Arid lands form a large percentage of the total area of Pakistan. This sizeable portion of the land has predominantly pastoral economy and is for the most part desolate and unproductive. Until irrigation came to it, Thal too was atypical desert with low rainfall, hot and desiccating winds, sand storms, scarce water and food and of course, the poverty stricken people. Although the need for development of this tract was felt since long but the project could materialize only after 1947 when refugees from across the border created tremendous pressure on the meager land resources of newly created Pakistan. To give to the poor new comers out programme of construction of canals, roads, houses and other amenities of life was worked out and successfully completed. Heavy machinery like bulldozers was put to the maximum use to level the land for agriculture and afforesation. Hither to unemployed young and the old got job opportunities in mills, factories, construction and afforestation works. Land lying waste for ages was turned into highly productive agricultural fields, fruit orchards and tree plantations. Education and medical facilities were brought at the door step of villagers. Although this programme greatly disturbed the ecological complex of the desert and had a very disconcerting effect on the indigenous fauna and flora but it clearly changed the social and economic conditions and pattern of life of the people in that part of the country.