At a glance
- Rajasthan Bangar: L.R. Bhalla and RPSC's 2024 key use this name for the whole semi-arid belt (RPSC's Hindi question: 'Rajasthan Bagad'), with the Luni basin, the Shekhawati inland-drainage plain, the Nagaur upland and the Ghaggar plain; RBSE calls only the Shekhawati region 'Bagar'.
- Nagaur upland: between the Luni basin and the Shekhawati plain; salt lakes and inland drainage.
- Dune cover of western Rajasthan: about 60% in the surveys of 1964 and 1974, 48% in the 2013 mapping.
Facts
| Limits | Aravalli hills on the east, the Nara river in Pakistan on the west |
|---|---|
| Rainfall line | The 25 cm line divides the dry sandy plain from the semi-arid plain |
| Hot arid land | About 19.6 million ha in Rajasthan, of India's 31.7 million ha |
The four sub-regions (RBSE)
| Sub-region | Where | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Dry sandy tract (marusthali) | Jaisalmer, Barmer (part now Balotra), Bikaner, and the western parts of Jodhpur (part now Phalodi) and Churu | Dunes everywhere; rock outcrops at places such as Pokaran, Jaisalmer and Ramgarh |
| Luni–Jawai basin | Pali, Jalore, Jodhpur and southern Nagaur | Semi-arid; plain built by the Luni, the Jawai and other tributaries; also called the Luni basin |
| Shekhawati region | Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Churu and northern Nagaur (then; Didwana and Kuchaman now in Didwana-Kuchaman) | Sandy with low dunes; many saline pits (ran) such as Didwana, Degana, Sujangarh, Talchhapar, Parihara and Kuchaman |
| Ghaggar plain | Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh | Flood plain of the Ghaggar, called a 'dead river' because its channel is faint; now farmland |
Sand dunes
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Parabolic | Covered by plants; used for farming |
| Transverse | Hold the most sand, yet suit cropping; seen near Bikaner |
| Linear (longitudinal) | Lie along the main wind direction; carry natural vegetation |
| Network | Few sites; chains with several peaks |
| Barchan and barchanoid | Mobile; where rainfall is about 200 mm; north-west and south-west of Jaisalmer |
Star dunes are also found. By age, the high dunes belong to the 'old system', formed in an earlier dry climate and more stable than the 'new system' dunes forming now. Low sand streaks, sandy hummocks and barchans are mainly the result of over-grazing and faulty farming.
Test yourself: asked in exams
RAS Prelims 2024 · Q2
Consider the following statements : A. Luni Basin and Shekhawati region are the Sub-regions of Rajasthan Bangar. B. Ghaggar Plain covers mostly Hanumangarh and Ganganagar district. C. Nagaur uplands have salty lakes and inland drainage. D. Aravalli ranges are rich in all types of minerals. Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
- (1)A and B
- (2)A, B and C
- (3)B, C and D
- (4)A, B, C and D
Show answer
✓ (2) A, B and C
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