Rajasthan Geography and Environment
Rajasthan Geography and Environment tests relief, drainage, climate, soils, forests, protected areas, and environmental stress. The state’s contrast between the Thar and the Aravalli is central to most questions.
Physical frame
- Western Rajasthan is dominated by the Thar Desert; the Aravalli runs diagonally; eastern Rajasthan has plains and alluvial soils.
- Guru Shikhar is the highest peak in the Aravalli and in Rajasthan.
- The Chambal is a perennial river; the Banas is the longest river flowing entirely within Rajasthan; the Luni is saline and ends in the Rann of Kutch.
- Climate is arid to semi-arid; the monsoon arrives mainly from July to September.
Environment
Protected areas include Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur), Ranthambore, Sariska, and Desert National Park. Keoladeo is a Ramsar site and a bird habitat; the Desert National Park protects the Godawan and desert ecology. Major issues are desertification, groundwater depletion, mining pressure, and urban waste.
Worked example
Question: “Which river is the longest flowing entirely within Rajasthan?” Reasoning: the Chambal is longer overall but originates in Madhya Pradesh; the Luni flows through Rajasthan but is not the longest. The Banas rises and ends within Rajasthan and is the standard answer. Answer: Banas.
Traps
- “Longest river of Rajasthan” is ambiguous: Chambal is often cited for total length through the state, while Banas is longest originating and ending within it. Read the wording.
- Confusing Keoladeo with Ranthambore.
- Placing Guru Shikhar outside the Aravalli.
- Treating the Luni as perennial.