Phalodi is a district in the western part of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was created as a separate administrative unit in 2023, when it was carved out of the larger Jodhpur district. The town of Phalodi serves as its district headquarters.
Key facts
| Name | Phalodi district |
|---|---|
| State | Rajasthan |
| Country | India |
| Headquarters | Phalodi |
| Region | Marwar / Thar Desert |
| Parent district | Jodhpur (until 2023) |
| Year formed | 2023 |
Background
The town of Phalodi is a historic settlement in the Thar Desert, long associated with salt trading, havelis built by Marwari merchant families, and the nearby Khichan wetlands, which are well known as a wintering ground for demoiselle cranes. Before the reorganisation, the area formed the northern part of Jodhpur district and was administered as Phalodi sub-division and tehsil.
Formation
The Government of Rajasthan announced the creation of several new districts to improve administrative reach in geographically large units. Phalodi was among the new districts formed by bifurcating Jodhpur district. The notification grouped together tehsils in the northern desert tract around Phalodi town to form the new district, which began functioning with its own collector and superintendent of police.
Geography
Phalodi district lies in the arid zone of western Rajasthan, within the Thar Desert. The terrain is largely flat to gently undulating, with sand dunes, scrub vegetation, and isolated rocky outcrops. The climate is extreme: summers are very hot and winters can be cold, with low and erratic rainfall typical of the desert region. Phalodi town is among the locations in India that have recorded some of the highest summer temperatures.
Economy and society
The local economy combines rain-fed and irrigated agriculture, animal husbandry (sheep, goats and camels), salt extraction from inland salt pans, and trade. Limestone and gypsum deposits in the surrounding region support small-scale mining and related industries. Tourism is centred on the sandstone havelis of Phalodi town and the bird-watching site at Khichan.
Transport
Phalodi is connected by rail and road to Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer. The Phalodi Junction railway station lies on routes linking the desert towns of western Rajasthan, and National and State Highways pass through the district.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata: Q122971167
- Government of Rajasthan notifications on the formation of new districts (2023).