Question

Distinguish between the following: Duns and chos in the Shiwalik ranges.

Answer 1

• Siwaliks are the youngest ranges of the Himalayas. The valley of these ranges are called 'Duns' or 'Duars'.
  
• Doon or Dun is a local word for valley, particularly an open valley in the Shivaliks or between the Shivaliks and higher Himalayan foothills. Other valleys in this region have names like Patli Dun, Kothri Dun, Pinjore Dun in Himachal Pradesh.
  
• Duns are longitudinal valleys formed as a result of folding when Eurasian plate and Indian plate collided. They are formed between Lesser Himalayas and Shiwaliks. These valleys are deposited with coarse alluvium brought down by Himalayan rivers.
  
• The southern slopes of Shiwalik range in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are almost devoid of forest cover. These slopes are highly dissected by seasonal streams called Chos.
• The networks of rivers in the north of the plains jointed with the Shiwaliks are called 'Chos'.