Thar Desert Case Study - Unit 1B

Where is the Thar Desert?

Across NW India and into Pakistan - Mostly in Rajasthan state

200,000 km²

What is the Thar Desert like?

Sandy infertile soil - drains quickly

Mostly sandy hills with dunes + clumps of thorn forest vegetation

100-240mm per year rainfall

Summer Temps reach 53C

What are the main opportunities for development in the Thar Desert

Mineral Extraction

Tourism

Energy

Farming

(Mineral Extraction) - What valuable reserves of minerals are there in the Thar Desert and what are they used for?

gypsum (used in making plaster for the construction industry and in making cement)

feldspar (used to make ceramics)

phosphorite (used for making fertiliser)

kaolin (used as a whitener in paper).

(Mineral Extraction) What are the valuable reserves of stone in the Thar Desert

Sanu Limestone at Jaisalmer - main source of limestone for Indi’s steel industry

Marble at Jodhpur - construction industry

What sources of energy is the Thar Desert rich in?

Coal

Oil
Wind
Solar

(Energy) How is the Thar Desert rich in Coal?

Extensive lignite coal deposits

Thermal energy plant constructed at Giral

(Energy) How is the Thar Desert rich in Oil?

Large oilfield in the Barmer district discovered

(Energy) How is the Thar Desert rich in Wind?

Jaisalmer wind park constructed in 2001 - India’s largest wind farm

(Energy) How is the Thar Desert rich in Solar ?

Sunny, cloudless skies ideal for solar

Bhaleri solar power used in water treatment

How do most people in the Thar Desert farm?

Subsistence farming

graze animals on grassy areas, cultivate veg and fruit trees

How has commercial farming been made possible in the Thar Desert?

Irrigation

wheat,cotton,pulses,seasame,maize,mustard grown

How many people visit the Thar Desert a year and why?

Beautiful landscapes

tens of thousands visit each year, many from Pakistan

What is a popular tourist activity in the Thar Desert

Desert Safaris on Camels from Jaisalmer

How does the annual Desert Festival in winter provide opportunities for locals?

Locals provide food, accommodation, act as guides, rear + look after camels

What are the challenges of development in the Thar Desert?

Extreme Temperatures

Water Supply

Inaccessibility

How are extreme temperatures a challenge in the Thar Desert?

Temps over 50C in summer

Working outside hard for farmers

High evaporation → water shortages

How have animals and plants adapted to the extreme temperatures in the Thar Desert?

Some nocturnal - hibernating in cooler ground during the day

Livestock need shade

Why are there water shortages in the Thar Desert?

Populations has grown, increasing demand for scarce water

Low rainfall, high temps, strong winds → high evaporation

What are the sources of water in the Thar Desert?

Ponds - Natural = tobas, Man-made = Johads

Rivers + Streams -e.g river Lumi - feeds marshy area called ram

• Intermittent - flow after rainfall. Most settlements along river

Aquifers - wells - salty and poor quality

What is the Indira Gandhi Canal?

Main form of irrigation in desert

Revolutionised farming

constructed in 1958 - 650km

Jodhpur + Jaisalmer - 3500km² irrigated

How is the Thar Desert Challenged by Inaccessibility?

Limited road network - Extreme temps melt tarmac, sand blown by strong wind onto road

Many places only accessible by Camel (traditional)

Public transport = overladen buses