Geomorphological
investigation of the Rajasthan desert
Compi led and Edited
by
Surendra Singh
Central Arid Zone Research Institute,
Jodhpur
Printed December, 1977
FOREWORD
Besides aridity, the major environmental problems which limit the agricultural productivity and overall development of the Rajasthan desert are the erosional, depositional and salinity hazards, shifting of the sand dunes and river courses, and dearth of water. Applied geomorphological researches on the Rajasthan desert have been underway at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute since 1960 and techniques have been standardised to identify and locate such problems and to provide suitable solutions.
Survey and mapping techniques which are essential pre-requisites for the rational assessment and management of the physical potentials and hazards of the different landforms and for the overall development of arid lands, have been satisfactorily worked out. Methodology for study of the dynamics of sand dunes and the river system has been developed. Techniques for locating and exploiting the subsurface water potentials and commercial salts and evaporites in different landforms, especially along the buried courses of the prior drainage channels, hay~ also been evolved. Attention has also been focussed on small agricultural drainage basins for harvesting their surface water potential at suitable sites.
Basic questions on the palaeoclimate and spread of the Thar desert have also been accorded due recognition in the research programme.
The findings of the basic and applied geomorphological researches, conducted in Rajasthan desert over the past sixteen years, have been synthesized in the present monograph. It is earnestly hoped that the material presented here will be useful to scientists, administrators, extension workers and others interested in the development of the arid zones.
H. S. MANN
DIRECTOR
FOREWORD
LIST· OF TH;E CONTRIBUTORS
1. Shri Bimal Ghose, Geomorphologist
2. Shd Surendra Singh, Junior Geomorpholog~st
3. Shri Suresh Pandey, Former Assistant Geomorphologist
4. Shri P. C. Vats, S-1 (Geomorphology)
5. Shri Amal.Kar, Sen.ior Research Assistant ( Geomorphology)
6. Shri D. S. Kaith, Research Assistant ( Geomorphology)
7. Shri Zahid Husain, Research Fellow ( Geomorphology )
has also assIsted in the compilation of this monograph
We are thankful to the Regional Botanist, Botanical Survey of India, Arid
Zone Circle, D-7, Shastri Nagar, Jodhpur for providing the front cover page
photograph of this monograp!1.
INTRODUCTION
With the establishment of the Geomorphology Section at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, studies on the evolution, classification and analysis of landforms in the Rajasthan Desert and mapping of their geomorphological characteristics, have been underway with a view to evaluate the physical potentials of the land for agricultural and hydrological development. These studies, carried out in conjunction with other disciplines like pedology, plant ecology, geohydrology and land use, have enabled the recognition of Major Land Resources Units in western Rajasthan which have similar resource potential and similar management needs and thus provide useful base line for administrators and planners for development of natural resources of a region.
In addition to the geomorphological surveys, the investigations on the orlgm and distribution of the important environmental problems, such as erosional, depositional and salinity hazards, dynamics of sand dunes and river systems, dearth of water resources and process of desertification, which limit the agricultural productivity and overall development of the desert regions, have been carried out in difierent parts of the Rajasthan desert. All the investigations were conducted through the interpretation of large scale aerial photographs and topographical sheets, detailed fieled checks for all the geomorphological features and analysis of their morphological and morphometric characteristics in the laboratory. The research findings of the above geomorphological investigations, conducted during the period from January 1960 to December 1976, have been discussed briefly in this monograph. The detailed examples of the geomorphological research findings have been cited, however, from the central Luni basin, since it is a large contiguous area, representing all the landforms and associated problems encountered in the investigated areas and hence it is also very convenient to depict and correlate these through maps and charts.
6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Geomorphological investigations carried out by employing photogeomorphological and ground survey techniques, on the evolution, distribution and physical potentials of landforms, environmental problems "like the erosional, depositional and salinity hazards, lateral shifting of sand dunes and river courses, dearth of water and desertification have elucidated many sided applicability of geomorphology in the reclamation and development of Rajasthan desert. The results of these investigations are summarized below.
