Chapter-9: Life in the deserts

These NCERT Class 7 Geography Chapter 9 notes explain how people live and survive in desert regions with extreme climate conditions. The chapter shows that even areas with very low rainfall and harsh temperatures support human life through adaptation.

Life in the Deserts focuses on two contrasting desert regions—the Sahara Desert, a hot desert in Africa, and Ladakh, a cold desert in India. It explains their climate, vegetation, wildlife and the lifestyle of people living in these regions.

This chapter helps students understand human adaptability and the relationship between environment and livelihood in extreme regions.

1. Introduction

• Deserts are regions with very low rainfall.
• They experience extreme temperatures during day and night.
• Vegetation in deserts is very limited.
• Despite harsh conditions, humans have adapted to desert life.
• Deserts show the strength of human survival and adjustment.

2. Types of deserts

• Deserts are mainly of two types.
• Hot deserts experience very high temperatures.
• Cold deserts experience extremely low temperatures.
• This chapter studies the Sahara Desert as a hot desert.
• It also studies Ladakh as a cold desert.

3. Hot desert: Sahara

• The Sahara is located in Africa.
• It is the largest hot desert in the world.
• It covers a large part of North Africa.
• The desert spreads across many countries.
• These include Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan and Morocco.

4. Climate of the Sahara Desert

• Days in the Sahara are extremely hot.
• Nights become very cold.
• Annual rainfall is less than 25 cm.
• Hot air rises and prevents cloud formation.
• Due to this, rainfall is very rare.

5. Vegetation of the Sahara

• Vegetation in the Sahara is very sparse.
• Plants have long roots to reach underground water.
• Stems are thick to store water.
• Leaves are small to reduce water loss.
• Common plants include date palm, cactus and thorny bushes.

6. Wildlife of the Sahara

• The camel is the most important animal of the Sahara.
• It is called the ship of the desert.
• Other animals include fox and hyena.
• Reptiles like snakes and lizards are common.
• Scorpions are also found in desert regions.

7. Life of people in the Sahara

• People practise nomadic herding.
• Oasis farming is common near water sources.
• Trade is an important activity.
• Crops like dates, barley and wheat are grown.
• People live in mud houses or tents.
• Loose and heavy robes protect them from heat and dust storms.

8. Cold desert: Ladakh

• Ladakh is located in Northern India.
• It lies in the Great Himalayas.
• Ladakh is known as a cold desert.
• It is surrounded by high mountains.
• Climate and relief strongly influence life here.

9. Climate of Ladakh

• Ladakh has an extremely cold climate.
• Winters are long and severe.
• Rainfall is very low throughout the year.
• Temperatures remain below freezing for long periods.
• Agriculture is limited due to harsh climate.

10. Vegetation of Ladakh

• Vegetation is very limited in Ladakh.
• Growing season is very short.
• Only hardy plants survive.
• Willow and poplar trees are found near water.
• Grasses grow in some areas during summer.

11. Wildlife of Ladakh

• Ladakh supports special mountain wildlife.
• Yak is the most important animal.
• Tibetan wild ass is also found.
• The region is home to the snow leopard.
• Wildlife is adapted to cold conditions.

12. Life of people in Ladakh

• People practise animal herding.
• Limited farming is done during summer.
• Tourism has become an important occupation.
• Crops like barley, wheat and peas are grown.
• Houses have thick walls and flat roofs.
• Woollen clothes protect people from cold winds.

13. Transport and communication

• Transport in deserts is difficult due to climate.
• In the Sahara, camel caravans are commonly used.
• Road connectivity is limited in many desert areas.
• In Ladakh, roads remain open only during summer.
• Zoji La and other mountain passes are very important.

14. Comparison between Sahara and Ladakh

• The Sahara is a hot desert with very high temperatures.
• Ladakh is a cold desert with extremely low temperatures.
• Both deserts receive very little rainfall.
• Vegetation is sparse in both regions.
• Camel is common in Sahara, while yak is common in Ladakh.

15. Important keywords

• Desert is a region with very low rainfall.
• Oasis is a fertile area with water in a desert.
• Hot desert and cold desert differ in temperature.
• Sahara is the largest hot desert.
• Ladakh is a cold desert in India.
• Nomadic herding is a common desert occupation.

Understanding NCERT Class 7 Geography Chapter 9 is important to learn how humans adapt to difficult environments like hot and cold deserts. The chapter clearly explains differences between the Sahara and Ladakh in terms of climate, vegetation, wildlife and human activities.

The ideas discussed in Life in the Deserts help students appreciate human resilience and environmental diversity and are highly useful for school examinations and foundation-level preparation.

Continue reading higher geography chapters to understand how humans interact with different environments across the world.

FAQs

Q1. What are the two types of deserts discussed in this chapter?
The chapter discusses hot deserts like the Sahara and cold deserts like Ladakh.

Q2. Why is the Sahara Desert very hot during the day?
Because of intense solar heating and very low rainfall.

Q3. Why is Ladakh called a cold desert?
Because it has extremely low temperatures and very little rainfall.

Q4. What is the main occupation of people in deserts?
Nomadic herding, limited farming and trade are main occupations.

Q5. Why is this chapter important for exams?
It explains desert environments and human adaptation, making it important for school exams and foundation-level preparation.