Aridity Assessment of Semi-Arid Agro-Climatic Zones: A Study of Eastern Rajasthan

By : Ravi Jhurawat , Padmini Pani , Avijit Mahala

Page No: 77-93

Abstract
The present study aims to determine the nature of aridity dynamics in semi-arid agro climatic zone of eastern Rajasthan for a definite period (1985-2015). Semi-arid and sub-humid regions are located to the fringes of deserts. The eastern part of Rajasthan reflects semi-arid climatic conditions. The present study considers the districts of Ajmer, Jaipur and Tonk of eastern Rajasthan for aridity estimation. The degree of aridity was examined using the UNEP (1992) recommended Aridity Index (AI). This index represents the ratio of total annual precipitation (P) and potential evapotranspiration (PET). The Mann-Kendall test analysis has been applied for understanding trend in the climatic phenomena of rainfall, temperature, evapotranspiration, and aridity. The Aridity Index calculation result shows that the average of first fifteen years (1985-1999) is greater than last 16 years (2000-2015), leading to a conclusion of increasing aridity. The Mann-Kendall trend analysis reflects an insignificant increase in aridity. The Mann-Kendall statistic results indicate that temperature and evapo-transpiration exhibited a significant increase or a probable increasing trend in all the observations. The substantial enhancement in the trend of temperature and evapotranspiration and an insignificant decreasing tendency of Aridity Index and rainfall indicate a negative change in aridity and climatic parameters.

Authors :
Ravi Jhurawat : Research Scholar
Padmini Pani : Associate Professor, Center for Study of Regional Development, SSS, JNU, India, 110067  
Avijit Mahala : Associate Professor, Center for Study of Regional Development, SSS, JNU, India, 110067 
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/ATNAGI.2020.40.01.6