RAS (RPSC) 8 min read

Natural Resources (Forests, Soils, Minerals)

Forest Resources (Van Sampada)

Rajasthan has a total forest area of approximately 32,701 sq km, which is about 9.55% of the state's total area (National target is 33%).

  • Maximum Forest Area: Udaipur district.
  • Minimum Forest Area: Churu district.
  • Classification: Reserved, Protected, and Unclassified forests.

Types of Forests

TypeRegionVegetation
Tropical Thorn ForestsWestern Arid/Semi-arid (Desert)Khejri (State Tree), Rohida, Ber, Babool, Ker.
Tropical Dry DeciduousAravalli, South & East RajasthanDhokda, Salar, Tendu, Bamboo, Amla.
Sub-Tropical Hill ForestsMt. Abu (Sirohi)Evergreen/Semi-evergreen vegetation.

Wildlife & Conservation

Rajasthan has a rich biodiversity protected through National Parks and Sanctuaries.

  • Ranthambore National Park (Sawai Madhopur): Famous for Tigers. Also has leopards, sloth bears.
  • Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur): Known as "Bird's Paradise". Famous for the migratory Siberian Crane.
  • Desert National Park (Jaisalmer/Barmer): Protected habitat for the Great Indian Bustard (Godawan - State Bird) and Chinkara (State Animal). Contains the Akal Wood Fossil Park.
  • Sariska (Alwar): Tiger Project reserve.
  • Mukanadara Hills (Kota): Designated as a National Park.
  • Tal Chhapar (Churu): Famous for Blackbucks (Krishna Mrig).

Soil Resources (Mrida)

Soil TypeRegionSuitable Crops
Sandy Soil (Retili)Western Rajasthan (Desert)Bajra, Moth, Guar.
Alluvial Soil (Jalodh)Eastern Plains (River basins)Wheat, Mustard (Most fertile).
Medium Black SoilHadoti Plateau (Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar)Cotton, Spices.
Red-Loamy (Lal-Lomi)South (Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur)Maize.
Red & YellowSawai Madhopur, Bhilwara, AjmerGroundnut, Pulses.

Conservation: Methods include Crop Rotation, Strip Cropping, Drip Irrigation, and Sprinklers.


Water Resources & Conservation

  • Surface Water: Rivers like Chambal (perennial), Banas, Luni, Mahi. Lakes like Jaisamand, Pichola, Pushkar.
  • Traditional Conservation Methods:
    • Nadi/Talab: Rainwater ponds.
    • Bawdi: Stepwells.
    • Khadin: Traditional water harvesting in Jaisalmer for agriculture.
    • Tanka: Underground tanks in desert houses.
    • Johad: Small check-dams (Shekhawati).

Mineral Resources

Rajasthan is called the "Museum of Minerals" due to its diversity. It has a monopoly in Jasper, Garnet, and Wollastonite.

Metallic Minerals

  • Lead-Zinc (Seea-Jasta): Found together (Twin Minerals). Mines: Zawar (Udaipur), Rajpura-Dariba (Rajsamand), Rampura-Agucha (Bhilwara).
  • Copper (Tamba): Khetri-Singhana (Jhunjhunu), Kho-Dariba (Alwar).
  • Tungsten: Degana (Nagaur) - only active mine in India.
  • Silver: Extracted as a by-product from Lead-Zinc mines.

Non-Metallic Minerals

  • Rock Phosphate: Jhamarkotra (Udaipur). Used in fertilizers.
  • Gypsum: Bikaner (Jamsar), Nagaur, Barmer. Used in cement and soil treatment.
  • Marble: Makrana (Nagaur) is world-famous. Mandi in Kishangarh.
  • Emerald (Panna): Green Fire belt in Rajsamand/Udaipur (Kalaguman).
  • Garnet (Tamda): Tonk (Rajmahal), Ajmer (Sarwar).

In this Chapter

Natural Resources (Forests, Soils, Minerals)
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