Whenever I go on vacation, my dad is out for the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, but I have always had a thing for the vast golden plains of Rajasthan. There is a very strong pull which the desert has for some and in that group I am included the Thar Desert which is also known as the Great Indian Desert is a place which should be at the very top of your travel wish list.
Mapping the Great Indian Desert
Span in a very large area which is over 77,000 square miles (which is also to say 200,000 square kilometers) the Thar Desert which is a great sunny natural boundary between India and Pakistan. Geographically, India has the greater part of it, which is about 85% of this desert wonder, and the other 15% is on the other side of the border.
If on a map you see the main expanse of that which we term the desert, it covers what today is the state of Rajasthan. Also its sand dunes extend into adjacent Indian areas which include the plains of Punjab and Haryana to the north, and the salt affected marshes of Gujarat to the south.
A Densely Populated Living Ecosystem
When we think of a large subtropical desert we picture it to be a void of silence and empty space. Well in reality looking at the famous Sahara Desert which averages out to one person per square kilometer we see that isn’t always the case. But the Thar does the unexpected. It rises to become the most populated desert on Earth, with a very lively population density of 83 people per square kilometre.
Life is in this through strong, rooted traditions. In the local communities, you will see that most families still do very well in their joint family structure. Several generations under one roof, and the income generated is for the use of the whole household. It is a beautiful collective way of living which mirrors the very durable landscape.
Wandering Through History and Geography
Geologists still have great debate over the exact age of these golden sands which most agree to be 4000 to 10000 years ago. In the thousands of years past flourishing ancient civilisations had in fact done so at what is today’s Indus River at Mohenjo-daro, which saw great growth.
What sets the Thar apart from other worlds’ deserts is the lack of natural oases. Instead it is the single, unpredictable river that is the life line. That river has its source in the Naga Hills of Rajasthan, and it winds through the desert, which is a beautiful sight to see. Also it is interesting to note that the river is very fresh for the first 100 kilometers of its journey, but as it broadens out it becomes very salty and finally dries up in the dry season.
Wildlife, Weather, and Modern Milestones
Despite low annual rain fall which does not go beyond 10 inches the Thar supports great diversity of life which in turn is a home to over 40 types of mammals. Also beyond it’s rich bio diversity the region plays a key role in India’s textile industry which looks to the area as the primary source of wool.
In the desert, we also see key points of modern history. In its remote vastness which is almost unexplored India conducted what was to be its first nuclear weapon test on May 18, 1974.
From the high 498 foot dunes in the south to the grand blue washed lanes of historic Jodhpur which are nearby, the Thar Desert is more than just a sea of sand. It is a living breathing record of history, culture and survival which every person should experience at least once in a lifetime.
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