From the archive record
Desert National Park, one of India's most important protected desert ecosystems. Located in the heart of the Thar Desert, the park preserves a unique blend of wildlife, traditional communities, and rugged desert terrain. The scene features scattered village settlements and dhanis perched on arid ridges, surrounded by sandy soil, rocky outcrops, thorny shrubs, and native desert grasses. These settlements have coexisted with the desert environment for generations, adapting to the extreme climate and limited water resources. A highlight of the landscape is the traditional Bhunga hut, a circular mud structure topped with a conical thatched roof. Designed specifically for desert conditions, these homes provide natural insulation against intense summer heat, cold winter nights, and powerful sand