Valuation of Ecosystem Services from Sand Dune Stabilization in Indian Thar Desert

Arid regions face severe challenges due to wind-induced sand erosion, which accelerates land degradation and disrupts the ecological balance. The mobility of unstabilized sand dunes exacerbates these challenges by encroaching on arable land, damaging infrastructure such as roads and buildings, and threatening the local biodiversity. This dynamic process undermines agricultural productivity and increases its vulnerability to extreme weather events, thereby impacting food security and the livelihoods of communities dependent on these fragile ecosystems. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies and their associated economic and environmental costs for evidence-based decision-making to prioritize interventions and allocate resources while balancing immediate human needs and long-term sustainability. In this paper, authors provide a comprehensive assessment of the conditions affecting sand dunes, including the dynamics of sand mobilization, stabilization methods employed, and the economic benefits of sand dune stabilization technologies. Looking forward, this paper proposes pathways for scaling up the deployment of sand dune stabilization technologies, emphasizing their integration into desertification control, afforestation, and water conservation programs. I hope this paper will be a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders in understanding the technological gaps in sand dune stabilization efforts and in designing sustainable land management practices for ecologically fragile arid environments.