Climate Change and Geoenvironmental Problems in Indian Desert

Abstract

This chapter deals with the micro-climatic changes and some of man-induced environmental hazards of the Indian arid regions. The study of rainfall trends for the last 100 years in Rajasthan shows that certain stations have recently experienced apparent downward trend in rainfall, whereas others have shown a high variability from year to year, but no constant trend has yet been noticed. Some studies in Rajasthan show that there has been an increasing trend of rainfall in western part and a decreasing trend in the eastern part of the Aravallis in the last 50 years. Recurring drought and acceleration of desertification processes; drinking water scarcity; occurrence of brackish groundwater; presence of fluoride in the groundwater in most parts of the desert; salinity hazards; water logging and rising water table in the vicinity of canal-irrigated areas, especially Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana (IGNP) and high flood propensity, in desert districts; destruction of natural vegetation by deforestation for fuel and fodder; mining activities and overgrazing; creation of scarred and derelict landscape due to open cast mining of minerals and raw material resources and depletion of biodiversity and stress on wildlife habitat are some of the geo-environmental hazards which need immediate attention.