3.2.6. The Plains of Rajasthan

They lie to the west of Aravallis. These plains cover a total area of about 175,000 sqkm. A substantial part of this plain has been formed by the recession of the sea as is evidenced by the presence of salt water lakes such as Sambhar lake near Jaipur city. During the Permo- carboniferous period, the greater part of the Rajasthan plain was under the sea. It has several dry beds of rivers like Saraswati which indicate that the area earlier was fertile. At present, the greater part of these plains is a desert covered with sand dunes and barchans. The Indira Gandhi canal has led to intensive agriculture in north-western Rajasthan.