7th Class Social Science Human Resources Notes - Life In The Hot And Cold Deserts

 

Life In The Hot And Cold Deserts

 

A desert no matter hot or cold, has very small amount of precipitation throughout the year usually less than 25 cm a year and almost no vegetation. Deserts cover about one-fifth of the earth's surface. Most deserts, such as the Sahara of North Africa and the deserts of the south-western US, Mexico and Australia; that occur near the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn are hot. Cold deserts, occur near the Arctic and in Antarctica or in the high mountainous areas. Let us learn about the Sahara, a hot desert and Ladakh which is a cold desert.

 

HOT DESERT REGION

THE SAHARA

Location

 

Map No. 11.1 the Sahara Deserts in Africa

 

The Sahara (Africa) is the largest hot desert of the world. In the physical map of Africa, we will find that the Sahara Desert covers a very large part of this continent in the north, an area of about 8.5 million sq. km. It extends from the shores of Atlantic Ocean in the west to Red Sea in the east. To its north, are the Atlas Mountains? The desert covers parts of eleven countries of Africa that include Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and West Sahara.

 

Only one-fourth of the Sahara is sandy; the rest is made of gravel plains/ plateaus and bare rocky surfaces. The Sahara at some places, is more than 2,000 metre high. Towards the south, it merges into the Savanna tropica grasslands.

 

Climate

The Sahara is one of the world's driest deserts.

Almost all areas of the Sahara receive less

 

The Sahara landscape with sand dunes and carvan

 

Geography Reveals

Once, this area was lush green with flowing rivers. The cave paintings in the mountainous region of Gilf Kebir in the Sahara Desert which are about 10,000 years old contain images of people swimming. The engravings and paintings on the Tassili Plateau in Algeria describe the region as the Savannah Grasslands where large animals (land and water) like crocodiles were found.

 

 

Pictures of Gilf Kebir wall painting showing people swimming and Giraffe like animals

 

Than 250 millimetres of rainfall; temperature is exceedingly high due to low humidity and low cloud cover. The maximum temperature of 58°C has been recorded in Al Aziziyah that lies in the Sahara Desert in Libya. The Sahara Desert has scorching days; however, the nights are cooler due to rapid radiation of heat. The temperature may fall as low as -17°C. June, July and August are the hottest months. The winter months are cooler due to the bursts of dust laden winds that

 

 

Geography Reveals

There are places in desert where underground water reaches the surface level and farming can be carried on. Such water sources, around which crops can be grown in deserts are called oasis. Many oases lie in the Sahara Desert. The Tafilalet Oasis in Morocco is a very large oasis. It covers an area of 13,000 square kilometres. Date palms grow in large numbers around an oasis.

 

 

Blow frequently from the interior. The sand- laden strong winds are called Khamsins. They are a regular feature in Egypt and make life difficult wherever they occur.

 

 

Flora and Fauna

Only drought resistant plants can survive in the hot desert areas of the Sahara. Such plants are known as xerophytes. Xerophytic plants store water in their roots, stems or fleshy leaves. Many xerophytes have small leaves that have waxy surfaces. This helps them minimise water loss due to transpiration. Vegetation in the Sahara Desert includes cactus, date palm and acacia.

 

The date palm has many uses. The fruit is eaten, and palm leaves are used both as fuel and fodder for the cattle. Fronds (the whole leaves of palm) are used to cover roofs of houses and its wood is used to make saddles. Many fruits such as figs, olives and apricots, and crops like maize, wheat, beans and onion are grown around an oasis.

 

The prominent animal species found in the Sahara Desert are camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes, scorpions and a variety of snakes and lizards. The camel is called the ship of the desert due to its adaptability to the harsh environment.

Animals go underground to save themselves from the heat of the day. 

 

Q. Enumerate a few adaptations of the camel.

 

Economy, Culture and Tradition

Until the discovery of petroleum, the economy of the Sahara Desert was very limited. People led a nomadic life migrating from one place to another in search of food and water. Pastoralism was the main occupation of these migratory people; however, cases of growing date palm and millet in some areas were also noticed. Long distance trade was carried out on camel caravans. Migratory pastoralism is still practiced in the Sahara Desert by the existing nomads called Bedouins and Tuaregs. The economy of the Tuaregs rests upon animal husbandry. In the past, animals were gifted to them by the caravan people as a tribute for protecting their caravans from being looted on the way. They used to earn some money from the export of salt also. Nowadays, the Tauregs keep seeps, goats and a few cattle but their most valued animal is the camel.

 

The discovery of oil (petroleum) in Algeria, Libya and Egypt has transformed the lives of the people as well as the landscape of this vast desert. Minerals such as uranium, iron, phosphorus and manganese are also mined in these regions. Now, super highways are being constructed all across the Sahara Desert and camels are being replaced by trucks and other modern transport. The Sahara Desert has become an attractive tourist place. Many

Activity

·                     Women in the Tuareg society are held in high esteem. Find out more about their lives and make a presentation in your class.

·                     Also find out the garments worn by the Tuareg men and women. Remember, the copper-coloured Tuareg people wear indigo-coloured garments. Collect pictures from the Internet.

