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Soil erosion includes splash erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion and gully erosion.

There are three seasons in Rajasthan:

1. Summer season. 

2. Rainy season. 

3. Winter season.

The temperature at which a liquid (water, water vapour) solidifies, specially, the temperature at which the liquid and solid states of the substance are in equilibrium at atmospheric pressure.

The state of Rajasthan has a vast ground area, hence there is climatic variation here. 

The characteristics of its climate are:

1. The arid and sub – humid monsoon type climate is found in Rajasthan. 

2. There is significant, variation in the distribution of rainfall in the state. Very high rainfall is seen in some areas, while it is very less in other areas. 

3. Due of excess of sand found in Rajasthan, the range of temperature is high. 

4. Most of the rainfall occurs in rainy season and it decreases from east to west and from south to north.

The composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness and winds throughout the year averaged over a series of years. Generally, it is found in the form of arid, semi – arid, su b- humid, humid and excessively humid climate.

Elements of Climate: The elements of climate are temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness and wind flow.

The factors affecting the climate of Rajasthan include latidudinal position, distance from the sea, height from the sea level, the position and direction of Aravalli mountain range, composition of soil and vegetation coverage.

There are fifty – six villages between Banswara and Chittorgarth. This group of villages is called the Plain of Chhappan.

The Northern part of the plains formed by River Banas and its tributaries is called the Plain of Malpura – Karauli.

The expanse of Rajasthan from East to West is 869 km.

The shifting agriculture practiced by the tribes belonging to Dungarpur and Banswara districts in south Rajasthan is called Walra cultivation.

The salt water lakes like Sambhar, Didwana, Pachpadra, Lunkaransar, etc. in Rajasthan are the evidence of remains of Tethys Ocean in Rajasthan.

The shallow area of saline water found in the sandy dry regions is called Rann.

Aravalli Mountain Range is considered as the water divider of Rajasthan.

The sandy mounds which have developed perpendicular to the direction of flow of wind are called longitudinal sand dunes.

Due to human effects and the development of Indira Gandhi canal and Gang canal, facilities of irrigation have been provided in the deserts of Rajasthan, and so the landscape of desert is changing.

The sand dunes which are formed in the mound parallel to the direction of flow of wind are Called transversal sand dunes.

There are three types of sandy dunes found in Rajasthan: 

1. Transversal 

2. Longitudinal 

3. Barkhan

(d) 7.2 lakh hectare

The winter rainfall is called Mavath, which is very beneficial for Rabi crops and it increases agricultural produce, so it is a boon for Indian agriculture.

The climate of Rajasthan is dry to sub – humid monsoon type.

Two major problems of the soils of Rajasthan are:

1. Problem of soil erosion. 

2. Problem of decline in the fertility of soil.

The winter rainfall in the North – Eastern India caused due to temperate cyclones is called Mavath.

Correct Answer is : (b) Six

(c) 4 lakh hectares

Three seasons that are found in Rajasthan are:

1. Summer Season 

2. Rainy Season 

3. Winter Season

1. Summer Season: The period of summer season in Rajasthan is from March to mid – June. This season starts along with northern movement of the sun. In the month of June, when the sun shines over the Tropic of Cancer, the temperature of most of Rajasthan rises up to 30°C to 36°C. The temperature in western Rajasthan reaches up to 48°C.

It is miserably hot in the day time and the body begins to bum due to excessive heat. Violent Loo blows and dusty storms are experienced. The hot, dry and dusty winds, called loo, disturb the normal life significantly. As compared to the western part, the eastern part of Rajasthan shows less variation.

2. Rainy Season: The period of this season is from mid June to September. After mid – June, air pressure and the winds direction starts, changing. Monsoon enters into Rajasthan in the last week of June or in the beginning of July. Both the branches of Monsoon Arabian Sea branch and Bay of Bengal branch cause rainfall in Rajasthan.

50 cm Ishoyet line divides Rajasthan into two parts. Rainfall amounting to 50 – 100 cm occurs in the eastern part of Aravalli, while less than 50 cm rainfall occurs in the western part. Most of the rainfall occurs in this season in Rajasthan. The amount of rainfall keeps on decreasing while moving from east to west and from south to north.

3. Winter Season: Winter season falls between the months of October and February. The weather department of India has divided this season into two parts Autumn and Dry winter.

(a) Winter or Autumn Season: (Reversal Period of Monsoon): In the month of October, Monsoon starts returning as the low atmospheric pressure in the land part ends and the temperature in Indian Ocean relatively starts rising up, and so an area of low air pressure develops there. Due to high temperature and high rate of moisture in the atmosphere, there is humidity. It is the time of returning monsoons. 

(b) Dry Winter Season: The actual arrival of winter season in Rajasthan is in the month of December,along with the movement of the sun towards the south. The direction of winds starts changing. North-Western cold winds begins to blow in entire Rajasthan. The western temperate cyclones cause rainfall in some parts of Rajasthan in the months of December – January.

This winter rainfall is locally known as Mavath. This winter rainfall is very useful for the crops of Rabi. At this time, the temperature is found to be less than 10° C, while in the region of Hadoti, it is about 20° C. When snowfall takes place in Himalayas, it is icy cool in Rajasthan and is known as cold – current. At many places in Rajasthan, the temperature falls below the freezing point.

The seasons are the main periods into which an year can be divided and each of which have their own typical weather conditions.

The 50 cm Isohyet line that is present along the Aravalli divides Rajasthan into two parts.

