Northern Plain:-
The Indo-Gangetic Plain is also known as Indus-Ganga and the North Indian River Plain. It lies between the great northern mountain and peninsular plateau and is formed by three major rivers - the Ganges, the Indus, the Brahmaputra and their tributaries. It covers a large area of about 7, 00,000 sq. km in Northern and Eastern India. Northern plain lies between the great northern mountain and peninsular plateau. It is formed by the three major rivers – Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra and their tributary rivers. This plain covers the area of Indian states Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and West Bengal, Assam. The plain is very fertile as it is formed by deposition of rivers. It is the source of major food grains in India. Northern Plain is divided into three sections- Punjab Plains, Ganges Plains and Brahmaputra Plains.
The plain is divided into three sections:-
- Punjab Plains: It is formed by the river Indus and its five tributaries – Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas. Punjab and Haryana come under this plain. A larger part of this plain is in Pakistan.
- Ganges Plains: The plain is formed by the river Ganges and its tributaries. Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Haryana and West Bengal lies in this plain. It is the largest part of Great Indian Plain.
- Brahmaputra Plains: It is built by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. The plain is known as Assam Plain as most of its part is in Assam.
Divide the parts of plain on the basis of Physical Features:-
Northern Plain is also divided based on the physical geography features. From North to South it is divided into –
- Bhabar Region
- Terai Region
- Bangar Region
- Kadar Region.
It is a narrow belt that lies in the foothills of Himalayas and comprises of pebbles and rocks brought down by the streams and it is almost 8-16 km wide. Rivers flow at very fast speed in this region.
Terai lies south of Bhabar and is 15-30 km wide and is made up of newer alluvium, rich for cultivation, has thick forests. It is covered by thick forest and the area is good for cultivation. Here, the river speed is fast.
It forms the higher part of the plains and is made of older alluvium soil which is less fertile. This region of the Gangetic plains is covered by Laterite soil, rich in iron and aluminum deposits.
It lies on the lowland areas beyond the Bangar belt and is made up of newer highly fertile alluvium brought down by the rivers Kadar lies south of Bangar and is fertile land that is prone to floods.
