Topic– Part of static series under the heading – “northern plains”
6) How did Northern Plains of India originate? Describe their prominent features and their importance to India’s economy.(250 words)
NCERT India Physical environment Ch 2
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to describe about the northern plains of India, highlight their origin and discuss their contribution to India’s economy.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain that great northern plains are characterized by their extreme horizontal relief, are divided into four distinct divisions – bhabhar belt, Terai belt, Bangar belt and Khadar belt.
Body
- Explain the origin of Himalayas – comparatively of recent origin and are believed to have formed by the filling up of a depression resulting from the uplifting of the Himalayas, by deposition of sediments brought by swift-flowing Himalayan rivers, originated in Himalayas.
- Explain the origin and formation of the four belts mentioned above
- Bhabhar – made up of pebbles and boulders, the streams flow underground, adjacent to foothills
- Terai belt: composed of new alluvium, region is damped and thickly forested and receives heavy rainfall throughout the year and has a variety of wildlife.
- Bangar Belt: composed of old alluvium, forms Gangetic delta, covered by laterite deposits
- Khadar Belt: made up of new alluvium of the flood zones.
- Explain its economic significance – discuss the importance of northern plains as the food basket of India, rivers provide an opportunity for inland transportation etc