Geomorphological evolutionary history of the region revealed that the landforms of pre-Quaternary eras in Rajasthan desert .have evolved through long periods of subaerial degradation arrd aggradation, interrupted by short periods of tectonic a«tivities. The major existing landfi)rms have resulted due to the climato-morphogenetic processes operating during· the Jate Quaternary period on various lithological formations under different climatic phases. In the Rajasthan desert, fourteen landform units have been identified and each geomorphological nomenclature is indicative of the agricultural and water potentials of the region. These landform units have different physical potentials and limitations and could be developed by suitable management techniques.
Studies on the different hazards have shown that ,water erosion, wind erosion/deposition and salinity are the major hazards which limit the agricultural productivity of the landforms. The wind erosional and depositional hazards are more ·widespread and conspicuous than other hazards. In the central Luni basin, out of 16582.0 sq. km area, 9228. t sq. km area has been affected by the different hazards and ,remahing 7299.9 sq. Km is free from such hazards.
Studies on the dynamics of the sand dunes in different parts of the Rajasthan desert revealed that the obstacle, parabolic and coalesced parabolic, longitudinal and transverse are the stabilised and fossilised sand dunes. They belong to the old dune system and do not need any plantaticn to ensure their stability but must be protected from biotic interference. The barchan and shrub-coppice dunes are the active sand dunes and come under the category of new dune system. These active dunes are the greatest menace to the agricultural lands, roads, railway lines and to other permanent structures. If these are somehow checked, the entire region will be taken care of. The size, shape and mineral composition of the sand grains have indicated that the sands of these dunes are of aeolian origin and they have not been transported from Rann of Kutch but have been locally derived by intense aeolian activities from the existing hills and dry river beds.
The studies on the dynamics of the river system have revealed that the COurses of the major alluvial rivers oscillate across the meandering belt and they cause severe devastations either to the right or to the left banks. The lands lying within the meander belts are unstable and should not be used for constructing permanent structures without taking into consideration 'the width,' length and amplitude of the meandering rivers. Hydrogeomophological studies conducted in different landforms have indicated that the courses of the prior buried drainage channels, the younger alluvial plains, piedmont plains, buried pediments and filled valleys are the potential aquifer. The depth of the ground \vater along these aquifer varies from ,8 to 50 m which could be exploited and rationally utilised for irrigation, human and livestock consumption. The analysis of the quantitative geomorphological characteristics of the small agricultural drainage basins, situated under different geomarphological settings, has shown that the drainage basins of the phyllite-schist and rhyolite pediments have better surface water potentials than the basins of the other landforms. The pairwise and multiple reaIationships established between different morphometric characteristics of the drainage basins could be utillised to predict the hydrogeomorphological characteristics of the new drainlfge basins falling in different landforms.
The researches conducted on the above aspects of the Rajasthan desert have proved that the desert is not advancing towards north and north east. On the other hand, it has been found that the desertic conditions, which once extend..:d upto Jaipur, Bhdracpur and Mathura, have receded westward.
REFERENCES
The references of the work of the Geomorphologists of this Institute, cited in the text of this monograph, have been included in the 'list of research , publication'. The reference of the works by other investigators, quoted in this monograph, are given below.
Bagnold, R.A. 1941. Physics of blown sand and desert dunes. Methuen & Co., London, 265 p.
Faber, F.J. 1960. Size and sh1pe of sand grains. Trans. Int. Geol. Congr., Copenhagen. Friedkin, I.F. 1945. A laboratory study of the meandering of alluvial rivers. U.S. Waterways Engr: Exper. Sta., 40 p.
Godbole, N.N. 1952. The salinity of Sambhar lake. Proc. Symp. Rajputcna Desert, 89-93. Reron, A.M. 1917.
Geology of north eastern Rajputana and adjacent districts. Mem. Geol. SUfi'. Ind., 45 (1).
Holland, T.R., and Christie, W A.K. 1909. The (lrigin of the salt deposits in Rajputana. Rec. Geol. SUn'. Ind., 38 (2) : 154- 1 86.
