Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
identify the driving factors and assess the impact of climatic aspects of this
disastrous phenomenon.
2. Study Area
Rajasthan, with a total geographical area of 342,239 square kilometers and
total population over 56 millions (2001), is India's largest state. The state
is characterized by a non-nucleated, dispersed pattern of settlement, with
diverse physiography ranging from desert and semiarid regions of western
Rajasthan to the greener belt east of the Aravallis, and the hilly tribal
tracts in the southeast. In Rajasthan, winter temperature ranges from 8
◦
C
to 28
◦
C and summer temperature ranges from 25
◦
Cto46
◦
C. Average rain-
fall in Rajasthan also varies from about 101.60 to 660.40 mm annually. Con-
sidering the physical as well as climatic characteristics of southeastern part
and its frequent experience with drought in the last few years, Baran district
has been selected as study region. Baran district was carved out of Kota
district in 1991 (Fig. 1). It extends from 24
◦
25
Nto25
◦
25
Nand76
◦
12
Eto
77
◦
26
E. Known as the “Green Belt of Rajasthan,” it has total forest area
of 0.21 million hectares. Its total population is 1,021,653 (2001). Baran has
dry climate except in monsoon season. Main soil is black
kachari
soil, which
is highly fertile, and stony soil is found in southern and eastern parts.
2
3. Methodology
The present study is basically based on analysis of data derived from various
sources. From the data, it has been tried to establish relationship between
rainfall and drought conditions. Since drought condition hit people of the
region, in terms of less availability of food grains and drinking water, the
study has attempted to analyze the relationship between rainfall and agri-
cultural production.
4. Droughts and Livelihood Security in Rajasthan
More than 60% of the Rajasthan's total area is desert, with sparsely dis-
tributed population, entailing a very high unit cost of providing basic
services. It has a predominantly agrarian society, with nearly 70% of its
population depending on agriculture and allied activities. However, nearly
80% of all land in the western desert districts is unfit for farming. Agricul-
ture continues to be dependent on rainfall. Failure of the monsoon causes
