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crops are sown in June and July and harvested in September and
October. These crops are Bajra, Jowar, Pulses, Maize and
Ground nut. Improved, high-yielding varieties of rice are also
grown in the areaswith large water supply. Rape and mustard
are the most important oil seeds. Cotton is an important cash
crop which is grown in the north and south parts of the state.
The fruits and vegetables are also grown throughout the state.
The main fruit trees are orange, lemon, pomegranate, guava and
mango. The main source of irrigation are wells, tube wells and
tanks. Rajasthan receives water from the Punjab rivers in the
North, the Narmada in the South and from the Gurgaon and Agra
Canals from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Minerals of
Rajasthan
Rajasthan has the second
largest mineral resources in India. Rajasthan produces 42
varieties of major minerals and 23 varieties of minor
minerals. The major minerals include Copper, Zinc, Gypsum,
Clay, Soap Stone, Asbestos, Fluorite, Feldspar, Ball Clay and
Rock Phosphate. Rajasthan is the second largest producer of
glass, clay, silica and ceramic and the leading producer of
feldspar, zinc and emeralds. It also produces 94% of India's
gypsum, 76% of silver ore, 84% of asbestos, 68% of feldspar
and 12% of mica. The rich salt deposits are found at Sambhar
and other places and copper mines at Khetri and Dariba. The
white marble is found in Makrana, near Jodhpur.
Industries in Rajasthan
The industrial development in Rajasthan was started between
1950 and 1960. Large business groups like the Birlas, the
Shrirams and the Singhanias have set up large scale projects
in Rajasthan. National Engineering Industries, J K Synthetics
and Rayon industries are the main industries that have been
set up in Rajasthan. Today, almost all prominent groups
including Thapars, Modis, Goenkas, Bangurs, Poddars and Rankas
have a manufacturing base in Rajasthan. Large number of small
scale and large scale industries have been set up in Jaipur,
Kota, Udaipur and Bhilwara in Rajasthan. Chambal Fertilizer
project, Shriram Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd. and Ashok
Leyland Ltd. are the small scale industries that have been set
up. The area of Rajasthan is rich in zinc, copper, gypsum,
lignite and mica. So as to make a proper use of them these
metals are exploited and industries have been developed. The
main industries are based on textiles, rugs, woollen goods,
vegetable oil and dyes. Various cotton and textile industries
have also been set up in several places in Rajasthan. The
other private sector industries include the steel, cement,
ball bearings, ceramics, sugar, electrical, electronics,
tourism and other chemical industries.
Industrial Areas in Rajasthan
Around 212 industrial areas covering an area of about 42000
acre have been set up at strategic locations which are
equipped with electricity, water and telecommunication
services. Shahjahanpur, Neemrana, Behror, Khushkhera, Jurhera
in Bharatpur district and Bhiwadi Industrial Area are the best
industrial estates in India. Industrial areas at Abu Road,
Udaipur and Banswara in South Rajasthan are the ideal
locations for mineral based projects. Sitapura, Malviya and
Vishwakarma industrial areas have been set up in Jaipur which
are equipped with excellent social infrastructure. Export
Promotion Industrial Park has been set up in Sitapura and
Bhiwadi in Rajasthan.
Tourism in Rajasthan
Tourism makes a large contribution to the economy of
Rajasthan. Recent hike in the figures of tourists to Rajasthan
has proved that tourism is a vital source of income for the
state of Rajasthan. One may not forget that many heritage
Hotels (Old forts and Palaces) all over Rajasthan are being
run successfully for handsome amount of money and the
considerable amount of tax being paid to the state government
support the local economy and people of Rajasthan which would
have not been possible without the tourists visiting the
state. A recent study showed that from every single tourist
around 13 people profit directly or indirectly. Local
transporters, Hotels, Shopkeepers, Monuments, Museums, Guides,
Tour Operator just to name a few who survive through tourists.
If proper efforts are taken, then around 30% of the total
population of Rajasthan can live from tourism. Rural tourism
in Rajasthan could bring enormous wealth to the villages of
Rajasthan but due to lack of infrastructure and basic problem
of the society it does not seem very promising in near future
though the local government would always make self glorifying
statements to gain popularity among the villagers. The other
unfortunate factor is that the increase in the cost of per
night stay for tourist may not make Rajasthan in long term an
attractive destination. |