Krishnan, A., Bhatt, P.N. and Rakhecha, P. 1966. A soil moisture regime and microclimatological study over sand dunes in western Rajasthan. Ann. Arid Zone, 5 (1) ; 1-9,
Pettijohn, F.J., and Lundahl, A.C. 1943. Shape and roundness of lake beach sands. Jour, Sedim. Petro., 13: 69-78.
Singh, G., Joshi, R.D., Chopra, S.K., and Singh, A.B. 1974. Late Quaternary history of vegetation and climate of the Rajasthan desert, India. Phil. Trans. Royal Soc., London, 267 (B) : 46'7-501. .
Wadia, D.N. 1961. Geology of India., Macmillan, London: 398-99.
LIST OF RESEARCH PuBLICA nON"
8.1 Geomorphogeny and Geomorohology
Abichandani, C.T., Singh, S., Saxena, S.K. and Kolarkar, A.S. 1975. Integrated biophysical mapping as an aid to resource development in the Indian arid zone (Bikaner district-a case study). Ann. Arid Zone, 14 (4) . 285-291.
Abichandani, C. T., Singh, S. Saxena, S. K. Kolarkar, A. S. and Sen, A. K. 1975. Assessment and management of the biophysical resources in district Bikaner, w~stern Rajils'than. Ann. Arid Zone, 14 (4) : 292-301.
Ghose, B. 1965. The genesis of the desert plain<; in the central Luni basin of western Rajasthan. J. Ind. Soc. Soil Sci, 13 (2): 123-126.
Ghose, B. and Pandey, S. 1967. Geomorphology of the Allor block. Proc. Semincr on geomorphological stt:dies in. India. Saugar University (M. P.) : 71-77.
Ghose, B., Pandey, S.; Singh, S. and Gheesa LaI. 1966. Geomorphology of central Luni basin, western R':Ijasthan. Ann. Arid Zone, 5 (1): ]0-25.
Ghose, B. and Singh, S. 1965. Observations on geomorphology and landuse of Kitnod village (aerial photo-interpretatIOn and analysis of land). Geog. Re.-. Illdia, 27 (3): 144-156.
Ghose, B. and Singh, S. 1965. Geomorphological studies in Rajasthan I. An1lysis of landforms of Saila block from aerial photographs. Ann. Arid Zone, 4 (2) : 207-216.
Ghose, B. and Singh, S 1966. Q:1ick metl-tod of aerial photogrammetric mapping of geomorphic features, soils and vegetation community. Ind. J. Geog. 1 (1) : 49-56.
Ghose, B. and Singh, S. 1973. Remote sensing applied to integrated land resemch. Geog. Studies, (in press).
Gbose, B., Singh, S. and Kar, Amal. 1977. Geomorphology of Rajasthan desert. In 'Desertification and Its Control', ICAR, New Delhi; 69-76.
Nossin, 1. J., Ghose, R, Pandey, S. and Singh, S. 1969. Geomorphological reconnaissance mapping of Jodhpur area. Serial No. 176/BMS. RD/SCENR, Paris. Pandey, S. 1965. Geomorphology of Jalor and the adjoining region in western Rajasthan. Ann. Arid Zone, 4 (1) : 74-83.
Pandey, S. 1966. Geomorphology of granite' landforms in India's arid zone. Ind. J. Gcog., 1 (1). 1-10.
Pandey, S., Ghose, B., Roy, B, B. and Abichandani, C. T. 1967. Geomorphic influence on soil genesis in semi-arid and arid environments. J. Ind. Soc. Soil Sci., 15 (3): 163-172.
Pandey, S. and Singh, S. 1968. Geomorphology of Sumerpur development block, Pali district, western Rajasthan. Geog: Outlook, 5 : 61-69.
Roy, B. B., Ghose, B. and Pandey, S. 1967. Landscape soil relationship in Chohtan block in Barmer district in we~tern Rajasthan. J. Ind. Soc. Soil Sci. 15 (1): 53-59.
Singh, S. 1969-70. The application of aerial photo-interpretation in geographical research. University studies in Geography, 2: 46-60.
