Photo essay: Nine ways of seeing deserts as landscapes of richness – not symbols of failure

To many people, deserts they are often seen as barren, lifeless places – symbols of failure and decline. That perception has led to countless efforts to fix them through tree plantations, irrigation projects and sweeping development plans.

But the urge to green the desert says more about our assumptions and false understanding than about drylands themselves.

India’s deserts tell a remarkable story. These are landscapes of resilience and richness, shaped by centuries of ecological adaptation and cultural knowledge. From the Thar to the Deccan, they include grasslands, scrublands, and savanna ecosystems that support vibrant biodiversity, pastoralist ways of life, and a delicate balance with scarce water and tough soils.

On World Desertification and Drought Day on June 17, it’s worth attempting to see these landscapes with new eyes. Not as empty or degraded spaces in need of rescue, but as living and meaningful ecosystems full of life. They should be valued as they are.

1. The mirage of emptiness

An Oran land of Jaisalmer, often mistaken for barren, harbours an intricate root network of ephemeral grasses that act as hidden carbon vaults. Scattered across this landscape are hardy shrubs like Euphorbia caducifolia – a drought-resistant species that not only provides food for desert nomads but also offers refuge to elusive wildlife...

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