The Thar Desert

• Background:

  > Asia, India, Pakistan (small desert)

  > Densely populated desert- 80 people per km^2
• Opportunities:

  > Mineral extraction

  • Limestone and gypsum (making plaster)
  • Feldspar (ceramics)
• Opportunity:

  > Energy:

  • Jaisalmer Wind Park opened in 2001
  • Wind is 10% of India’s electricity
• Opportunity:

  > Farming (small opportunity):

  • Subsistence farmers
  • Indira Ghandi Canal = farming possible
• Opportunity:

  Tourism:

  • Growing industry- 10,000 tourists/year
  • Annual Desert Festival- tourist jobs
• Challenge:

  Extreme Temperatures:

  • Rainfall low. Temp 53 degrees Celsius in July
  • Work outside hard, crops struggle
• Challenge:

  Water supply (large challenge):

  • Shortages frequent
  • Indira Ghandi Canal now allows irrigation
• Challenge:

  Inaccessible:

  • Traditional transport like camels
  • Tarmac melts, sand covers roads