Physical Features of India – Deserts

Introduction

India, a vast and diverse country, is home to various physical features, including mountains, plains, and deserts. The desert region, though small, plays a crucial role in shaping India’s climate, economy, and culture. The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a unique and fascinating region that has adapted to the harsh conditions.

Location 

India Desert is located in the north-west of India and has an area of about three hundred thousand sq km. And it spread over the state of Rajasthan, Gujarat and down towards the southern part of Punjab and the haryana. This is an area that lies within the desert and is bordered by the Aravalli mountain ranges in the southeast and the Indo-Gangetic plain in the northeast and on the southwest by the Arabian sea.

Climate and Weather Patterns

• Temperature: The climates in the area are severely hot during summer or summer-like temperatures can rise up to 34000/50°C (122° F) and plunge down to -100/ -10°C (14°F) in winter. There are also pronounced diurnal temperature fluctuations, which can go up to 20 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit), while the difference between the day and night temperatures is also quite noticeable.
• Rainfall: In general, the quantity of rainfall lowers in the desert and according to estimates the average annual measure of rainfall does not surmount 25 sm (10 inches). The rainfall is also dissatisfied and unscheduled; hence they spend more often than not, in the drouthy districts.
• Wind: They noted that the prevalent weather in the area includes wind, especially when the months are high. Other winds are known as “loo” and are from the north-western region and are also among the powerful winds. These winds could be hot and may be accompanied by Red Sand or during the night by White Sand or sometimes hot and dry with dust whirls.

Physical Characteristics

• Sand Dunes: In desert, sand calamities are measured in great levels, the most extreme of which has been distinguished to ascend to as much as 60 metres (200 feet). This is because sand dunes are formed through the accumulation of sand grains and through wind erosion the sand dunes continually migrate.
• Arid Landscape: From here, one can conclude that the area has a desert-like climate, vest limited surfaces of vegetation and little water. Wildlife enthusiasts can also explore the geography of the region – mesas, with numerous spurs of rock, as well as sandstone hills and dry river valleys.
• Salt Lakes: This desert is famous for several salt water lakes such as the Great Rut Rann of Kutch and Little Rut Rann of Kutch. These are formed due to the action of evaporation, where as a result, water is precipitated in the form of a salt and minerals layer.

Economic Significance

• Agriculture: However, the climate of the desert region is very severe but agriculture has found to be a major activity here, some of the products being cotton, wheat and pulses. The region also enjoys animal husbandry particularly in dairy farming with many dairy cooperatives being established in the region.
• Mineral Resources: The desert also contains mineral and other natural resources such as limestone, gypsum and salt. Oil and gas fields are also located in the region, The Tendoucoum basin is part of the large offshore oil and gas producing region.
• Tourism: Tourists access the desert area since it has a peculiar culture and geographical area that people can only witness rather than experiencing after a few minutes. The region also hosts several festivals, folk singers and dancers, and exotic foods and drinks.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Water Scarcity: Water food security is another challenge of the desert region whereby water rationing is a frequent occurrence in the region coupled with limited water availability to support agricultural production. There is overdrawing of water from the aquifers, highly exploited; this is a major natural resource.
• Soil Erosion: Another socio-ecological challenge relates more to the area’s particular vulnerability to soil erosion, which hampers agricultural production. It is also noted that the soil is highly saline and alkaline which hinders the process of agriculture significantly.
• Conservation Efforts: Organising afforestation programs and wildlife sanctuaries, is some attempts made by the government for the conservation of the trees and animals. It also possesses several parklands and wildlife reserves that include the Desert National Park, as well as the Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary.

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