RAS question
In Koeppen's climatic regionalisation of Rajasthan, Sikar is grouped with Jhunjhunu and Nagaur under which label?
Correct answer: (B) BShw semi-arid group.
In Koeppen's climatic regionalisation of Rajasthan, Sikar is grouped with Jhunjhunu and Nagaur in the BShw semi-arid steppe climatic region.
Explanation
Rajasthan Forest Department, A Manual for Dryland Afforestation and Management divides Rajasthan into four Koeppen climatic regions: AW, BShw, BWhw and Cwg. BShw is the semi-arid steppe type, with hot, scorching summers, cool dry winters, less rainfall and vegetation marked by thorny bushes and grasses. The BShw region covers Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Sirohi, Pali, Nagaur, Churu, Sikar and Jhunjhunu. Sikar therefore falls in the same semi-arid BShw group as Jhunjhunu and Nagaur, while the arid BWhw, monsoon-type Cwg and tropical savannah AW regions cover different district sets.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) BWhw is the hot desert type, covering West Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and western parts of Churu, not Sikar.
- (C) Cwg is the monsoon type with dry winters, covering places such as Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Alwar and Bharatpur rather than Sikar.
- (D) AW is the tropical savannah type, covering southern and south-eastern districts such as Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh and Jhalawar, not Sikar.
Concept
Rajasthan's climatic regionalisation under Koeppen's scheme maps district clusters to climatic labels. RAS repeatedly uses this geography because it connects physical geography, rainfall patterns and region-wise environmental planning.