Question

Describe division of the Northern Plain on the basis of variations in relief features.

Answer 1

According to the various relief features, the Northern Plains can be divided into four regions:
(i) The Bhabar Belt. The Bhabar is that narrow belt of the plain which is covered with pebbles and lies along the foothills of the Shiwaliks from the Indus to the Teesta. This belt is laid down by numerous streams descending down the hills. All the streams disappear in this Bhabar Belt.

(ii) The Terai Belt. It lies next to the Bhabar region and is composed of newer alluvium. These plains are formed due to the re-emergence of rivers and thus creating a wet, swampy and marshy region known as terai. It was thickly forested region full of wildlife. But now the forests have been cleared to create agricultural land and to settle migrants from Pakistan after partition.
(iii) The Bhangar Belt. It is formed from older alluvium. They lie above the flood plains of the rivers and present a terrace like feature. These plains are found far from the river basins. The soil in this region contains calcareous deposits locally known as Kankar which is less fertile.
(iv) The Khadar Belt. The newer, younger deposits of the flood plains are called Khadar. They are renewed almost every year. So they are very fertile and ideal ,for intensive agriculture.