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.