Deserts
- A desert is a dry region with scanty rainfall (usually < 25 cm annually), extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.
- India’s main desert is the Thar Desert, but cold deserts also exist in the Himalayan region.
📝 PYQ (BPSC 65th): Which is the largest desert in India? → Thar Desert
Hot Desert
Great Indian Desert(Thar Desert)
- Located in the northwestern part of India, primarily in Rajasthan, and extending to Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
- Area: ~2 lakh sq. km (mostly in Rajasthan)
- Bordered by:
- Aravalli Hills (east)
- Rann of Kutch (south)
- Indus River (west, in Pakistan)
Features
- Composed of sand dunes, rocky outcrops, saline lakes
- Rainfall: Less than 25 cm/year
- Rivers: Luni (only major seasonal river)
- Vegetation: Thorny shrubs, babul, khejri
- Soils: Sandy and infertile
📝 PYQ (BPSC 67th): Which river flows through the Thar Desert? → Luni River
Human and Economic Aspects
- Important cities: Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur
- Traditional livelihood: Camel rearing, salt mining, handicrafts
- Indira Gandhi Canal: Brings water from Sutlej-Beas to desert areas → supports irrigation and agriculture
- Tourism: Desert safaris, forts, cultural festivals
Cold Deserts of India
Ladakh - Leh Region (J & K)
- Located in Trans-Himalayan region
- Cold, arid conditions with very low precipitation (mainly snow)
- Sparse vegetation and population
- Economically important for tourism, Buddhist monasteries, and strategic military presence
Spiti Valley (Himachal Pradesh)
- Another cold desert at high altitude
- Dry due to rain shadow of Himalayas
- Agriculture includes barley, potato, peas
Semi-Arid Regions of India
- Not true deserts but have desert-like conditions
- Found in:
- Gujarat's Rann of Kutch
- Rain-shadow areas of Deccan Plateau (e.g., Solapur, Anantapur)
- Leeward side of Western Ghats
Desertification in India
- Due to deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agriculture
- Affects:
- Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana
- Some parts of Bihar (southwestern Palamu-like regions near Jharkhand border)
📝 Expected MCQ: What is the process of fertile land turning into desert called? → Desertification
Bihar Context
- Bihar does not have a desert, but:
- Some dry, drought-prone areas in southern districts (e.g., Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada)
- These face water scarcity during summer and can show semi-arid characteristics
Expected MCQs
- Which is India’s only hot desert? → Thar Desert
- Which Indian state has cold desert? → Ladakh
- River flowing in Thar Desert? → Luni
- Canal that brought water to Rajasthan? → Indira Gandhi Canal
Quick Revision Points
- Thar Desert → Hot desert, in Rajasthan
- Cold Deserts → Ladakh, Spiti
- Desertification affects NW India
- Luni → Seasonal river in Thar
- Indira Gandhi Canal → Irrigation lifeline in desert
- Bihar → No desert, but has drought-prone south districts
Sources Used
- NCERT Class 9 & 11 – Geography Chapters
- Lucent GK – Indian Geography
- Drishti Bihar & India Special Geography Book
- Ghatna Chakra PYQs (BPSC & DPCS)
- Bihar Economic Survey (drought-prone data)