The Nothern Plains - Concepts - Chapter 2 Class 9 Geography - Physical Features of India - Geography

• Has been formed by the interplay of the 3 major river systems, namely- Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra along with their tributaries.
• This plain is formed of alluvial soil.
• Deposition of alluvium in a vast basin lying at foothills of Himalaya over years, formed this fertile plain.
• It spreads over an area of 7Lakh sq.km. The plain being about 2400 km long and 240 to 320km broad, and is densely populated.
• With a rich soil cover combined with adequate water supply and favourable climate it is agriculturally productive.
• Rivers coming from northern mountains are involved in depositional work. In the lower course, due to gentle slope, velocity of river decreases, which results in formation of riverine islands.
• MAJULI, in the Brahmaputra river is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.
• Rivers in their lower course, split into numerous channels due to deposition of silt. These channels are called Distributaries.

• Western part of northern plains is referred to as Punjab Plains. Formed by Indus river and its tributaries, larger part of this plain lies in Pakistan.
• Indus and its tributaries : Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Satluj originate in the Himalayas.
• Doab : is made up of 2 words; do meaning 2, ab meaning water. Similarly,
•  ‘Punjab’ is made up of 2 words : Punj meaning 5, ab meaning water.

• Ganga plain extends between Ghaggar and Teesta rivers. It is spread over states of North India, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, partly Jharkhand and West Bengal to its east.
• Brahmaputra plain lies in Assam. They cover the areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

• Northern plains also have diverse relief features, according to this diversity,

Northern plains can be divided into 4 regions :

1. The rivers, after descending from mountains, deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16km in width lying parallel to slopes of the shiwaliks. It is called Bhabar.
2. To the south of this belt, streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and marshy region called Terai . This was a thickly forested region full of wildlife.
3. Largest part of the northern plain is formed of older alluvium. It lies above the floodplains of rivers and presents a terrace like feature. This is called Bhangar. The soil in this region contains calcareous deposits, locally known as Kankar.
4. The newer, younger deposits of floodplains are called Khadar . They are renewed almost every year and are fertile, thus, ideal for intensive agriculture.