of new roads in Thar desert, Kekras may not last that long.

Ethnic Hindu woman carrying her matkas (water carriers) to her village below.

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Image © 2009 Ameer Hamza

As more roads are built, as electricity reaches the farthest ends of Thar, as more and more urbane men and women go out in the cars and SUVs, we can only hope that the real Thar survives.

I am not sure if it will or not. So just in case I want to see it.

It is a vast land mass occupying Pakistan's southern and eastern tip and bordering India. India also has this share of desert, which it has been able to market very successfully to gora men and women. Back in Pakistan, life remains simple and without the hassle of foreigners peeking around. But that is also bad in a sense that it deprives so many people of a really good livelihood.

Now, as roads are built around encompassing major regions of Thar desert, many people from various parts of Pakistan especially Hyderabad and Karachi are doing detours of 2 to 4 days. Just to look around.

Well, that is not bad at all. But unfortunately lot of men become lecherous when they see Hindu women and go berserk. And that reduces culture into something not producible.

These photographs in a no way can let you know the charms of Thar. But it does tell you that Thar is changing - and fast.

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Published on 1/10/09