Reprint - Central Arid Zone Research Institute

Ecological impact of irrigation on biophysical potentials of landforms(ecosystems) of the Rajasthan desert. The Geographer. 34: 39-45The study has revealed that the introduction of the irrigation hasboth positive and negative effects on the environmental conditions ofthe arid lands. The positive effects which are of short duration couldbe visualised in the form of the improvement of microclimatic,aeolian activities, soil moisture regime and changes in the croppingpatterns and crop yield and socio-economic conditions of the people.The negative effects which are of long duration could be seen in theform of the depletion of the productivity of the landforms(ecosystems) due to waterlogging, impeded drainage conditions andsalinity and alkalinity hazards. The saline/alkaline degraded anddesertified landforms could be reclaimed through leaching and byapplying required quantity of gypsum. The deterioration of theagricultural productivity of landforms in future could be checked byusing suitable methods of irrigation like drip and sprinkler and theproper soil and water conservation measures.130 Singh, S. and Ghose, B. (1969)The application of aerial photo-interpretation in thegeomorphological surveys of western Rajasthan. The DeccanGeographer. 7: 1-13Keeping in view the enormous advantages of the air photos likeaccuracy in delineating boundaries, economy and time saving ingeomorphological research, the role of air photo interpretation ingeomorphological survey of Sumerpur Community DevelopmentBlock and the genetic classification of each land unit to evaluate itseconomic potentiality has been discussed in the present paper.131 Singh, S. and Ghose, B. (1969)The role of aerial photography in earth sciences. The DeccanGeographer. 7: 129-142The serial photography plays a vital role in the field of all the earthsciences because they are the indispensable tool in compiling theinventory of all the natural resources. The vertical aerialphotographs are more suited for the surveys of natural resources asthey enable us to make the accurate maps of various disciplineswithout involving much time and cost. The maps thus prepared formthe basis for the rational and scientific planning of landuse andregional planning. The aerial photographs are comparatively moresuited for geomorphological studies as the object of the study isclearly visible from the air.132 Singh, S. and Kaith, D.S. (1971)