Abstract: The Thar Desert of Rajasthan represents one of the most extreme terrestrial ecosystems in India, characterized by low and erratic rainfall, intense solar radiation, extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations, and nutrient-poor sandy soils. Reptiles constitute a dominant vertebrate group in this ecosystem due to their remarkable physiological and behavioral adaptations that allow survival under severe environmental stress. This study evaluates adaptive strategies in selected reptilian species—including Varanus bengalensis, Calotes versicolor, Hemidactylus frenatus, and Eryx johnii—through an ecological and physiological lens. Field surveys were conducted across Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, and Jodhpur districts, incorporating observational methods, microhabitat mapping, thermal profiling, and community interactions. Findings reveal that reptiles exhibit adaptations such as metabolic depression, water conservation mechanisms, temperature-dependent activity cycles, cryptic coloration, and specialized burrowing behavior. Thermal regulatory behavior and morphological features, such as subcutaneous fat storage, keeled scales, and body flattening, directly correlate with microclimate conditions. The study highlights the critical ecological roles of reptiles as predators and indicators of desert ecosystem health. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for conservation planning in light of anthropogenic pressures, climate change, and habitat degradation.

Abstract: Water-borne diseases remain one of the most persistent public health challenges in the arid districts of Rajasthan, where climatic constraints, low rainfall, acute groundwater dependence, and poor sanitation infrastructure combine to intensify disease vulnerability. This study examines the spatial distribution, determinants, and seasonal characteristics of major water-borne diseases—diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis E—in the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Jodhpur. Using secondary health records, field observations, household interviews, and GIS-based mapping, the study highlights the significant role of water scarcity, groundwater salinity and contamination, socio-economic factors, and limited medical accessibility in shaping disease patterns. The findings reveal clear spatial clusters of high disease incidence along low-water-quality belts, fluoride-salinity zones, and densely populated rural settlements lacking proper sanitation. Seasonal analysis indicates sharp peaks during monsoon and late summer months. The study concludes that integrated water resource management, community-level awareness, improved medical accessibility, and GIS-based disease surveillance are crucial for effective mitigation.

Abstract: The Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India, is renowned for its rich heritage of traditional medicinal knowledge and domestication of medicinal plants. This paper examines the applied use of domesticated medicinal species in households, farms, and local healthcare, highlighting the integration of traditional practices into modern lifestyles. Field surveys and interviews with local practitioners, pansaris (herbalists), and households were conducted to document plant species, their applications, and preparation methods. The study reveals a sustained reliance on traditional remedies for common ailments, with adaptive strategies in response to urbanization and commercialization. Findings suggest that while modern pharmaceuticals are increasingly accessible, traditional practices remain vital for primary healthcare, cultural identity, and biodiversity conservation. Policy implications for the sustainable promotion of domesticated medicinal plants in contemporary society are discussed.

Abstract: Churu district (Shekhawati/Thar Desert region), in north-eastern Rajasthan, contains xerophytic and halophytic plant communities that local populations have used in traditional medicine for generations. This study documents habitat-wise distribution, life-forms, and applied uses of medicinal plants in Churu district and analyzes phytogeographical patterns relevant to conservation and sustainable use. Field surveys (2019–2021), semi-structured interviews with local healers and vendors, and herbarium identification produced a checklist of 56–68 medicinal species (across ~26–28 families) distributed primarily in sand-dune, sandy plain, riverine, and anthropogenic habitats. Key medicinal species include Capparis decidua, Calotropis procera, Prosopis cineraria, Aloe vera, and Tribulus terrestris. The study links distribution patterns to microhabitat, soil type, and anthropogenic pressures and offers recommendations for community-based conservation, sustainable harvesting protocols, and value-chain development for minor forest and medicinal plant products. Findings reinforce earlier ethnobotanical documentation from the region and emphasize the need for habitat-wise conservation plans.

Abstract: Traditional water harvesting systems  such as johads, kunds, tankas, baoris, and nadis have historically supported agricultural livelihoods in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. This research assesses the influence of these systems on agricultural productivity by evaluating water availability, cropping patterns, soil moisture retention, and farmers’ socio-economic dependency. Based on mixed methods—field observations, interviews with 120 farmers, participatory rural appraisal, and analysis of climatic and agricultural data (2000–2017)—the study reveals that villages with functioning Traditional Water Harvesting Systems report 18–40% higher crop yield, increased multicropping, higher groundwater recharge, and reduced climate vulnerability. The findings indicate that Traditional Water Harvesting Systems remain vital for sustainable agriculture in Rajasthan despite modern irrigation technologies. Recommendations include restoration of degraded structures, community-led water governance, revival of traditional knowledge, and integration with modern micro-irrigation techniques.