Singh, S. and Ghose, B. 1969. The application of aerial ph'oto-interpretation in the geomorphological surveys of western Rajasthan. The Deccan Geog., 7 (1): 1-13.
Singh, S. and Ghose, B. 1969. The role of aerial photography in earth sciences. The Deccan Geog., 7 (2): 129-142.
Singh, S. and Kaith, D. S. 1971. Geomorphological analy<;is of landform features of Pali development block from aerial photographs. Ind. Geog. J., 46 (3 & 4): 50-59.
Singh, S., Pandey, S. and Ghose, B. 1966, Geomorphology of Siwana development block in Barmcr district. Ann. Arid Zone, 5 (2): 117-126.
Singh, S., Pandey, S. and Ghose, B. 1971. Geomorphology of the middle Lllni basin of western Rajasthan, India. Ann. Arid Zone, 10 (1): 1- 14.
Singh, S., Saxena, S. K. and Kolarkar. A. S. 1976-77. Integrated natural reso~rces survey of the Luni development block, western Rajasthan (India). Ind. J. Geog., 10-11 : 1-10.
Vats, P. C. and Singh, S. 1976. Geomorphic influence on settlements - A quantitative approach. The Deccan Geog., 14 0) : 27-33.
8.2 Geomorphology and Emironmental Problems
Ghose, B. 1964. Geomorphological aspects of the formation of salt basins inwestern Rajasthan. Proc. Syntp. Probl. Indian Arid Zone. Jodhpur, 79-83.
Ghose, B., 1976. The challenge of our desert. Geog. Rev. Ind., 38 (1): 13-17.
Ghoge, B., Pandey, S. and Singh, S. 1968. Processes and extent of erosionand, its effects on land use in the central Luni basin, western Rajasthan.Ann. Arid Zone; 7 (1): 15-30.
Ghose, B., and Singh, S. 1965. Geomorphic changes in fiood plains of Luni basin. Agli. Res. J., 5 (2).
Ghose, B. and Singh, S. 1968. Geomorphological control on the distributionof evaporites in the arid zone of Rajasthan (India). Symp. "Arid Zone", Jodhpur, 54-57.
Gbo~e, B., Singh, S. and Kar, Amal 1975. Some geomorphic aspects of salinity hazards in Rajasthan desert, India: Proc. WlJrks!rop on Prob. Des. Ind. G. S. I., Jaipur, P 4 (Abstract).
Pandey, S;, Ghose, D. and Singh, S. 1972. Meandering behaviour and erosioncharacteristics of stream channels in s<!mi-arid enVIlOnmel1t of ",estern
Rajasthan. Proc. Indian Geographical Congress, New Dehli, p 21 (Abstract).
ey , S., Singh, S. and Ghose, B. 1964. Orientation, distribution and origin ('f sand dunes in the central Luni ba~in, Proc. Symp. Prahl. Indian Arid Zone, Jodhpur: 84-91.
Saxena, S. K. and Singh, S. 1976. Some observations on the sand dunes and vegetation of Bikaner district in western Rajasthan. Ann. Arid Zone, 15 (4): 313-322.
Vats, P. c., Singh, S., Ghose, B. and Kaith, D. S. 1976. Types, orientation and distribution of sand dunes in Bikaner district. Geog. Ob,,'erv., 12 : 69-75.
8.3 Geomorphology and Water Resources
Ghose, B. and Pandey, S. 1963. Quantitative ge0morphology of drainage basins. J. Ind. Soc. Soil Sci., 11 : 259-274.
Ghose, B., Pandey, S. and Singh, S. 1963. R~~)mtructed drainage system in central Luni basin. Agri. Res. J. 3 (2).
Ghose, B., Pandey, S. and Singh, S. 1966. Studies in photogrammetry: Geomorphic studies of Sojat from aerial photographs to delineate landforms. J. Ind. Soc. Soil Sci., 14: 9-12.
Ghose, B., Pandey, S. and Singh, S. 1969. Quantitative geomorphology of the drainage basins in semi-arid environment. Ann. Arid Zone, 8 (1) : 37-44.
