Human Settlements In Deserts

​BY - Swara Mohite

​DEFINATION

Cold desert of Ladakh

Ladakh is a cold desert lying in the Great Himalayas, on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. The Karakoram Range in the north and the Zanskar mountains in the south enclose it. Several rivers flow through Ladakh, Indus being the most important among them. The rivers form deep valleys and gorges. Several glaciers are found in Ladakh, for example the Gangri glacier.

​DEFINATION

• ​Vegetation in Ladakh

Due to high aridity, the vegetation is sparse in the cold desert of Ladakh. There are scanty patches of grasses and shrubs for animals to graze. Groves of willows and poplars are seen in the valleys. During the summers, fruit trees such as apples, apricots and walnuts bloom.

• Birds found in Ladakh

Several species of birds are sighted in Ladakh. Robins, redstarts, Tibetan snowcock, raven and hoopoe are common. Some of these are migratory birds.

• Animals of Ladakh

The animals of Ladakh are wild goats, wild sheep, yak and special kinds of dogs. The animals are reared to provide for the milk, meat and hides. Yaks milk is used to make cheese and butter. The hair of the sheep and goat is used to make woollens.

• Occupations of the people of Ladakh

In the summer season the people are busy cultivating barley, potatoes, peas, beans and turnip. The climate in winter months is so harsh that people keep themselves engaged in festivities and ceremonies. The women are very hard working. They work not only in the house and fields, but also manage small business and shops.

• Tourism in Ladakh

Tourism is a major activity with several tourists streaming in from within India and abroad. Visits to the gompas, treks to see the meadows and glaciers, witnessing ceremonies and festivities are important activities.

• Cities of Ladakh

Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is well connected both by road and air. The National Highway 1A connects Leh to Kashmir Valley through the Zoji la Pass.

• Sahara desert

The Sahara desert covers a large part of North Africa. It is the worlds largest desert. It has an area of around 8.54 million sq. km. The Sahara desert touches eleven countries. These are Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia and Western Sahara.

• Climate of Sahara desert

The climate of the Sahara desert is scorching hot and parch dry. It has a short rainy season. The sky is cloudless and clear. Here, the moisture evaporates faster than it accumulates. Days are unbelievably hot. The temperatures during the day may soar as high as 50C. The nights may be freezing cold with temperatures nearing zero degrees.

​DEFINATION

​DEFINATION

• ​Flora and fauna of Sahara desert

Vegetation in the Sahara desert includes cactus, date palms and acacia. In some places there are oasis green islands with date palms surrounding them. Camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes, scorpions, many varieties of snakes and lizards are the prominent animal species living there.Minerals in Sahara desert

The discovery of oil a product in great demand throughout the world, in Algeria, Libya and Egypt is constantly transforming the Sahara desert. Other minerals of importance that are found in the area include iron, phosphorus, manganese and uranium.

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• Cultural landscape of Sahara desert

The cultural landscape of the Sahara is undergoing change. Gleaming glass cased office buildings tower over mosques and superhighways crisscross the ancient camel paths. Trucks are replacing camels in the salt trade. Tuaregs are seen acting as guides to foreign tourists. More and more nomadic herdsmen are taking to city life finding jobs in oil and gas operations.

​DEFINATION

• ​Nomadic tribes of Sahara desert

The Sahara desert has been inhabited by various groups of people who pursue different activities. Among them are the Bedouins and Tuaregs. These groups are nomadic tribes rearing livestock such as goats, sheep, camels and horses. These animals provide them with milk, hides from which they make leather for belts, slippers, water bottles; hair is used for mats, carpets, clothes and blankets. They wear heavy robes as protection against dust storms and hot winds.

us worldwide is grown in Egypt.

​DEFINATION

• AGRICULTURE IN SAHARA DESERT

Desert agriculture is the farming of crops well-suited for arid conditions, such as sorghum.  Desert agroforestry is the growing of crops with the environmental support of trees in desert or arid areas. The oasis in the Sahara and the Nile Valley in Egypt supports settled population. Since water is available, the people grow date palms. Crops such as rice, wheat, barley and beans are also grown. Egyptian cotton, famous worldwide is grown in Egypt.

Multiple Choice

When it gets hot inside the body, we

• become uneasy

• get angry

• sweat

• none of the above

Multiple Choice

sand dunes move

• from one place to another

• slowly

• when strong winds blow

• both (a) and (b)

Multiple Choice

the desert is a dry place where there is:

• a great variation in day

• a great variation in the temperature night

• great rain

• a cloud cover

Multiple Choice

An oasis In the desert Is like a:

• comfort

• green island

• pearl

• both (a) and (b)

Multiple Choice

The desert plants and animals need

• more water

• less water

• clear water

• no water

Multiple Choice

Humidity acts like a:

• great cover of the air

• blanket on the earth

• protector of the sun

• coolant

• ​Desert can be a beautiful place’ yet water is the necessity of every individual. Discuss and throw light on conservation of water and its resources.

​: ASSIGNMENTS FOR UNDERSTANDING