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Recent Developments
Thar Desert Air Quality and PM2.5 (March 2026): The IQAir 2025 World Air Quality Report (March 2026) ranked India 6th most polluted globally (PM2.5: 48.9 µg/m³ — 9.78× WHO guideline). The report specifically identified Rajasthan's Thar Desert dust as a major contributor to elevated PM2.5 across Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaipur — a direct climate-geography intersection. Seasonal dust storm frequency in western Rajasthan (30–40 per year) combined with windblown sand creates natural particulate pollution episodes.
Great Indian Bustard and Climate-Driven Habitat Stress (March 2026): Project GIB's captive population reached 70 (March 2026) as two chicks hatched at the Sam Breeding Centre, Jaisalmer. Climate change context: the GIB's shrinking natural habitat in the Thar Desert is linked to increasing aridity and desertification — precisely the climate change-induced acceleration of desiccation in western Rajasthan that Topic #84's climate change section covers.
Aravalli Eco-Sensitive Zone — Kumbhalgarh ESZ Notified (January 2026): MoEFCC notified an Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (243 sq km, 94 villages, across Udaipur-Pali-Rajsamand), explicitly recognising the Aravalli's role as a "critical ecological barrier preventing desertification of the Thar Desert from advancing into fertile plains." This is the most recent official government acknowledgment of the Aravalli-climate linkage.
Supreme Court Stay on Aravalli Hills Definition (December 2025): The Supreme Court stayed its November 2025 judgment that had defined Aravalli hills by a 100-metre elevation criterion. Under that definition, only 1,048 of 12,081 documented Aravalli hills were protected — raising fears that unprotected lower hillocks (essential as windbreaks against Thar Desert expansion) would be opened to mining. The climate implication: destruction of the Aravalli's lower gradients would remove windbreaks and accelerate desertification.
Phalodi Temperature Record Anniversary (May 2026 ahead): May 19, 2026 will mark the 10th anniversary of Phalodi's 51°C record. IMD projections (2026) suggest that under current climate trajectories, the frequency of >50°C events in Rajasthan will increase from once-per-decade to once-per-3-5 years by 2040.
Potential Exam Questions from Current Affairs
Possible question: "The Aravalli range has been called a 'climatic and ecological lifeline' of Rajasthan. Discuss with reference to its role in rainfall distribution, desertification prevention, and recent policy debates."
Answer pointers: Rainfall interception for Bay of Bengal branch (east) while allowing Thar to remain dry (Aw orientation) — Aravalli controls distribution, not total; Kumbhalgarh ESZ notification (January 2026); Supreme Court stay on Aravalli definition; climate change: deforestation of Aravallis accelerating Thar Desert expansion into Haryana/Delhi; Article 21 Right to Life dimension.Possible question: "Climate change is altering the traditional monsoon patterns of Rajasthan. Discuss the observed and projected impacts of climate change on the Thar Desert's ecology and agriculture."
Answer pointers: Rising mean temperature +0.5°C over 50 years; heat wave frequency increase (Phalodi 51°C, 2016); monsoon onset variability; GIB habitat contraction; increased drought frequency; desertification of semi-arid zone; CAZRI (Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur) findings; Rajasthan Action Plan on Climate Change (RAPCC).Possible question: "What are Western Disturbances? Explain their origin, mechanism, and agricultural significance for Rajasthan." (Most probable 5-mark question)
Answer pointers: Mediterranean origin → mid-latitude westerlies → North India; winter rain (Mawat/Mahawat); 1–5 cm per event; rabi crops (wheat, mustard, gram); districts: Ganganagar, Sikar, Jhunjhunu; winter cooling contribution; 4–8 events per season.