A study published in Mausam by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reveals northern India
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Climate change & international agreements· Prelims + Mains·
Climate change and zone shifts: a key GS3 Environment and Agriculture case study.
Why in news
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) published a study in 'Mausam' revealing that northern India shifted toward a hotter, drier climate between 1951-1980 and 1991-2020.
Background
The study 'Identifying the climate zones shifts of Indian meteorological subdivisions' analyzed IMD data to redraw India's climate map for successive 30-year periods. It identified four primary zones: hot semi-arid, tropical savannah, tropical monsoon, and temperate.
Facts for Prelims
- FactHot semi-arid zone in peninsular India shrank from 30% to 16% over the same period
- PlaceThe hot semi-arid zone expanded eastward into eastern Uttar Pradesh
- FactTropical savannah zone now covers three-quarters of peninsular India
- BodyMausam is a peer-reviewed journal of the India Meteorological Department (IMD)
Prelims practice question
Which specific region saw an eastward expansion of the hot semi-arid zone according to the IMD study?
- (a)Eastern Gujarat
- (b)Eastern Uttar Pradesh
- (c)Southern Kerala
- (d)Western Rajasthan
Show answer
Answer: (b) Eastern Uttar Pradesh — The study identified that the hot semi-arid zone expanded eastward into eastern Uttar Pradesh.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the implications of shifting climate zones in northern India on agricultural productivity and water security.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Agricultural vulnerability: Shift of hot semi-arid zones into eastern Uttar Pradesh threatens traditional sowing and harvesting cycles
- Hydrological stress: Expansion of dry zones in the north necessitates revised irrigation strategies for staple crops
- Regional divergence: Contrasting wetting trends in peninsular India vs. drying trends in the north create asymmetrical climate adaptation needs
Keywords: Climate Zone Shift · Semi-arid Expansion · Meteorological Subdivisions · Agricultural Resilience · Climate Mapping
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