Question

Explain the characteristics or features of Northern plains?

Answer 1

The Northern Plains-

• These plains extend approximately 3,200 from the east to the west.
• The average width of these plains varies between 150-300 km.
• The maximum depth of alluvium deposits varies between 1,000-2,000 m.
• The area covered by northern plains is 7 lakhs square km and is most densely populated region of country.
  From north to South, these plains can be divided into three sub divisions: Bhabar, Tarai and Alluvial Plains. The alluvial plains can be further divided into the Khadar and the Bhangar.

Bhabar-

• It is a narrow belt ranging between 8-16 km parallel to the Shiwalik foothills at the breaking of the slopes.
• The streams and rivers coming from the mountain deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders and at times, disappear in this zone.

Tarai-

• Its approximate width is of 20-30 km where most of the streams and river re-emerge without having any properly demarcated channel, thereby, creating marshy and swampy condition known as the Tarai.
• It has a luxurious growth of natural vegetation and houses a varied wild life.

Alluvial Plains-

• These plains have characteristic features of mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sand bars, meanders, ox- bow lakes and braided channels. The Brahmaputra plains are known for their riverine islands and sand bars.
• The mouths of these mighty rivers also form some of the largest deltas of the world, for example, the famous Sunderbans delta.
• These river valley plains have a fertile alluvial soil cover which supports a variety of crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane and jute, and hence supports a large population.