The Thar Desert, Rasthan, India Flashcards
What is the environment of the desert like?
Much of desert is: ⚫️ sandy hills ⚫️ small trees ⚫️ shrubs ⚫️ grasses ⚫️ clumps of thorn forest vegetation
The climate in the Thar Desert?
Hot and rainfall is low
What are the soils like?
The soils are generally sandy and not very fertile.
They drain quickly so there is very little surface water.
⚫️ Economic opportunities in the desert ⚫️
What is subsistence farming?
Farming to produce food for the farmer and his family.
Why is this challenging?
Because of the climate, it has unreliable rainfall and frequent droughts.
Explain how the kohl is tribe survive.
By hunting and gathering fruit and natural products such as honey.
What has been the impact of irrigation in the Thar Desert?
3500km 2 of land is under irrigation.
⚫️ Irrigation and commercial farming ⚫️
What is commercial farming?
A type of farm where crops and/or livestock is sold to make a profit.
Explain the impact of irrigation
Irrigation gives needed water for crops to grow because of the lack of rainfall.
⚫️ Mining and industry ⚫️
What minerals and stones are found in Rajasthan?
Rajasthan is rich in minerals.
Sanu limestone is the main limestone for India’s limestone industry.
What are these used for and why are they important?
The limestone is used in the building industry and the minerals are used for cement, fertiliser and plaster in construction work.
⚫️ Tourism ⚫️
Why do tourists go the thar Desert?
Because of its beautiful landscape and desert safaris
How does this benefit local people?
Local people benefit by acting as guides and by looking after the camels for the guide.
⚫️ Future challenges ⚫️
Population pressure-
Water management-
Excessive irrigation-
Soil erosion-
Fuel-
Tourism-
Population pressure- the Thar Desert is the most densely populated desert in the world, with a population density of 83 people per km2, and the population is increasing
Water management- excessive irrigation is some places has led to water logging. Slats poisonous to plants have been deposited on the ground.
Soil erosion- over cultivation and overgrazing have led to soil erosion by wind and rain. This is called salinisation.
Fuel- the main source of fuel, firewood, is running out. Maure is being used instead of being used to improve the quality of soil.
Tourism- popular because of beautiful landscapes, wealthy people go there. Local people benefit by doing guided tours on camels. The environment will suffer if tourism becomes overdeveloped.
⚫️ Sustainable management ⚫️
What are the main aims of the 1977 government-funded Desert Development?
Restore the ecological balance of the region by: ⚫️ Conserving ⚫️ developing ⚫️ harnessing land ⚫️ water ⚫️ livestock ⚫️ human resources