Ghose, B., Pandey, S., Singh, S. and Gheesa Lal 1967. Quantitative geomorphology of drainage basins in central Luni basin, western Rajasthan. Zeitech. iur Geom., 11 (2): 146-160.
Ghose, B., Singh, S., Vats, P. C. and Kaith, D S. 1975. Aerial photogrammetry and photogeomorphology applied to quantitative analysis of drainage basins for engineering planning. Ind. Geog. J. 50 (2) : 27-31.
Pandey, S, Ghose, B. -a.nd Vats, P. C. 1968. Geomorphic influence on water resources. Ind. J. Geog., 3 (1) . 41-55.
Singh, S. 1976. New interrelationships between quantitative geomorphic characteristics of the drainage basins of western Rajasthan (India). Geog. Observ., 12: 54-57.
Singh, S. 1976. A note on the photogeomorphic technique for locating groundwater resources in Rajasthan desert. Ind. J. Geog. (in press).
Singh, S., and Ghose, B. 1973. Interrelationships between quantitative geomor. phic characteristics of the drainage basins in sub-humid to humid environment of Rajasthan. Anll. Arid Zone, 12 (1 & 2) : 82-99.
Singh, S., Gupta, B. S. and Kaith, D. S. 1976. MlIltiple relatiomhips between bifurcation ratio and some morphometric variabJes of drainage basins in Banas catchment. The Deccan Geog., 14 (2): 151-156.
Singh, S., Wasi UlI&h, Ghose, B. and Kaith, D. S. 1969-71.
Interpretation of aerial photographs of quantitative geomorphic characteristics of the drainage basins in sub-humid to humid environment. Ind. J. Geog., 4, 5 and 6 (1): 1-11.
Verstappen, H. Th., Ghose, B. and Pandey, S. 1969. Landforms and resources in central Rajasthan in central Rajasthan (India). Result of Ialor Pilot Survey. Publ. Int. Ill.m. Aerial Surrey and Earth Sci., B. 51 : 1-20
8.4 Geomorphology, Palaeoclimate olld Desei'tification
Ghose, B., Singh, S. and Kar, Amal. 1976. Geomorphic evidence of desertification in the Rajasthan desert (India). Pre-Congo 8ymp. 23rd Int. Geog. Congress on desertification in and arolfnd arid lands. Ashkhabad, U. S. S. R., 199-203.
Ghose, B., Singh, S. and Kar, Amal. 1977. Desertification around the TharA geomorphological interpretation. Ann. Arid Zone 16 (3) : 290-301.
Ghose, B., Singh, S., Vats, P. C. and Kaith, D. S. 1976. Some geomorphological evidences of palaeoclimate in Great Indian desert. Sci. OIld Cult., 42 (12) : 590-594.
Kar, Amal; Singh, S. and Ghose, B. 1977. Geomorphological characteristics and palaeoclimatic significance of rhyolite pediments in Jodhpur district, western Rajasthan (India). Man and Enl'ironment; 1 : 16-20,
Roy, B. B., and Pandey, S. 1970. Expansion and contraction of the Great , Indian D~sert. hoc. Ind. Nat. Sci. Academy, 36 B (6): 331-344.
Singh, S. 1977. Sand dunes and palaeoclimate in Jodhpur district, western Rajasthan (India). Man and Environment;, 1 : 7-15.
Singh, S., and Ghose, B. 1977. Geomorphology of Luni basin and its palaeoclimatic infer('nces. In Agrawal, D. P. and Pandey, B. M. (ed.) Ecology and Archaeology of lVestem India; Concept Pub!. Co., Delhi: 136 148.
Singh, S., Ghose, B. and Kar, Amal. 1977. Geomorphic changes as evidence of Palaeoclimate and desertification in Rajasthan desert, India. (Luni development block; A case study). ~Man and EnvironmeJlf, 2 (in press). (India). Result of Ialor Pilot Survey. Publ. Int. Ill.m. Aerial Surrey and Earth Sci., B. 51 : 1-20.
Full Text
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق