Many people think Oasis in a desert
look like a small lake in surrounded by palm trees. But it is much more
than that. So here I am putting up some photos which show how most oasis
in Sahara looks like. People who live in an oasis must manage land and
water use carefully. Infect they do it so well, that a formal course
and degree can be formulated for it. – MBA in Oasis Management.
Agriculture around oasis is probably the best example of intensive form
of agriculture. Now Oasis are formed from underground rivers or
aquifers, where water can reach the surface naturally by pressure. The
location of oasis has been of critical importance for trade and
transportation routes in the Sahara. Caravans must travel via oasis so
that supplies of water and food can be replenished. Thus, political or
military control of an oasis has in many cases meant control of trade on
a particular route. For example, the oases of Awjila, Ghadames, and
Kufra, etc, have at various times been vital to both
North-South and East-West trade in the Sahara Desert. The most
important plant in an oasis is the date palm, which forms the upper
layer. These palm trees protects the oasis from harsh desert winds and
provide shade for smaller trees. By growing plants in different layers,
the farmers make best use of the soil and water. Many vegetables are
also grown and some cereals. Contrary to popular belief, desert soil is
good for cultivation if water is made available, so in an oasis besides
the dates a lot of other plants are cultivated. I have seen papaya and
even some bananas being planted in the desert. The lands around the
oasis are highly prized and protected. As you can see in the photos,
small land holding are intensely cultivated. Also small ponds are dug by
farmers to store water and some of them are able to access ground water
also at times.
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