The Thar Desert

Question 1

Where is The Thar Desert situated?

Answer 1

Rajasthan in India

Question 2

What area does The Thar Desert cover?

Answer 2

200, 000km2

Question 3

What is the average rainfall per year?

Answer 3

240mm per annum

Question 4

What are the temperatures like in July?

Answer 4

In July they can reach up to 53 degrees celsius

Question 5

What is the vegetation like?

Answer 5

Mobile, sandy dunes with sparse, natural vegetations+ thin aridosols

Question 6

Name the four headings for opportunities:

Answer 6

1) Agriculture
2) Mining and Industry
3) Tourism
4) Settlement

Question 7

Which two types of farming occur in The Thar Desert?

Answer 7

1) Subsistence farming (farming for your own purposes.

2) Commercial farming (growing wheat and cotton).

Question 8

Describe subsistence farming in The Thar Desert…

Answer 8

In particular, grazing goats and sheep across very large areas of desert due to limited vegetation.- Semi-nomadic (people who have to move around however they do have a permanent home).

Question 9

Describe commercial farming in The Thar Desert..

Answer 9

It is successful because of high temperatures and irrigation with water from the Indira Ghandi Canal.

Question 10

How long is the Indira Ghandi Canal?

Answer 10

650km long

Question 11

What area does the Indira Ghandi Canal irrigate?

Answer 11

3,500km2

Question 12

Name three minerals which are mined within The Thar Desert:

Answer 12

1) GYPSUM (used in cement and plaster)
2) FELDSPAR (used in ceramics)
3) PHOSPHERITE (used to make fertilisers)

Question 13

Name another popular industry…

Answer 13

Also there is much industry based on leather products from animal hides.

Question 14

Name a place where tourism has become popular recently:

Answer 14

Jaisalmer (eg. sand dunes and camel safari’s)

Question 15

Name the two main cities within The Thar Desert:

Answer 15

Jodhpur and Jaisalmer

Question 16

Where are Jodhpur and Jaisalmer situated?

Answer 16

They are situated along the Indira Ghandi Canal where most of the industry is found so there is many employment opportunities.

Question 17

State two main problems in The Thar Desert:

Answer 17

1) Population pressure

2) Salinisation

Question 18

What is the population density of The Thar desert?

Answer 18

83 people per square km (most densely populated desert in the world)

Question 19

Where do most people live?

Answer 19

Most people live along the Indira Ghandi Canal, especially in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer

Question 20

Problem: elaborate on marginal land

Answer 20

Marginal land (land which shouldn’t really be used) is used which leads to desertification.

Question 21

Why has salinisation occurred?

Answer 21

Over irrigation of the land, especially around the Indira Ghandi Canal, water seepage and high temperatures have resulted in salinisation.

Question 22

Extra info, salinisation.

Answer 22

In areas away from the canal, over use of water has resulted in an unsustainable fall in the water table.