Correct Option
The correct option is The Indian Desert.
Explanation
The Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert or the Great Indian Desert, lies to the northwest of the Aravali Hills. It is characterized as an undulating sandy plain covered with various types of sand dunes formed by aeolian (wind) processes due to the arid climate and low vegetation cover.
Detailed Analysis
- The Indian Desert (Marusthali): This physiographic division is distinct for its arid climate, with rainfall below 150 mm per year. The land features prominent aeolian landforms.
- Barchans: These are crescent-shaped sand dunes with the points or wings directed away from the wind. They are widely distributed across the Indian Desert.
- Longitudinal Sand Ridges: These are elongated dunes that form parallel to the prevailing wind direction. They are particularly prominent near the Indo-Pakistan boundary.
- The Western Coastal Plains: These are narrow plains situated between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, characterized by estuaries, lagoons, and backwaters, not arid sand dunes.
- The Central Highlands: This region is part of the Peninsular Plateau, consisting of hard rock terrain (igneous and metamorphic) and plateaus like Malwa and Bundelkhand, rather than sandy desert features.
- The Tarai Belt: This is a marshy, wet, and thickly forested zone located south of the Bhabar belt in the Northern Plains, distinct from arid desert landscapes.
Key Takeaway: Barchans (crescent-shaped dunes) and longitudinal sand ridges are characteristic aeolian landforms specific to the arid environment of the Indian Desert.