Thar Desert forms the natural boundary separating the two nations of Pakistan and India. Located in the north eastern part of the continent of India the arid region covers more than 200,000 sq km which makes up for the world’s 9th largest subtropical desert. The connotation Great is attached with the Indian Desert due to its sheer immensity and area of coverage.

Location Map

The desert covers a massive area and spreads after the River known as Sutlej and  Aravalli range encompasses the region on the eastern side of the desert. The salt marshes of the great Rann ok Kutch which covers a part of the Thar on the south and the River Indus on the west. The huge thorny streppe at the northern side of the area is not well marked out.

The majority of the desert lies mostly in the State known as Rajasthan which covers the north western side of India and overlaps into northern Gujarat state and covers some of the areas especially in the southern part of the state of Gujarat.

The desert also stretches into the area of Pakistan and fills the south eastern part of the province of Punjab where it connects with Cholistan, a desert which is located close to Bahawalpur, and the eastern Sindh project.

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Geology

Thar Desert cascades to the direction of the plain of Indus and the sun dunes are responsible for causing erratic and unevenness on its surfaces. The southern part reflects the dunes that are characterized by an elevated height escalating at times to 152m whereas the northern part the height of the dunes are comparatively less at an average of 16 m from the level of the ground.

The major landmark in the south eastern part of the Thar Desert is the Aravalli.

Desert soil- since it is a desert region so this zone exemplifies soils that range from being sandy in its quality. The soils also portray a mixture of loam and sand. The depth and the consistency of the soil which makes up the desert differ based on its geographical landscapes and structures of the region. The soil in some areas enclose an immense degree of salts that can be easily dissolved in the lower sites of the region which can be hazardous for the local population as it paves the way for transforming the water contained in the numerous bores toxic .This result in abandoning of the wells by the villagers.

Origin

The foundation of the desert known as Thar is still a subject of contention among historians and archeologists. Some geologists and archeologists posit that the desert have been formed way back and it endured its existence for  4000 to 10000 years while additional scholars and investors contend that the region has its origin much before.

Alternative notion put forward that the area has recently gone through this transformation perhaps about BC 2000-1500. At this particular period, Ghaggar-Hakra desiccated to be an important brook leaving the region devoid of any natural water source. It now disappears in this area nevertheless at certain point of time it was a major basis of water in respect to the Indus valley settlement in Mohenjo Daro.

Through remote and other high end sensing devise it can be now tracked that the vicissitudes caused by the climate pattern of the Late Quaternary and nontectonic played a pertinent role in the transformation and molding of the drainage passages of this region and this is signified by the presence of innumerable paleochannels.
Majority of the studies undertaken do not conform with the another possible thesis that is the convergence of the palaeochannels which belongs to the significant river known as Sarasvati in the base of the existent Ghaggar and the Sutlej and the Yamuna at one point of time streamed and emptied itself in the current bed of the river. It was claimed that once the Sutlej formed the major tributary of Ghaggar. The tectonic activities gaining momentum forcing the Sutlej to drift its course towards the westward side whereas and the Yamuna eastward leaving the stream of Ghaggar-Hakra to vaporize and cease eventually.

Studies undertaken by  Robert Raikes on  Kalibangan, a desert region suggests that the place had been deserted because the evaporation of the river. Professor B. B. Lal  presently retired but one held the eminent post of Director General in the prestigious institution of Archeological Survey Of India posited that the dating of radio carbon shows that people have to leave the established Harappan civilization at Kalibagan during the period of BCE 2000-1900. He also claimed that the hydrologic evidence emphasizes this desertion took place because of a pertinent reason and which can be endowed upon the fact that the tributaries of Ghaggar-Hakra and its water diminished completely. This thesis has been later validated by the works of an hydrologist of Italian origin named Raikes.

Biodiversity

The sands of the vast area are coincided with hillocks in addition to the gravel and sandyplains. The region is marked by expanded habitation and bionetwork which makes the human culture, animal life and vegetation rich and flourishing as compared with the other desert regions found all around the globe. The region boasts of the existence of 25 species of snakes and 23 various types of lizard which are endemic.

Certain of the rare and endangered species are found in this region of the desert such as the the Blackbuck also known as Antilope cervicapra, Indian Wild Ass also known as the Equus hemionus khur and Indian Gazelle also known as Gazella bennett abound in Rann of Kutch. Their habits have been molded according to the survival strategies of this region which gives them an edge over other animals to endure obstacles to a greater extent. Thus in comparison with the other animals of the same species inhabiting in different regions of India, these animals are adept in their survival strategies. There are additional factors also that aid in their longevity. These are because of the scarcity of water the land has witnessed a slow transformation from grassland to cropland resulting in the displacement of the animals and their reduction especially in other parts of India.

The area is indicated with the presence of 141 classes of seasonal and local birds which are commonly found in deserts. Harriers, eagles, falcons, kestrel, buzzards along with vultures can also be seen in these deserts along with Aquila rapax more commonly known as ochre eagles, Aquila clanga more commonly known as spotted eagles, (Falco jugger), kestrels, Eagles with small toes (Circaetus gallicus), and Falcons. The region is packed with a large quantity of exotic reptiles.

