THE NORTHERN PLAINS OF INDIA

2) THE NORTHERN PLAINS

Location of the Northern Mountains To the south of the Great Mountains of the north.

Formation of the Northern Plains The Himalayan uplift out of the Tethys sea and subsidence of the northern flank of the peninsular plateau resulted in the formation of a large basin.

Formation of the Northern Plains In due course of time this depression, gragually got filled with deposition of sediments by the rivers flowing from the mountains in the north and the peninsular plateau in the south.

Formation of the Northern Plains A flat land of extensive alluvial deposits led to the formation of the northern plains of India.

Extension of The Northern Plains This vast plain is extending about 2500 km long and 250km to 350 km broad from the Satluj in the west to the Brahmaputra in the east. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq.km. It is made up of the alluvium brought down and deposited by the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries.

River Distributaries The rivers in their lower course, due to the gentle slope, low velocity and huge deposition of silt, splite into numerous channels known as distributaries and results in the formation of riverine island.

Riverine Island Majuli, in the Brahmaputra River is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.

Sections of the Northern Plains The Northern Plains are broadly divided into three sections. I) The Indus / Punjab Plains. II) The Ganga Plains. III) The Brahmaputra Plains.

I) The Indus / Punjab Plains The western part of the Northern Plain formed by the Indus river and its tributaries. The larger part of this plain lies in Pakistan. Indus – Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj . Plain is dominated by the doabs – land between 2 waterbodies (rivers).

II) The Ganga Plains The middle part of the Northern Plain formed by the Ganga river and its tributaries. The Ganga – the Yamuna, the Ghaghara, the Kosi the Gandak, the Son.

III) The Brahmaputra Plains The eastern part of the Northern Plain formed by the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries. The Brahmaputra Lohit,Dibang, Siang,Kameng, Subansiri,Dihing, Dikhu,Disang Forms largest Delta in the world. (Sunderban)

Regions of the Northern Plains According to the variations in relief features, the Northern Plains can be divided into 4 regions. 1) The Bhabar 2) The Terai 3) The Bhanger 4) The Khadar

1) The Bhabar The rivers, after descending from the mountains deposite pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 km to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwalik is known as Bhabar.

2) The Tarai A narrow belt of a wet, swampy and marshy region to the south of the Bhabar belt. This was a thickly forested region full of wildlife but forests have been cleared for agricultural land.

3) The Bhangar It is older alluvium of the plains. Kankar and clay are found in this soil. It is not renewable frequently. It is less fertile. It is found away from the rivers.

4) The Khadar It is younger alluvium of the plains. It is renewed year after year. It is found near and in the course of rivers and flood plains. It is fine one. It is more fertile.

2) THE NORTHERN PLAINS Plain is very productive / fertile and rich in minerals. Rainfall -- Heavy. Agriculture is main occupation.