Abstract:
According to the Alwar Gazetteer, Kishangarh Bas tehsil is a semi-arid territory in Alwar district encircled by the Aravalli Range (Ajabgarh series), which encloses fertile valleys between them. Shifting sand dunes caused by sandstorms pushed by strong summer winds from Jaipur and Jhunjhunu cover a piece of the Kishangarh Bas. This region's forest type is dry deciduous forest (Anogeissus pendula). In this tehsil, there is no permanent river. The climate is hot and dry, with summer temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (associated by sandstorms). Rain and ground water are the two main sources of water, major part of Kishangarh has water depth that varies from 20- 30m (Ground water department, 2013) which is constantly depleting over time. Environmental changes, including changing rainfall patterns and vegetation, have affected the region’s ecology, impacting local flora and fauna. Years of irrational ‘greening’ along with recent land-use changes and uncertain monsoons have altered the area (Rahman, 2022), native vegetation is being replaced by exotic plantation. While countries across the world have studied and revered their shrubland and grassland. In India, we have serious disconnect with these habitats (Bhatnagar, 2021).
It is necessary to address issues of overexploitation of water and loss of native vegetation especially grasses and shrubs, these plants can survive in such harsh conditions. Methods that will be applied to achieve ecological restoration are climatic analysis, landscape mapping, interviews, and soil analysis. This study will therefore result in design guidelines that will ensure resource efficiency through shift towards plantation of native vegetation and water conservation.
