thar desert

Question 1

where is the thar desert located

Answer 1

North west India and eastern Pakistan and covers about 200 000 km^2

Question 2

what is its population

Answer 2

around 25 million people
densely populated for a desert

Question 3

what are the climate characteristics

Answer 3

Hot and Arid climate with unreliable rainfall
summer temps up to 50C
winters can drop to 5C
rainfall is less than 250mm per year
frequent droughts

Question 4

what opportunities does farming create

Answer 4

mostly subsistence
produces crops : millet wheat barley that can sell
irrigation from Indira Gandhi Canal has improved farming

Question 5

what opportunities does mineral extraction create

Answer 5

Gypsum - used in plaster
limestone, Feldspar
can sell and export minerals to improve economy
create jobs for local people

Question 6

what opportunities does tourism create

Answer 6

camel safaris
desert festivals
creates jobs for local people –> boost local economy

Question 6

what opportunities does energy production create

Answer 6

large space - solar panel farms, wind farms, oil fields
renewable energy

Question 7

challenges in the desert - water supply

Answer 7

very limited rainfall
groundwater is often salty
over- abstraction of groundwater for irrigation has led to falling water tables meaning water is becoming more expensive and harder to access

Question 8

challenges in the desert- inaccessibility

Answer 8

few roads in remote areas - hard to access
make trades and access to healthcare hard

Question 9

challenges in the desert - desertification

Answer 9

overgrazing - animals and livestock
overcultivation - plants
fuel wood
= soil erosion

Question 10

strategies to reduce challenges - Indira Gandhi Canal

Answer 10

650 km long
brings water from the River Sutlej
irrigation- increases crop yield
BUT has caused water logging and salinisation in some areas

Question 11

strategies to reduce challenges -afforestation

Answer 11

planting trees to reduce soil erosion
reduce desertification
provide shade
decomposing leaves add nutrients

Question 12

strategies to reduce challenges - appropiate technology

Answer 12

drip irrigation
lined canals to reduce water loss
solar cookers instead of fuel wood