Q. Consider the following statements about the Indian Desert:

1. The Great Indian Desert lies to the north-west of the Aravalli hills.
2. This region receives low rainfall, below 350 mm per year.
3. It is believed that during the Mesozoic era, this region was under the sea.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Only 1 and 3
Notes: To the northwest of the Aravalli hills lies the Great Indian Desert. It is a land of undulating topography dotted with longitudinal dunes and barchans. This region receives low rainfall below 150 mm per year; hence, it has arid climate with low vegetation cover. It is because of these characteristic features that this is also known as Marusthali. It is believed that during the Mesozoic era, this region was under the sea. This can be corroborated by the evidence available at Wood Fossils Park at Aakal and marine deposits around Brahmsar, near Jaisalmer (The approximate age of the wood fossils is estimated to be 180 million years).