 

Tuaregs have changed their lifestyle and adopted the profession of tourist guides. They are also finding jobs in oil and gas exploration and operations. The living condition of the Tuaregs has improved tremendously.

 

COLD DESERT

 

LADAKH

Location

Ladakh literally means 'Land of Hill Passes'. Ladakh is geographically the western part of the Tibetan Plateau. The Great Himalayan Range borders Ladakh in the south while the Karakoram Range is to its north. Ladakh lies on 32°30'N latitude and 75°50T longitude in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It falls in the rain shadow region of the Great Himalayas. So it receives sparse rain or no rain at all. This makes Ladakh a cold desert. The main source of water is the winter snowfall. The Indus River flows through the region cutting spectacular deep valleys and gorges. Different areas of Ladakh have different altitudes which vary from 3,000 metres (in Kargil) to 8,000 metres (in the Karakoram Range). Ladakh has several glaciers like the Siachen, Biafo, Baltoro, Hispur and Nufra Glaciers.

 

Map No. 11.2 the Ladakh Region

 

Climate

Being a mountainous region/ the different altitudes cause a wide variation in the climatic conditions of Ladakh. Summer generally starts in June and continues till September. Temperatures, in summers, are moderate (-3°C to 30°C) with little precipitation. Winter starts in December and continues till March. Temperatures drop to - 40°C. Rainfall is as low as 10 centimetres a year; the supply of water is only through the melting snow. About two- third of the precipitation is in the form of snow.

 

Flora and Fauna

A great number of oriental mammals and birds are found in the Western Ladakh, particularly in Dras, Suru, Zaskar and the Lower Indus Valley. Central Ladakh is a transition zone and hence both the oriental and central Asian animals and birds are found in this region. Ladakh has a great biodiversity. In all, about 310 bird species and more than 30 mammal species are reported in Ladakh. However, many of these species are on the verge of extinction. They are now being protected by the government in national parks like the Hemis High Altitude National Park. The snow leopard, lynx, Asiatic ibex, marmot, and Argali (mountain sheep) are the special animals of this park. These animals and some others are prohibited from being hunted under the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Act. The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary are other cold desert wildlife sanctuaries in Ladakh.

 

 

Geography Reveals

 

 

The Tibetan antelope or chiru is a source of, shahtoosh (very fine quality wool) from which the   famous   Kashmiri shawls are made. The extraction of shahtoosh is banned now because chiru is an endangered species.

 

Leh Berry

Some characteristic species of birds found in Ladakh include snowcocks, swifts, hill or snow pigeons, black-necked cranes, falcons, dippers, warblers and larks.

 

On account of its unique location, Ladakh is home to a number of plants that are of high botanical and economic significance. Aster, lion's paw and seri are some such plants. The sea buckthorn is yet another wild plant. Juice obtained from its fruits or berries is in high demand in the world market. In Ladakh, this berry is known as the Leh Berry. The berry has great medicinal value.

 

Economy, Culture and Tradition

The culture, tradition, food habits, trade and commerce, and agriculture of Ladakh are all shaped by its geography and thus depend on its climate to a large extent. Low precipitation does not favour growth of vegetation. Also, the growing season in this area is limited to a few months, i.e., from May to September; yet a wide variety of crops are grown here.

 

 

Barley is the chief crop grown in Ladakh. It is the staple food of the people of Ladakh. Wheat and mustard are other important crops. At higher altitudes, peas are grown.

 

A typical Ladakhi village has houses for people and animals, agricultural fields, streams and channels, a reservoir or pond, a few water mills, at least one school, a chorten or stupa, a crematory and a monastery. There is one headman for a couple of villages called goba.

 

Agriculture in Ladakh presents an outstanding example of organic farming. Animal waste is used as manure. Cattle dung, shrubs and twigs are used as fuel. In summer, the cattle are collectively taken to higher pastures. They are looked after by a particular group of villagers called rarzi or barzi. In winters, the cattle are brought back to the village and fed on dry feed.

 

Horticulture is a very important occupation for the people living in Ladakh. Apricot is grown here in plenty as it is the most important fruit used for producing jams and squashes. Dried apricots are also eaten. Oil obtained from apricot seeds is used for cooking and lighting purposes. Apples, pears and grapes are other important fruits grown here. Walnuts are also grown in plenty in Ladakh. Crops are grown from May to September. Greenhouses have helped in the growth of vegetables in the region. Here heat from Sun is trapped in greenhouses to counter the severe cold temperature.

 

Apricots

 

In this region. Yaks, sheep and goats are reared. Yak provides milk and its hair is used to make tents. It is also used as a beast of burden. The hair of sheep and goats are used to make woollen clothes. Goats provide pashmina wool which is known for its superior quality.

 

The awesome natural landscape of Ladakh, and its Buddhist culture attract tourists from all over the world. Hence tourism is an important trade here. Most of the people in Ladakh follow Buddhism. Monasteries are the nerve centres of Ladakh's Buddhist society. Artists who make only the picture of Buddha and stories of his life are called "Thanga". These monasteries called Gompas keep the rich Ladakhi heritage intact through their schools, libraries, museums, etc.