ARUN JOSHI-SRI KRISHNA INSTITUTE, JALANDHAR, 9888933043

THE PHYSIOGRAPHY OF INDIA-INDIAN PLATEAU

BUNDELKHAND BHANDER, BAGHEL AND MALWA PLATEAU

These highlands are situated to the north of Narmada rift valley.

Bundelkhand Plateau is a part of central highlands and is composed of granite and

gneisses.

Malwa plateau is an example of dissected lava plateau, which is covered with

black soil.

MEGHALAYA PLATEAU

It comprises of Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Originally a part of peninsular plateau.

Garo-Rajmahal Gap separates it from the main block of peninsular plateau

CHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU

Highest peak- Parasnath (1,366m) in the Hazaribagh Plateau.

Situated in the north eastern part of Indian Plateau includes the region of Bihar,

adjoining Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. It consists of the Ranchi Plateau in the south, the Hazaribagh Plateau in the north, and the Rajmahal Hills in the northeast. Described as the “Ruhr of India”. Pat lands are one of the chief characteristics of Chotanagpur Plateau. Very rich in mineral resources.

DECCAN PLATEAU

South of the Satpura Range in the peninsula is called the Deccan Plateau.

(1)The Deccan Lava Plateau Region

Northwestern part of Deccan Plateau is the region of Basaltic lava.

It includes the Western Ghats north of 16o north latitude, plateau of Maharashtra (except the east of Nagpur) and the adjoining parts of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

(2) Telengana Plateau

Part of the Deccan Plateau, comprises of the interior region of Andhra Pradesh.

North of Krishna River is the plateau of Telengana.

South of the Krishna River, lying in the Rayalseema plateau region.

(3)The Karnataka Plateau

Situated to the south of Deccan Lava Region.

Malnad and Maidan are two physiographic regions of Karnataka plateau.

i) Malnad

Hilly and dissected plateau region about 64km wide lying close to the Western Ghats.

(ii) Maidan

Situated in the eastern part of Malnad, relatively large rolling plains with low granitic hills.

THE WEST COASTAL PLAIN

Runs from Rann of Kachchh to Kanyakumari and are confined to a narrow belt

about 10-15 km wide.

KATHIAWAR COAST(Total length:500km)

The West Coastal Plain between Daman in the north and Goa in the south is examples of coast of submergence due to vertical movements , and is consequently dissected.

Coastal lowland is uneven and is interspersed with river valleys, creeks and ridges.

MALABAR COAST

Extends from Goa in the north to Kanyakumari in the south is a coastline of emergence.

Southern coastal region receives more rainfall during summer monsoon season.

THE EAST COASTAL PLAIN

Extends from the deltaic plains of the Ganga in the north to Kanyakumari in

the south for 1100 km with an average width of 120km.

(I)UTKAL COAST

Extends for about 400km from deltaic plains of the Gango to the Mahanadi delta.

(II)ANDHRA COASTAL PLAINS

Extends from the southern limit of Utkal plains to Puliant lake(Andhra Pradesh).

It has large deltas of the Krishna and the Godavari rivers.

(III)TAMIL NADU PLAINS

Extends about 675km, from the north of Chennai to Kanyakumari in the south. It has the deltaic plains of Kaveri and is popularly called the Granary of South India.

IMPORTANT GULFS

GULF OF KACHCHH

Separates: Kachchh and Kathiwar Penisual.

Location: West if Gujarat

Information: Region with highest potential of tidal energy generation.

GULF OF CAMBAY

Separates: Kathiawar Penisula and Gujarat

Location: Gujarat

Information: Tapi, Narmada, Mahi and Sabarmati rive drain into the Gulf.

GULF MANNAR

Separates: Sri Lanka and Southern India

Location: South east of Tamil Nadu

Information: Asia’s first marine biosphere reserves.

IMPORTANT LAGOONS AND LAKES

VEMBNAD LAKE

State: Kerala

Information: Large sized lagoons of Kerala, have fertile alluvial islands, 63 km in length.

KAYALS

State: Kerala

Information: Popularly called back water in Kerala. A chain of lakes which are connected with each other y canal. Peaty soils of backwaters are called Kari in Kerala.

CHILKA LAKE

Maximum length -64km/ Maximum breadth- 20km/ Average width -150km

State: Orissa

Information: Situated to the south west of the Mahanadi Delta.

Enclosed by the sand pit, has an opening which permits sea connection.

Largest brackish water lake in Asia.

FRESH WATER LAKE

WULAR LAKE:

State: Jammu and Kashmir..  Largest fresh water lake of India

KOLLERU LAKE:

State: Andhra Pradesh

Information: A part of the sea enclosed between the deltas of Godavari and the Mahanadi and has a number of islands in it.

PULICAT LAKE:

State: Andhra Pradesh

Situated on the southern border of Andhra Pradesh. Lagoon formed due to enclosure by sand bar.

JAISAMAND LAKE:

State: Rajasthan

Information: Largest fresh water lake of Rajasthan

NAKKI LAKE:

State: Rajasthan

A small natural lake near Mt. Abu surrounded by hills important as tourist place.

LOKTAK LAKE:

State: Manipur

Site hydroelectricity power generation an example of centripetal drainage.

SALINE WATER LAKES:

SAMBHAR LAKE

State: Rajasthan

Largest Lake of Rajasthan lies on the border of Jaipur and Nagaur District.

Sodium chloride (common salt) and sodium sulphate are produced mainly by the

Hindustan Salt Ltd.

DEEDWANA LAKE

State: Rajasthan

Information: Situated near Deedwana Town of Nagpur District.