The great Indian desert or commonly known as the Thar Desert is an arid deserted region present in the northwestern part of India. It spans an area of 200,00 square kilometers. Its position of it allows the desert to act as a natural border between India and Pakistan. It is the 9 largest subtropical desert.
More than 80 percent of the Thar desert is in India and the remaining is present in Pakistan. This desert region is around 5 percent of the total geographical area of India. Almost 60 percent of this desert is present in Rajasthan and the remaining area is shared among Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
Geography and Climate of Thar Desert
Between the Aravalli Hills is where the northern Thar Desert is located. This desert is mostly located in Rajasthan but is also present in Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. Sand dunes of this region receive sedimentation from the coast and alluvial planes. Before the onset of the monsoon, the sand in this region is very mobile due to strong winds. There is only one river that flows in this region Luni River. This region receives an average rainfall of 100 to 500 mm which is mostly in the months of June to September. This place is home to many salt lakes like Sambhar lake, Phalodi, Kharaghoda, etc. These lakes collect water during the rainy season and evaporated during the dry season.
The climate of this region is mostly arid and subtropical. The average temperature of this region varies from time to time and from place to place. The temperatures can be below freezing temperature in winter and above 50° C in summer. This region receives an average rainfall of 100 to 500 mm in a year. Most of the rainfall received by this region is in the months of June to September.
Causes of Desertification
- The special geographical location of this region has been one of the reasons for the creation of the desert.
- This area lacks any significant mountains. The Aravalli, which runs north to south, is the sole mountain in the area. Because of this, the monsoon winds are not as erratic in this area.
- One type of warm air sweeps across the area throughout the summer. This heated air is dry and devoid of moisture. These factors explain why the area has extremely little rainfall throughout the year (less than 25 cm). This region occasionally has a complete lack of precipitation. Plants do not thrive in this area due to the lack of moisture. The Thor desert has formed in the area as a result of the area’s protracted dryness and poor rain.
Features of the Thar Desert
- The Rann of Kutch along the western coast, the Indus River alluvial plains in the northwest, Punjab and Haryana in the north, and the Aravalli Hills in the upper east make up the Thar Desert.
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Thar Desert’s soil is prone to wind disintegration and remains dry throughout the whole year.
Strong sand is carried away by swift gusts from the desert and stored in certain beneficial areas. The strong gusts force the sand mounds in the desert to move. - Non-local tree species are planted since not many native tree species can withstand the harsh desert climate.
- Jojoba has shown to be the most energizing of these and the most economically viable for growing in these areas.
- It has an arid climate and little vegetation. This is also known as Marusthali because of these distinguishing characteristics.
- The Mesozoic era is thought to have seen the area underwater. Information from the Akal Wood Fossil Park and seaside shops supports this.
- Due to the little precipitation and excessive disappearing, the area is mostly concerned with water. A few streams come to an end at a certain point and join a lake or playa to deal with an ongoing issue of inland trash.
- The primary source of salt is the salty water found in lakes and playas.
- The primary, massive watercourse in this area is the Luni River.
Flora and Fauna
In line with the absurd conditions, the fauna of bone-dry places is altered. The gradual loss of grassland and forest cover has also brought another dimension to the struggle for endurance. The panther, the Asiatic wild cat, the chinkara, the chousingha, the blackbuck, the Bengal desert fox, and other reptiles make up the majority of the natural life.
29 of the 68 species are listed in the Indian Wildlife Protection Act and call for varying degrees of assurance. Deer, rodents, rabbits, and reptiles are common food sources for desert cats. The resilient grasses and spiky plants provide food for chinkara as well as the local populations of domesticated animals. The Thar area is home to more than 141 different species of resident and transitory birds. The critically endangered remarkable Indian bustard, which was once spread throughout 11 Indian states and even Pakistan, is currently confined to the Thar’s prairie patches, where there were less than 500 individuals at the time of the latest count in 2016. It is still being followed by the feeble MacQueen’s bustard and the perplexing smaller florican.
FAQs on the Thar Desert
Question 1: Discuss the importance of the Thar Desert.
Answer:
Despite its bizarre setting, the Thar Desert may provide great opportunities for advancement. Mining is one of them, as the desert contains large reserves of minerals like feldspar and phosphorite. These minerals are important because they are used to produce a variety of products, from composts to concrete.
Question 2: Explain the plant and animal life in the Thar Desert.
Answer:
In line with the absurd conditions, the fauna of bone-dry places is altered. The gradual loss of grassland and forest cover has also brought another dimension to the struggle for endurance. The panther, the Asiatic wild cat, the chinkara, the chousingha, the blackbuck, the Bengal desert fox, and other reptiles make up the majority of the natural life.
Question 3: How much rainfall does this region receive?
Answer:
This region receives an average rainfall of 100 to 500 mm in a year
Question 4: List some of the reasons for the desertification of the Thar desert.
Answer:
The special geographical location of this region has been one of the reasons for the creation of the desert. This area lacks any significant mountains. The Aravalli, which runs north to south, is the sole mountain in the area. Because of this, the monsoon winds are not as erratic in this area.
Question 5: Discuss the climate of the Thar desert.
Answer:
The climate of this region is mostly arid and subtropical. The average temperature of this region varies from time to time and from place to place. The temperatures can be below freezing temperature in winter and above 50 degrees in summer.