The research delves into the unique, multi-generational knowledge systems of the Thar Desert’s pastoral and agricultural communities, focusing on their sophisticated management of water, pasture, and food resources. Centred in Jaisalmer district, the initiative explores the traditional construction and use of groundwater through ‘rejwani beri’ (shallow wells) and ‘pataali kuan’ (deep artesian wells) and surface water systems ingeniously adapted to the desert’s geology and hydrogeology.
By examining the oral inheritance of these practices through a scientific lens, the project aims to document, preserve, and share this indigenous wisdom with future generations. The approach combines rich storytelling with technical detail, producing a series of short videos and films, an illustrated guidebook, essays, photographs, and a regional geospatial database. Together, these outputs serve as a case study and practical tool for understanding self-sufficiency and ecological balance in arid environments.