Possible Neotectonic Activities in the Luni-Jawai Plains, Rajasthan

The present disorganised state of many streams in the Luni-Jawai plains of western Rajasthan has been attributed to a shift to an arid climate. The satellite images of the area, however, indicate a number of lineaments across the plains. Most cases of drainage disappearance appear related to these lineaments, as also the formation of river terraces and development of gullies. The findings tend to confirm at least two episodes of Quaternary tectonic movement in the area, resulting in channel changes/obliterations and other drainage anomalies. The pattern of drainage disorganisation suggests that change of climate could at best be an associated factor, and not the primary one.