Thar Desert

• Thar Desert

  Located on the border between India and Pakistan in Southern Asia
• Opportunities in the Thar Desert

  • Valuable minerals for industries and construction (gypsum and feldspar)
  • Energy resources such as coal and oil
  • Great opportunities for renewable energy such as solar power at Bhaleri and wind turbines
  • Attracted tourists, especially during festivals
  • Farming – subsistence grazing and commercial farming
  • Irrigation – Indira Gandhi Canal
• Challenges in the Thar Desert

  • Extreme heat makes it difficult to work outside for very long
  • High evaporation rates from irrigation canals and farmland
  • Water supplies are limited, creating problems for the increasing number of people moving into area
  • Access through the desert is tricky as roads are difficult to build and maintain
• Valuable minerals for industries and construction

  • Gypsum
  • Feldspar
• Energy resources in the Thar Desert

  • Coal
  • Oil
• Renewable energy opportunities in the Thar Desert

  • Solar power at Bhaleri
  • Wind turbines
• The Thar Desert has attracted tourists, especially during festivals
• Economic activities in the Thar Desert

  • Subsistence grazing
  • Commercial farming
• Irrigation is provided by the Indira Gandhi Canal
• The extreme heat makes it difficult to work outside for very long
• There are high evaporation rates from irrigation canals and farmland
• Water supplies are limited, creating problems for the increasing number of people moving into the area
• Access through the desert is tricky as roads are difficult to build and maintain