Life in the Desert Chapter Notes | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Deserts

Types of Deserts:

Hot Deserts:

• Located in tropical regions along western coastlines of continents.
• Examples include Sahara, Kalahari, Arabian Desert, Thar Desert, and Great Victoria Desert.
• Experience high temperatures exceeding 50°C with little seasonal temperature variation.

Cold Deserts:

• Deserts characterized by cold temperatures.

Cold Deserts and Adaptations

• Cold deserts are primarily located in the interiors of continents in temperate regions.
• They exhibit extreme temperature variations and receive minimal precipitation.
• Cold deserts have short summers and harsh, cold winters.
• Summers are intensely hot, while winters are extremely cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing for at least two months annually.
• Notable examples of cold deserts include the Siberian desert, the Gobi desert, Antarctica, and the Ladakh region of the Himalayas, which is a high-altitude cold desert.
• People inhabiting desert regions have evolved various adaptations to survive the harsh conditions.
• This chapter delves into the lives of individuals residing in two distinct desert environments—the Sahara, a hot desert, and Ladakh, a cold desert.

The Sahara Desert

The Sahara desert, situated in the northern part of Africa, stands as the largest hot desert globally, exceeding more than two and a half times the size of India.

Boundaries and Countries

• The Sahara is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlas Mountains to the north, the Red Sea to the east, and the Sahel region to the south.
• It spans across several countries including Algeria, Chad, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.

Terrain Features

• The Sahara boasts widely diverse terrain, with various features as outlined below:
• Rocky plateaus
• Sand dunes
• Mountain ranges
• Oases
• Desert plains

Sahara Landforms and Climate

Landforms in the Sahara

• Hamadas are elevated rock-covered plateaus where sand has been removed.
• Regs are plains composed of sand and gravel, also known as desert pavements, constituting 70% of the Sahara.
• Ergs are vast desert plains covered with sand and large sand dunes, making up only 20% of the Sahara.

Climate of the Sahara

• The Sahara has an arid and extreme climate with very hot summers and varying winter temperatures from cool along the coast to very cold inland.
• Snowfall occurs occasionally in the northern plateaus.
• Temperature fluctuations are significant, with an average difference of 15-20°C between day and night.
• Precipitation is minimal, averaging less than 25 cm annually and decreasing inland from the coast.
• Dry, hot, sandy winds blow over the region in late winter and spring, known by different names such as khamsin, ghibli, harmattan, and chili in various parts of the region.

Natural Vegetation and Wildlife of the Sahara

• Natural Vegetation:

  The primary vegetation in the Sahara comprises cacti and shrubs. These plants have adapted to the dry conditions of the desert by storing moisture in their roots, leaves, thorns, and stems.

• Animals:

  Various animals are found in the Sahara, including camels, hyenas, weasels, foxes, jackals, mongoose, scorpions, snakes, lizards, and frogs. Additionally, birds such as ostriches, ravens, owls, and larks inhabit the Sahara.

Life in the Sahara :

•  Population: The Sahara has a very low population. Previously, numerous nomadic communities resided there, but today only a few scattered groups remain.
• Main Groups: Among these groups, the Bedouin and Tuareg are prominent. They raise animals such as goats, camels, sheep, donkeys, and cattle for various purposes like transportation, milk, hide, and wool.
• Attire and Protection: The inhabitants wear heavy loose robes to shield themselves from the intense sun, dust storms, and hot winds. They also cover their heads with cloth or turbans.
• Settled Communities: Aside from nomadic groups, settled communities exist around desert oases and in the Nile Valley in Egypt. Water availability supports agriculture and the growth of trees like date palms. Crops such as rice, wheat, barley, beans, and cotton are cultivated.
• Mineral Riches: The Sahara is abundant in minerals like petroleum, iron, manganese, and uranium. Significant petroleum and coal reserves in Algeria, Libya, and Egypt have spurred industrial development in the region, leading to a shift from nomadic to settled lifestyles.
• Modernization: Transportation has evolved with the modernization of highways along ancient caravan routes. Trucks have largely replaced camels for transporting goods in many areas.

Ladakh

• Ladakh is a cold desert situated at high altitudes in the northern part of India.
• The altitude in Ladakh ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 meters.
• The name "Ladakh" originates from the Tibetan term 'la-dvag', which translates to 'land of the passes' due to the presence of numerous passes in the region, with Zoji La being a significant example.
• Noteworthy salt-water lakes such as Pangong Tso, Tso Kar, and Nubra are also located in Ladakh.

Ladakh Climate, Vegetation, and Wildlife

• Ladakh experiences long, freezing winters lasting from November to March.
• Annual precipitation, including snow and rain, exceeds 10 cm.
• Summers are brief and extremely dry.
• In winter, temperatures can plummet to -32°C.
• Blizzards, snowstorms, and avalanches are frequent occurrences.
• Ladakh is situated on the leeward side of the Himalayas, leading to a lack of monsoon winds that bring rainfall to most of India.
• Despite numerous water bodies, the region is classified as a desert due to the absence of monsoon influence.

Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

• Due to aridity, infertile soil, and short growing seasons from long winters, Ladakh primarily consists of barren, windswept terrains.
• Vegetation such as trees, grasses, and shrubs are found in patches along river valleys and near springs.
• Valleys are home to willows and poplar trees.
• Animal species in the region include the snow leopard, red fox, Asiatic ibex, and chiru.
• Bird species include the Tibetan snow cock, brown-headed gull, black-necked crane, ravens, and robins.

Life in Ladakh

• Population: Ladakh has a sparse population, with the majority being Buddhists.
• Economic Activities: The people engage in agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, cattle rearing, handicrafts, and tourism. They rear sheep, yaks, and goats for various purposes.
• Agriculture: Crops like wheat, barley, potato, peas, beans, and turnips are cultivated during the summer months. Fruits such as apple, apricot, and walnuts are grown. Irrigation is done using wells or by channeling water from the mountains.
• Tourism: Ladakh is a popular tourist destination known for trekking routes, Buddhist monasteries ('gompas'), glaciers, and scenic landscapes.
• Adaptation to Environment: Ladakhis have adapted to the harsh environment by using dry toilets, creating organic manure from excreta, growing water-efficient crops like barley, and wearing clothes suitable for the cold climate.
• Food and Clothing: Ladakhis consume butter for warmth, drink tea made from yak butter, and wear multiple layers of wool, fur, or animal skin clothing along with hats and caps to stay warm.

Right Values

• Kargil War (1999): Conflict between India and Pakistan regarding Pakistan's attempt to occupy Indian territories unlawfully. India emerged victorious after months of intense fighting.
• Challenging Terrain: The battleground featured steep cliffs of bare rock and temperatures dropping below -50°C.
• Key Lessons:
  • Perseverance: The soldiers' resilience in the face of adversity teaches us the importance of persistence.
  • Dedication: Despite the extreme conditions, the soldiers fulfilled their duties without giving up.