The region is the home for breeding for some of the Indian Peafow especially in the Thar expanse. The Indian peacock which is revered both in India as a national bird and is bestowed with the honor of the regional bird of Punjab situated in Pakistan. It can also be perceived perched atop on the trees of  Pipal  or Khejri,  whether in Deblina or villages of the area.

Natural Vegetation

The likely flora of the particular arid area falls under the category of northern Desert Thorn Forest happening in slight clusters that is interspersed conspicuously. The size and the thickness of the patches intensify from western to eastern side especially with the advent of the monsoon. Natural vegetation in the Thar Desert comprises tree, herb species and shrubs.

National Parks in Thar Desert

The region is strewn with national parks. Out of eleven of them the largest ones known as Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Rann of Kutch.

Other parks comprise the Desert National Park located in Jaisalmer with an area cover of 3162 km² which is an exceptional representation of the ecology of Thar Desert, and its miscellaneous wildlife. The threatened Great Indian Bustard (Chirotis nigricaps), fox, chinkara, Bengal fox, Blackbuck, caracal and wolf are detected here. Seashells along with the gigantic calcified trunks of the tree depicts the geological past of  this region. The Sanctuary known as Tal Chhapar is a very minor one in the district of Churu , which is 210 kilometers away from the place called Jaipur, in the region of Shekhawati. This particular sanctuary provides haven to abundant species of caracal  and Blackbuck while fox that will be perceived along with the characteristic avifauna like sand grouse and partridge. The sanctuary known as Jalore Wildlife located at a distance of 130 km away from the place Jodhpur, is an additional trivial sanctuary which is privately possessed where an ample populace of uncommon and scarce species of animals are existing comprising the Leopard, Desert Fox, Asian-Steppe Wildcat ([Ornata]), Zird, and flocks of Indian Gazelle

Desert Economy

The few highways in the Thar Desert is due to the erratic condition of the weather.

Agriculture

The Thar Desert is one of the heavily inhabited desert areas of the world. The two major occupations which account for nearly the half of the population of this region are agriculture and husbandry. There is still an impediment which is attached to the activity of agriculture. Due to scanty rainfall and the whimsical nature of the monsoon, agriculture cannot be considered to be a reliable source of livelihood. Majority of the times after rainy season there are accounts of the failure of more or less 33 percent of the crops. Animal husbandry, grasses and trees, intermittently cultivated with trees which bear fruits or vegetables is considered to be feasible for dry, parched, deficiency prone region. With the proliferation of the population resulting in overgrazing of livestock, minding and the activities of other industries, wind and water erosion, all these effects can snowball and lead to the pernicious result of land degradation.

Livestock

The last 15 to 20 years the population of the desert has adapted itself to the severe conditions of the desert. Due to the problems inherited in agriculture due to scarcity of water and ubiquitous parched region has resulted in the people owning large livestock of animals. Animal husbandry has become quite well known in the region. The downside of this characteristic is that this has also led to the increase in the rate of overgrazing and land degradation.

The famers who are engaged in animal husbandry form a large number. Cow, sheep, goats, buffalo, camel, and ox consist of main cattle populace. The district which is well known for its cattle population is known as Barner. The region itself accounts for some of the finest type of bullocks such as  Nagauri and Kankrej (Sanchori).

Agro Forestry

Forestry is considered to be important and gives respite to the people specially those who are economically not well of. Some of the population is unable to purchase fuels like cylinder, gas and kerosene. So most of the times they depend upon firewood from the nearby forest areas of the region. The area covered by forests is usually meager. Rajasthan is granted with 31150 km2 of areas covered in forests that consist of more or less 9 percent of the topographical expanse. The area confined in forests is chiefly situated in the districts located in the south of Rajasthan including Chittorgarh  and Udaipur. The minimum forest area is in Churu district only 80 km2. Still the amount of firewood procured is not enough to cater sufficiently to the population of the region. Hence there is a diversion in the use of cattle dung for household purpose instead of in the agriculture. This has led to the decrease of the agricultural production. The model of Agro forestry is well suited for the people in the region. The institutes have able to harness the benefits of agro forestry.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism has flourished to a great extent in the region. Safaris and excursions through the desert region has become an important tourist attraction. There are travel agencies and organizations arranging trip for the people from all around the world. This method of tourism provides income to many operators and camel owners in Jaisalmer as well as a means of earning for many camel trekkers in the desert villages nearby.

Salt Water Lakes

Pachpadra, Sambhar, Falaudi, Tal Chhapar and Lunkaransar are some of the eminent salt water lakes in the Thar Desert region. These lakes are the sources which are used for the production sodium chloride from salt water.

Water And Housing in The Desert

The insufficiency of water has led many people to live like nomads. The two types of ponds, natural (tobas) or manmade (jodas) are found sporadically in the region where the population clusters around and settle. Most human settlements are found near the two seasonal streams of the Karon-Jhar hills. The access to potable groundwater is fraught with difficulties and the construction of the wells is often rendered difficult and cumbersome in this region.

Desert for Recreation

The desert provides recreational values in terms of the festivals and the related celebration and activities which are performed. Donning of colorful apparels, dancing and singing by the local population and performing a wide range of popular ballads famous for their haunting nature, romance or tragedy is a common view of the region during celebrations. There are several competitions held for the tourists and holiday makers to take part and enjoy. The dressing up and decoration of camels and the continued dancing and singing throughout the night leave the people enchanted and mesmerized.