Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is Wind Erosion

Additional Information

• 92% of the area in Rajasthan is currently affected by desertification, with about 76% from wind erosion, 13% by water erosion, and another 4% area is affected by waterlogging and salinity/alkalinity.
• Water erosion and salinity seriously affect agriculture, aggravating poverty, and threatening the food and water security in this area.
• Understanding the causes of land degradation in Rajasthan is crucial to help the Indian government draft policy to protect and improve the livelihoods of the communities living there.
• The main reason for desertification is the loss of soil cover.

The correct answer is Iron-Ore.

• Iron Ore mines in Rajasthan are:
  • Udaipur - Natha ki Pal, Thur Hunder
  • Sikar - Dabla
  • Dausa - Lalsot
  • Jaipur - Morija-banol, Neemla-Raisalo
  • Bhilwara - Pur banera belt

Additional Information

• Limestone mines in Rajasthan are:
  • Ajmer - Sheopura, lulwa & Kesarpura
  • Bundi - lakheri and Stur
  • Chittorgarh - Nimbhahera, Parsoli
  • Jodhpur - Bilara & Basa
• Gold mines in Rajasthan are:
  • Banswara – Bhukhia - Jagpura - Delwara belt

The correct answer is Dungarpur - Banswara.

Key Points

• In Rajasthan, the Mahi river forms the boundary with Dungarpur and Banswara districts.

Additional Information 

• Mahi is one of the major interstate west-flowing rivers.
  • The total length of Mahi is 583 km.
  • It originates in the Mahi Kanta hills, from the northern slopes of Vindhyas at an altitude of 500 m near village Bhopawar, Sardarpur Tehsil in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. 
  • It enters the Banswara district of Rajasthan and makes the border between Banswara and Dungarpur. 
  • Mahi river tributaries- Som, Anans, and Panam.
  • Mahi is the only river that crosses the tropic of cancer twice.

The correct answer (A), (B), and (D)

Key Points

Western Sandy Plains of Rajasthan

• On the basis of the existing relief features, Rajasthan has been divided into
• The following physiographic divisions:
  • Western Sandy Plains: The Western Sandy Plains is subdivided into two units:
    • Sandy Arid Plains 
    • Marusthali
• Semi-Arid Transitional Plains (Rajasthan Bagar)
  • Luni Basin (Godwar Tract)
  • Plain of Interior Drainage (Shekhawati Tract)
  • Ghaggar Plain​

Important Points

• More than 60% of the Thar desert lies in the state of Rajasthan and extends into Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana.
• The maximum area is covered in Rajasthan and the area of the total cover is 208,110 km.
  • covering the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalor, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ganganagar, Churu, Jhunjhunun, Sikar, Nagaur, and Pali.
• The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert.
• It is the world's 20th-largest desert and the world's 9th-largest hot subtropical desert.
  • About 85% of the Thar Desert is in India, and about 15% is in Pakistan.
• The northeastern part of the Thar Desert lies between the Aravalli Hills.
  • The Western Sandy Plains is one of the most prominent physical divisions of Rajasthan. It covers a large part of the state in the west and the northwest of the Aravalli axis.​

The correct answer is Alwar.

• Alluvial soil is found in the district of Alwar as alluvial soil is found mostly in the eastern part of Rajasthan.

Key Points

• Alluvial soil occupies Alwar, Bharatpur, Jaipur and Sawai Madhopur and the central part of Ganganagar district, all lying on the northeastern part of the state.
• The soil is deficient in lime, phosphoric acid and humus.
• It varies from clayey to sandy loam in texture.
• The topsoils contain 'Kankar' which lies either on sands or sandy clays.
• A wide variety of crop including wheat, rice, cotton tobacco is grown in this soil.