The Indian Desert

The Indian Desert

Introduction

The land to the west of the Aravalli Hills, in Rajasthan, is rocky and sandy. This is the Great Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert. It stretches from the Rann of Kachchh in Gujarat thro Rajasthan to the borders of Haryana

The land

The Thar Desert is covered with a thick sheet of loose sand. At some places, there are small hills of sand called sand dunes.

Sometimes stron winds which blow here carry a large amount of sand with them. They can shift the sand dunes.

There are very few streams in the Thar Desert. They mostly remain dry. Luni is the most important river At some places, cases are found The land around an oasis is fertile. People grow crops here. Thus. most villages are situated around an oasis.

Fact Wise

Sand dunes are also found on Mars. Wind can shift these sand dunes like the ones found in Earth's deserts

The Indian Desert

Climate

The Thar Desert remains hot and dry throughout the year. There is very little or no rainfall. In summer days are very hot and nights are cool. In winter, days are warm and nights are very cold.

Natural vegetation

A hot and dry climate means that mostly scattered bushes and thorny shrubs grow here. The khejri, kikar and babul trees grow in the eastern part of the desert. Animals such as camels, blackbucks, chinkaras and great Indian bustards are found in this region. The camel is the most useful animal. Can you tell why?

The Indian Desert

Water supply

"There is always very little water. Village women walk long distances to fetch water. The state government is trying to provide water for domestic use and irrigation. Water from River Satluj has been brought to the desert through the Indira Gandhi Canal. Farmers can thus grow wheat, mustard and cotton