Thar Desert

Question 1

What are the problems?

Answer 1

Population pressure - 83 per km3
Most people live along Indira Ghandi Canal
Causes desertification
Salinisation - over irrigation seepage and 53’
Tourism - erosion and over crowding in fragile environment

Question 2

How is this managed?

Answer 2

1977 Desert Development Programme
To restore ecological balance by conserving and developing both water and land
Forestry - Prosopis Cineraria well suited
Central Arid Zone Research Institute developed Ber Tree low rainfall large fruits
Stabilising sand dunes

Question 3

What are the opportunities?

Answer 3

Tourism - Jaisalmer is honeypot
Agriculture- subsistence and commercial farming
Mining and Industry
Settlement - Jodphur and Jaisalmer along the Indira Ghandi canal