Cholistan Desert

PRELIMS BITS – MAPS

Context:

Pakistan has temporarily suspended its Green Pakistan Initiative, which includes the development of six strategic canals, most notably the Cholistan Canal, intended to irrigate the Cholistan Desert.

The Cholistan Desert, locally known as Rohi, is located in the southern region of Punjab, Pakistan.

• It borders the Thar Desert in India and covers an area of approximately 26,000 square kilometres.
• The desert experiences an arid to semi-arid tropical desert climate, with sandy terrain interspersed with alluvial flats and small sandy dunes.
• Historically, Cholistan served as a hub for caravan trade, which led to the construction of several forts during the medieval period to safeguard the trade routes.
• The most well-preserved example of these forts is the Derawar Fort, built in the 9th century by Rai Jajja Bhatti.