The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river systems, nam0ely — the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries. The plain is formed of alluvial soil. The deposition of the Himalaya over millions of years, formed this fertile plain. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. Km. The plain being about 2400 Km long and 240 to 320 Km broad, is a densely populated physiographic division. With a rich soil cover combined with adequate water supply and favourable climate it is agriculturally a productive part of India. The rivers coming from northern mountains are involved in depositional work. In the lower course, due to gentle slope, the velocity of the river decreases, which results in the formation of riverine islands.
Do You Know? Majuli, in the Brahmaputra rive, is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.
The rivers in their lower course split into numerous channels due to the deposition of silt. These channels are known as distributaries. The Northern Plain is broadly divided into three sections. The Western part of the Northern Plain is referred to as the Punjab Plains. Larger part of this plain lies in Pakistan. The Indus and its tributaries – the Jhelum, the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas and the Satluj originate in the Himalaya. This section of the plain is do9minated by the doabs.
Do You Know ? ‘Doab’ is made up of two words – ‘do’ meaning two and ‘ab’ meaning water. Similarl ‘Punjab’, is also made up two words – ‘Punj’ meaning five and ‘ab’ meaning water.
The Ganga plain extends between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. It is spread over the states of North India, Haryana, Delhi, U.P., Bihar, partly Jharkhand and West Bengal to its East, particul4arly in Assam lies the Brahmaputra plain. The northern plains are generally described as flat land with no variations in its relief. It is not true. These vast plains alos have diverse relief features. According to the variations in relief features, the Northern plains can be divided into four regions. The rivers, after descending form the mountains deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 Km i9n width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. It is known as bhabar. All the streams disappear in this bhabar belt. South of this belt, the streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and marshy region known as terai. This was a thickly forested region full of wildlife. The forests have been cleared to create agricultural land and to settle migrants from Pakistan after partition. Locate Dudhwa National Park in this region. The largest part of the northern plain is formed of older alluvium. It lies above the floodplains of the rivers and presents a terrace-like feature. Thi0s part is known as bhangra. The soil in this region contains calcareous deposits, locally known as kankar. The newer, younger deposits of the floodplains are called khadar. They are renewed almost every year and so are fertile, thus, ideal for intensive agriculture.
Language: English
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