Question

Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.

Answer 1

The Himalayan upliftment out of the Tethys Sea and the subsidence of the northern flank of the Peninsular Plateau resulted in the formation of a large basin. Gradually, the rivers flowing from the mountains in the north and the peninsular plateau in the south filled up this depression with deposits of sediments. This led to the formation of the Northern Plains of India.

The formation of the Northern Plains owes largely to the interplay of three major river systems, namely − the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries. This physiographic division spreads over an area of 7 lakh square kilometres, and is 2,400 kilometres long and 320 kilometres broad. It is a densely populated region. The rich soil cover, adequate water supply and favourable climate make the region agriculturally very productive.

The Northern Plains are broadly divided into three sections.

The Punjab Plains −Western part of the Northern Plains; formed by the Indus and its tributaries

The Ganga Plains − Largest part of the Northern Plains; extends between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers

The Brahmaputra Plains − Eastern part of the Northern Plains; formed by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries

According to the variations in relief features, the Northern Plains are divided into four regions.

Bhabar − Narrow belt of pebbles lying parallel to the slopes of Shiwaliks

Terai − Wet, swampy, marshy region south of the bhabar belt

Bhangar − Terrace-like feature composed of older alluvium, lying above the flood plains

Khadar − Newer, younger deposits of the flood plains