Question.
Give an account of the Northern Plains of India.
( Chapter - 2 Physical Features of India, Cass 9 NCERT Contemporary India -I )
Answer.
Northern Plains of India is one of the six Physiographic divisions of India, the other five are the Himalayas, Peninsular India, Indian desert, coastal plains, and Islands.
Northern plains are the most densely populated physiographic division as it is rich in fertile soils( alluvial soils), adequate water supply, plain land, and favorable climate. It is the most agriculturally productive part of India.
Northern plains are formed by three major river systems namely the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra along with their tributaries.
About the dimension of the northern plains, it spreads over an area of 7 lakh square km. It is about 2400 km long and 240 to 320 km broad.
West to the east division of Northern plains:
From west to east, the Northern plains can be divided into three parts- Punjab plains, Ganga plains, and Brahmaputra plains.
Punjab plains are formed by the Indus river and its tributaries. A large part of the Punjab plains lies in Pakistan. It is dominated by doabs [ land between two rivers].
Ganga plains lie between the Ghaggar river and the Teesta River. Ganga plains are spread over Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Part of Jharkhand, and part of West Bengal.
The Eastern part of the Northern plains is known as the Brahmaputra plains. It is formed by the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries. Assam plains are the largest part of the Brahmaputra plains.
About the relief of Northern plains:
Northern plains have also diverse relief features, as per relief variation, northern plains can be divided into four regions:
Bhabar region
Terai region
Bhangar region
Khadar region
The Bhabar region of the northern plains lies south of the Shiwalik Himalayas range, it is parallel and extended from west to east. It is a narrow zone of about 8 to 16 km in width.
The Terai region of the Northern plains lies south of the Bhabar belt. It is a wet, swampy, and Marshy region. Terai region is a thickly forested region full of wildlife. Dudhwa national park is located in the Terai region.
Bhangar is the largest part of the northern plains, it is formed by older alluvial plains. It lies south of the Terai region and lies above the floodplains of rivers. The soil of Bhangar is comprised of calcareous deposits, locally known as Kankar.
Khadar is the newer and younger deposit of alluvial and it is lie in the floodplains. Khadar region gets renewed by flood almost every year with fertile soils, and it is ideal for intensive cultivation.
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