Traditional ecological knowledge based indicators for monitoring rangeland conditions in Thal and Cholistan Desert, Pakistan

•To understand the traditional ecological indicators used by the herders for the assessment of grazing resource.•An ethno-ecological interview-based survey was conducted.•Results showed that all the local herders were using similar indicators for assessing rangelands resources.•Results show promise for developing integrated indicators and monitoring protocols.•Highlight the importance of developing a common language of monitoring terminology shared by herders.