The Great Indian Desert

A desert refers to a barren land where the rainfall is so scanty that it can support very little vegetation. India has a huge desert to the south-west of the Northern Plains. It is partly rocky and partly sandy. It is known as the Great Indian Desert or the Thar Desert. The Great Indian Desert occupies a major part of western Rajasthan. It stretches from the Aravali Hills in the east to the border of Pakistan in the west. These hills obstruct the rain-bearing winds. The winds shed rainfall on the eastern side; hence, the western sides of these hills receive very little rain. The desert was formed mainly due to low rainfall and heavy soil erosion.

Climate - The desert faces extreme type of climate. The days in summer are hot and long with hot and dry winds blowing during the day. Duststorms or sandstorms blow across the area at high speed. Towards the evening as the sun gets cooler, the nights become cool too. This happens because the sand heats up quickly and cools down very fast. Winter days are pleasant but winter nights are very cold. 

Water and Vegetation - There is occasional rainfall in deserts. During these showers the streams fill up with water. But this water is not sufficient for the needs of the people living in the desert. There are practically no important rivers in the Thar Desert except the river Luni. It is a seasonal river and many a time it disappears into the sand.

There is hardly any vegetation in the desert due to lack of rain. At some places, however, the underground water comes up to the surface through a spring. Around such places, date, palm, keekar, babul trees and grasses grow. Such a green and lush area in the desert is called an oasis. People live permanently in such areas and grow crops like maize, gram, jowar, bajra, wheat, etc. 

Indira Gandhi Canal - Our government has been making efforts to turn the desert into greenland. Water from the Sutlej and its tributaries is being diverted to the desert through a long canal. This canal is called the Indira Gandhi Canal or the Rajasthan Canal. This canal provides water to the people of Rajasthan for drinking and irrigation. 

Effects of Deforestation - The one aspect about the Thar Desert which worries all environmentalists is that its extent is increasing. Human activities are mainly responsible for this. Destruction of forests and allowing overgrazing of animals has led to increase in desert area. Therefore, we must plant more and more trees, otherwise the fertile areas of nearby states may soon turn into deserts.

 

Life in the Desert  - The western part of Rajasthan state comes under the desert region. 

Rajasthan - Rajasthan is the largest state of India. It is one of the border states of India and is located in the north-western part of India. Punjab and Haryana bound it in the north, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat in the south and Pakistan in the west and north-west borders. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. The western part of Rajasthan is a desert with little vegetation or water. The soil here is sandy. It receives very little rainfall. This desert is a part of the Thar Desert. 

Occupation - Jowar, bajra, maize, wheat and oilseeds are the major crops grown in Rajasthan. Mines of mica, copper, zinc, sandstone and marble are in plenty in Rajasthan. Cotton and woollen textiles, cement, sugar and copper smelting are the main industries here. Animal rearing is another occupation of the people besides agriculture. They rear the sheep, goat, camel and cattle. 

Lifestyle - The people of Rajasthan wear bright, colourful clothes. The men wear dhoti-kurta and a colourful turban. The women wear Ghaghra-choli with odhni to cover their head. They speak Hindi and Rajasthani. Gangaur and Teej festivals are celebrated here with great enthusiasm. 

Famous Places - Some important cities of Rajasthan are Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Ajmer. The Urs of Ajmer is very famous. Mount Abu is a famous hill station. Dilwara Temples near Mount Abu are famous for their beautiful stone carvings. Pushkar is a famous pilgrimage centre.

Rajasthan Special - Handicrafts of Rajasthan are famous all over the world. Marble work, woollen carpets, lac jewellery and embroidery are also famous.

The Great Indian Desert

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