DESERT PROBLEM IN RAJASTHAN

Introduction

India’s largest state by land area, Rajasthan, is widely associated with the Thar Desert. The desert in rajasthan india, which spans more than 200,000 square kilometres, makes up almost 60% of the state. There are several obstacles facing Rajasthan’s population, environment, and economy because of this large desert area. Rajasthan’s desert problem is complex, encompassing problems with land degradation, water scarcity, climate change, and socioeconomic challenges. To tackle these obstacles, a thorough comprehension of the issues at hand and the application of long-term fixes are necessary.

Top desert area in rajasthan

• thar in rajasthan: A substantial portion of western Rajasthan is covered by the 17th largest desert in the world, the desert thar rajasthan, commonly referred to as the Great Indian Desert. Its broad sandy plains, dunes, and a rough terrain peppered with old forts and palaces define its expanse over Pakistan and India. The Thar is home to a variety of animals, such as the Indian Gazelle and the Great Indian Bustard, despite its severe environment.
• Desert in Jaisalmer: Among the nicest cities in Rajasthan’s Thar desert is Jaisalmer. Large stretches of desert are located here, along with two well-known locations for desert dunes: Sam Sand Dunes and Khuri Sand Dunes. Blessed with 30- to 60-meter-tall sand dunes, Sam and Khuri draw tourists from all across India, particularly Gujarat.
• Desert in Jodhpur: Located 260 kilometres east of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur is one of the three most well-known desert regions in the Thar Desert. Even though the majority of the Jodhpur district is covered in lush greenery, Jodhpur Jaisalmer is home to a marvel that is now regarded as the ultimate desert.
• Desert in Bikaner: “Cultural paradise and traveller’s haven,” Bikaner is situated in Rajasthan in the middle of the Thar Desert. The city’s historic castles and forts will enthral you, and the camels strolling around its stunning sand dunes will enchant you. Appropriately referred to as one of Rajasthan’s three major desert kingdoms, the glittering city exudes an air of old-world beauty, lavish havelis, and a delightful bygone era of Rajput royalty.
• Desert in Khimsar: Khimsar, a small village in the state of Rajasthan, is well-known for the Nagaur Festival. It’s a great place to spend a leisurely weekend trip during the winter. Khimsar, a town in Rajasthan that is perched on the edge of the Thar Desert, is well-known for both its spectacular fort Khimsar Fort and its golden sand dunes. Nighttime activities for the guests include folk dancing, music, and camel safaris on the sand dunes.

desert in rajasthan: Reasons for getting Affected?

• Rajasthan’s desert ecology has been impacted by environmental changes, affecting the native flora and wildlife.
• These changes include shifting rainfall patterns and vegetation. India’s rajasthan thar desert climate made headlines in July and August due to days-long, extraordinarily high rainfall that flooded cities and stranded communities.
• Over the previous thirty years, the state’s pattern of rainfall has changed. The number of wet days in the year has been trending upward, and certain areas have seen an increase in the number of days with heavy rainfall during the monsoon, according to the India Meteorological Department.
• According to IMD’s data, there has been a “significant” increase in the number of days with heavy rainfall throughout the year between 1989 and 2018, a 30-year span, especially for the western areas of the state.

desert problem in rajasthan

Sand Dunes that Shift Due to Wind Erosion:

• In Rajasthan, wind erosion is the main factor contributing to land deterioration and desertification. One of the main roles that wind erosion is playing in is discovered to be fully active in the center of the desert, resulting in sandblasting and sand drifting which affects the western side of the state, active dunes, and interdunal plains.

Erosion of Water

• The Aravalli landscape and the Bundelkhand upland are among the central highlands where the highest levels of water erosion are observed.
• Because of sheet and rill erosion, this results in the loss of top soils.
• Additionally, it distorts the topography by creating ravines and gullies. For instance, the Chambal River and its tributaries’ ravine lands.

Logging Using Water:

• The water table in the area is rising at an average pace of roughly 0.8 m per year since the installation of the canal irrigation system. Because of this substantial
• An area is becoming more and more flooded with water each year; this is a major issue, especially in deep black soils.

Soil Sodicity:

• The principal issues are the high residual sodium carbonate concentration of irrigation water and the sodality of the soil.

Salinity & Alkalinity:

• The Aravalli and Bundelkhand alluvial plains have the highest levels of salinity and alkalinity due to poor groundwater quality and inadequate management techniques regarding secondary salinization.
• The high permanent water table is the cause of salinity.

desert problem in rajasthan: How to Prevent it?

• Planting more trees will help prevent soil erosion from wind and rain because tree roots keep the soil together.
• Enhancing the quality of the soil can be accomplished by urging people to raise crops rather than as many grazing animals.
• During the rainy season, water can be stored in earth dams and used to irrigate crops in the dry season. This is an illustration of how to manage water supply in a desert setting with the right technologies.
• Water can be retained on the soil by placing circles of stones on the ground, known as magic stones or bunds, which prevent water from rushing fast over the surface.
• With drip irrigation, a hose that is placed on top of the soil has tiny holes in it that allow water to flow gently onto the ground. This maximizes efficacy, reduces water loss, and can be supplied using a solar pump.

desert problem in rajasthan: Government Initiatives

• The National Afforestation Programme was put into place in 2000 with the goal of reforesting damaged forest areas. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change is putting it into practice.
• Program of National Action to Fight Desertification was created in 2001 with the intention of addressing the growing problem of desertification and taking necessary action.
• The National Mission on Green India was established in 2014 with a ten-year timeline and the goal of preserving, improving, and reforesting India’s declining forest cover.

Conclusion

Rajasthan’s desert problem is a complicated one that calls for comprehensive and long-term solutions. The Thar Desert presents formidable obstacles, but they are not insurmountable. It is possible to lessen the negative consequences of desertification and guarantee a sustainable future for Rajasthan by combining traditional knowledge, contemporary technology, and community involvement.