Significance of the Peninsular Plateau

Significance of the Peninsular Plateau

The Indian Peninsular Plateau is the oldest landmass on the Indian subcontinent and is said to be a part of the ancient Gondwanaland. Because of its richness in minerals, fauna, and forests, the region has made significant contributions to the country's prosperity.

1. Peninsular India is a depository of minerals. Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and southeast Rajasthan-all lying in Peninsular India-are associated with a variety of minerals, such as iron, bauxite, mica, manganese, copper, chromium and coal.  Iron, gold, chromium, and porcelain clay are abundant in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Coal, mica, graphite, and corundum are all found in Telangana. 
2. The northwestern plateau of Indian Peninsula is covered with iron-rich basaltic lava. Cotton can be grown in soil made of basaltic lava, also known as black soil. This soil also makes it easier to grow tea, rubber, coffee, and millets. The peninsular region is able to produce tobacco, groundnuts, and oilseeds.
3. The plateau's highlands are covered with various types of forests. Deciduous and evergreen forests are the characteristics of Peninsular India. The region's commercial timbers include ebony, mahagony, cane, bamboo, eucalyaptus, sal, sisum, and sandalwood, while tall grasses, shrubs, and herbs provide fodder.
4. The Peninsular rivers are distinguished by a number of waterfalls that are used to generate hydroelectricity. Apart from these waterfalls, rivers in South India can be used to generate electricity because they contain less silt as they erode igneous rocks. These peninsular rivers have also been impounded for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
5. The Western Ghats have some of India's best fauna. These include the Nilgiri Ibex, black monkeys, and lion-tailed macaques in the Western Ghats' southern reaches (Kerala and Tamil Nadu). The forests of the peninsular region are also home to wild elephants, sambhar, chital, leopards, and tigers.