# A Rajasthan Pastoralist Grows 250 Trees On Salty Sambhar Lake Banks, Lowering Summer Temperatures By 10 Degrees Naturally

> A pastoralist has grown over 250 Ardu trees on the salty shores of Jaipur's Sambhar Lake over six years, lowering local temperatures by up to 10°C during peak summers.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-09-16 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/sambhar-lake-ke-khare-kinare-para-jayprakash-gurjar-ne-ugaya-250-peron-ka-anokha-jngala-48-digri-tapamana-men-milati-hai-10-digri--32703 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Sambhar Lake, Jayprakash Gurjar, Jaipur News, Environmental Conservation, Ardu Trees, Natural AC, Rajasthan Tourism

The world-famous Sambhar Lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is renowned for its vast salt pans and highly saline environment, where sustaining any form of green life seems nearly impossible. However, this seemingly impossible feat has been turned into a breathtaking reality by Jayprakash Gurjar, a resident of Kuchya ki Dhani in Sambhar Lake. Driven by a deep passion for environmental conservation, this humble pastoralist has single-handedly transformed a barren, salt-encrusted patch of land along the lake's edge into a thriving forest featuring over 250 Ardu trees.

 

## Financial Hardship of Lockdown and the Shift to the Lakeside

Jayprakash Gurjar primarily earns his living as an animal herder, grazing his herd of sheep and goats daily around the lake area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the nationwide lockdown brought severe financial distress upon his family, forcing them to leave their village home. With no other option left, they built a temporary mud hut right on the barren shores of Sambhar Lake. Living there under the scorching sun with hot winds blowing across the open landscape was agonizing, as there was absolutely no shade. It was during these challenging times that Jayprakash conceived the idea of planting Ardu trees, a species known for its rapid growth and low water requirements.

 

## Salty Soil, Village Skepticism, and Unwavering Resolve

Initiating this green drive on highly saline, unproductive soil was an uphill task. When Jayprakash first started planting the saplings, local villagers doubted his efforts, telling him that trees would never survive in such salty ground. Undeterred by the skepticism, Jayprakash persisted with his mission. Lacking any modern irrigation facilities, he fetched water manually from a nearby well day after day, carrying it to the lakeside to water each sapling. He nurtured these young plants with the same care and dedication one would show to their own children.

 

## Six Years of Relentless Effort Yields a Natural AC House

Today, the fruits of his six years of continuous hard work, nurturing, and dedication are visible to all. The tiny saplings have matured into a dense canopy of tall, majestic trees. The microclimate created by this mini-forest is so powerful that even when peak summer temperatures in the Sambhar region soar to a blistering 48°C, the temperature within Jagi Ram’s homestead remains up to 10°C cooler. Inside his shelter, one can experience a refreshing, air-conditioner-like breeze without relying on any electric fans or coolers.

 

## A Shelter Transformed into a School and Tourist Hotspot

This cooler sanctuary has evolved beyond being just a family home. During the daytime, local children gather under the cool shade of these trees to study and play. During the monsoon month of Shravan, swings are tied to the sturdy branches, filled with laughter and traditional songs. This striking contrast of lush greenery and soothing cool air right next to a barren salt lake is now capturing the attention of travelers. Visitors from far and wide are now flocking to this unique destination to witness the miracle of this natural air-conditioned haven.

## What this means for you
This story offers a practical and inspiring blueprint for environmental conservation and restoring barren lands.

- **Across India:** Farmers and pastoralists nationwide can learn from this technique to plant drought-resistant trees on degraded lands. This provides them with an additional source of income and a sustainable fodder option for livestock.
- **In Rajasthan:** Residents of desert and high-temperature regions in the state can plant fast-growing Ardu trees around their homes to find natural relief from heatwaves. This will significantly reduce their reliance on electricity and expensive cooling appliances.

## Why this happened
This green transformation was driven by the hardships of the pandemic and one individual's determination to adapt to harsh environments.

- **Lockdown-Induced Displacement:** Financial distress during the COVID-19 pandemic forced Jayprakash to live in a temporary shelter on the barren lakefront, where intense heatwaves made daily survival difficult without shade.
- **Strategic Selection of Ardu:** He chose Ardu trees because of their botanical resilience, requiring minimal water and holding the ability to survive in saline soils while growing rapidly.
- **Persistent Forestation Efforts:** Despite skepticism from locals, Jayprakash fetched well water manually for six years, proving that consistent human care can reclaim even the most hostile soils.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Where is this natural 'AC house' located?
It is located in Kuchya ki Dhani along the shores of the famous Sambhar Lake in Jaipur district, Rajasthan.

### 2. Who created this forest and how?
It was created by a pastoralist named Jayprakash Gurjar through six years of continuous hard work and manual watering.

### 3. What kind of trees are planted here, and how many are there?
More than 250 Ardu trees, which grow rapidly with minimal water, have been planted here.

### 4. By how much does this forest reduce the temperature during peak summers?
Even when temperatures in the Sambhar region hit 48°C, the temperature under this canopy remains up to 10°C lower.

### 5. Why did Jayprakash Gurjar decide to plant trees on this barren land?
Due to financial crisis during the COVID-19 lockdown, he had to live in a hut by the lake, and he planted these trees to escape the intense heat.

## Inspiration & Lessons
Jayprakash Gurjar's journey is a powerful testament to resilience and environmental stewardship in the face of adversity.

- **Turning Adversity into Opportunity:** Instead of succumbing to lockdown-induced hardships, he chose to actively improve his living conditions by planting trees.
- **Unwavering Grit and Patience:** Despite facing ridicule from fellow villagers and dealing with harsh saline soil, he persisted with his vision for six long years.
- **Choosing Smart Ecological Solutions:** He selected Ardu, a native and climate-appropriate species, showcasing the importance of picking the right plants for challenging terrains.

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