No AC, still 8 degrees cooler. Rajasthan’s desi cooling system made from trees offers relief even in scorching summer heat.

India is reeling from a massive heatwave at the moment, with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicating a likely return of El Niño conditions as early as May–July this year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of persistent heatwave conditions between April and June, with temperatures staying significantly above normal in many parts of the country in the coming weeks. As the mercury crosses 45 degrees in some states, life without air-conditioners or coolers has become impossible now, especially in urban metro cities. But with the constant electricity consumption comes the soaring power bills.

All about Rajasthan’s desi AC

Amid this, Rajasthan, known for its dry and humid weather conditions, is beating the unbearable summer heat by resorting to natural solutions. In rural areas of western Rajasthan, people find respite from the blazing sun by sitting under the dense and evergreen canopy of mithi jal tor peelu rees, scientifically known as Salvadora oleoides.




According to a report published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Biological Sciences, Salvadora oleoides is an oil-yielding medicinal and multipurpose tree that belongs to the family of Salvadoraceae. It is commonly found in arid regions of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra and Gujarat. In Rajasthan, it forms a dominant part of the vegetation of Jodhpur, Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Churu, Jhunjhunu and Nagaur. The tree also has several medicinal benefits.

Natural way to stay cool without AC

As per a video posted on Instagram by The Better India, the mithi jal trees create a natural shade for people with their thickly-clustered leaves. As a result, the space inside remains 5-8 degrees cooler than the surroundings even in the hot afternoon. In places where electricity isn’t always available, this desi AC becomes a form of survival. People gather inside the cool shade, resting and relaxing with their livestock, finding relief in the middle of extreme heat.

But this isn’t the only hack that Rajasthanis use to keep cool. Some people even create wet curtains, made from khas, also known as vetiver grass. This natural method of keeping heat at bay works much like an air cooler, using water evaporation. When hot air moves through these damp vetiver curtains, the water absorbs the heat, making the air entering inside cooler and fresher. Just like in air-coolers, we have to pour water or ice into the machine from time to time; here, too, people need to sprinkle water on the vetiver grass walls to keep the temperatures cool inside.