Soil degradation is the decline in soil productivity caused by its improper use or poor management, usually for agriculture, industrial or urban purposes. It is a serious environmental problem.

The problems of soil alkalinity and salinity are found in the districts of Alwar, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Nagaur, Pali, Jodhpur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Sirohi. It is a serious problem inJlajasthan.

The main characteristics of mixed red – black soil are: 

1. There is a shortage of calcium, nitrogen, and phosphorous substances in this soil, while potash is in enough amount. 

2. There is excess of Chika in this soil. 

3. It is a fertile soil in which crops like cotton, sugarcane, maize, etc. are cultivated.

On the basis of temperature, the world has been divided into three zones – Tropical zone, Temperate zone and Frigid zone.

The problems of soil erosion is very serious. To check it, related natural factors as well biological factors also must be controlled:

1. In flooding areas, by making anicuts and ridges in the field, the flow of water can be controlled. 

2. Afforestation should be promoted, while insensible cutting of forests must be stopped. 

3. Overgrazing also must be checked. 

4. In the dry regions, to reduce the intensity of wind flow, strip cultivation must be practiced. 

5. Applying a layer of mulch to the top soil allows the soil to slowly soak up water, as it protects against rain impact and restores pH level, helping to prevent erosion. 

6. To avoid soil erosion, terrace farming, growing cover crops, using green manure instead of fertilizers and pesticides, crops cycle, etc. must be practiced.

Rajasthan has been divided into four climatic zones: 

1. Dry climate zone. 

2. Semi – arid climate zone. 

3. Humid climate zone. 

4. Excessively humid climate zone.

On the basis of colour, composition and structure, the soils of Rajasthan have been divided into: Sandy soil, Red – yellow soil, Mixed red and black soil, Laterite soil, Black soil and Alluvial soil.

The process of flowing away or blowing away of the topmost fertile layer of soil in a region due to water or air is called soil erosion. Air-borne soil erosion is found in western part of Rajasthan and water – borne soil erosion is found in the Southeastern plateau part.

Soil conservation is the act of improving the soil strength by performing agriculture in a sensible way, without using such procedures and substances which cause decline in the quality of soil. This process of conservation helps to retain the balance in soil fertility.

On the basis of rainfall, the world has been divided into arid climatic zone, semi – arid climatic zone, sub – humid climatic zone, humid climatic zone and excessively humid climatic zone.

The main characteristics of laterite soil are: 

1. There is a shortage of nitrogen, phosphorous and humus in it. 

2. Due to presence of ferrous substances, its colour is red. 

3. The crops of maize, rice and sugarcane are grown in this soil. 

4. This type of soil is formed by the process of oxidation.

Meaning of soil conservation: Soil conservation is the prevention of soil loss from erosion, or reduced fertility caused by over-usage, acidification, salinization or other chemical soil contamination. Slash and burn and other unsustainable methods of subsistence farming are practiced in some lesser developed areas which reduce soil fertility.

Methods of Soil Conservation: 

The major methods for soil conservation used worldwide are:

1. Practice of Contour Ploughing: Contour ploughing involves planting crops following the contour of the landscape rather than planting crops in straight vertical rows. This orients crop furrows to follow the contour lines, thus reducing water run-off during rain storms. 

2. Practice of Terrace Farming: Terrace farming is almost similar to contour farming. It uses the land topography to establish a series of terraces to reduce water run-off during rain storms. It involves the practice of creating closely – leveled areas in a hillside area, like a series of steps with each step placed at a higher level than the previous one. 

3. Practicing Organic Farming: Organic farming is exclusively reliant on green manure, compost, biological pest control, and crop rotation to produce crops, livestock and poultry. 

4. Embankment: To reduce the slopes of field, the boundary wall should be made a little bit high so that the run-off of water at the time of rain storms may be checked. 

5. Cover Crops or Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the systematic planting of different crops in a particular order over several years to maintain the nutrients in the soil, reduce soil erosion and prevent plant diseases and pests, 

6. Afforestation: Afforestation provides an extensive tree root network that offers a long-term solution for soil erosion and so it is the best method for soil conservation. It also helps in increasing the water absorption capacity of soil. 

7. Controlled Grazing: Controlled grazing over the pastures is helpful in soil conversation because due to this the grass gets enough time to develop again. 

8. Construction of Ponds and Dams: Construction of small ponds at suitable places to store excess water is a good practice to raise the ground water level, while the dams are capable to store the overflowing water of rivers and so they can help in reducing soil erosion. 

9. Other Methods: For soil conservation, other methods such as dry farming, field strip cropping, mulching, basin listing, sub – soiling, gully control etc. can also be practiced.

(a) Western part

The grasses named Sevan and Dhaman are found in the tropical forest area. The grass Dhaman is feeded to milching cattle, while Sevan is useful for all types of animals.

Correct Answer is : (c) Khejari

The factors given below are responsible for less rainfall in Rajasthan:

1. The Aravalli Mountain Range in Rajasthan lies parallel to the Arabian Sea branch of south western monsoon and it does not offer any obstruction to the rain bearing winds. 

2. The hot climate of Rajasthan increases the moisture holding capacity of the rain bearing winds and does not allow them to shed moisture in Rajasthan. 

3. The low height of Aravalli Range and very little vegetation there is also responsible for less rainfall.

Correct Answer is : (d) Sirohi

Correct Answer is : (a) Mavath

(c) Autumn season

(a) In summer Season

Correct Answer is: (c) Alwar

Udaipur and its neighbouring area was called as Shiva or Bhedpat and Mewar before India got independence.

(d) Jaipur – Tonk