Unique features of Indian plateaus

India, a land of immense geographical diversity, boasts seven distinct plateaus that add variety to its landscape. These plateaus, formed by the Deccan Traps, volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, offer scenic vistas, and unique ecosystems, and are home to various cultures and historical sites. The unique features of Indian plateaus include the Deccan Traps, vast volcanic rock formations, that have shaped the landscape and ecology of the region. Here’s a glimpse into the major plateaus of India:

Deccan Plateau(The Peninsular Plateau)

1. Geological Significance: The Peninsular Plateau of India, also known as the Deccan Plateau, is one of the oldest land masses on Earth. It formed during the Cretaceous period through volcanic activity. The plateau consists of various types of rocks, including igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.
2. Physical Characteristics:
   • Topography: The Deccan Plateau is characterized by gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and flat-topped plateaus.
   • Deccan Trap: This distinctive feature comprises basaltic lava flows resulting from ancient volcanic eruptions. The Deccan Trap covers a significant portion of the plateau and contributes to its rugged appearance.
   • Black Soil: The plateau’s soil, known as black cotton soil, is fertile and suitable for agriculture. It supports crops like cotton, soybeans, and pulses.
3. Mineral Wealth:
   • The Deccan Plateau hosts abundant mineral resources, including iron ore, manganese, and coal. These minerals have played a crucial role in India’s industrial development.
   • The region also contains valuable minerals like bauxite, limestone, and chromite.
4. Waterfalls and Rivers:
   • Hundru Falls: Located on the Subarnarekha River, Hundru Falls is a picturesque waterfall within the Deccan Plateau.
   • Other rivers originating from the plateau include the Godavari, Krishna, and Tungabhadra.
5. Historical and Cultural Significance:
   • The Deccan Plateau has witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties, including the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, and Vijayanagara Empire.
   • It is home to several ancient cave temples, rock-cut monuments, and Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
6. Major States: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
7. Notable Cities: Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Chennai.
8. Wildlife species like tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and various bird species inhabit the region.

Chota Nagpur Plateau

1. Geographical Context:
   • Location: The Chota Nagpur Plateau lies to the north and east of the Indo-Gangetic plain. The basin of the Mahanadi River lies to its south.
   • The Chota Nagpur Plateau, situated in eastern India, covers significant portions of Jharkhand, as well as adjacent areas in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar.
   • Total Area: Approximately 65,000 square kilometers (25,000 square miles) constitute the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
2. Formation and Geological Significance:
   • The Chota Nagpur Plateau is a continental plateau, uplifted due to forces acting deep within the Earth.
   • Its Gondwana substrates reveal its ancient origin. It was part of the Deccan Plate, which broke away from the southern continent during the Cretaceous period.
   • The northeastern part of the Deccan Plateau, where the Chota Nagpur Plateau sits, was the first area of contact with Eurasia.
3. Three Divisions:
   • Highest Step: Located in the western part of the plateau, this step features plateaus locally known as “pats”. These plateaus are situated at elevations of 910 to 1,070 meters (3,000 to 3,500 feet) above sea level, with the highest point reaching 1,164 meters (3,819 feet).
   • Middle Step: Encompasses larger portions of the old Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and some parts of the old Palamu districts. The general height here is around 610 meters (2,000 feet).
   • Lowest Step: Covers the old Manbhum and Singhbhum districts. High hills, such as the Parasnath Hills (1,370 meters or 4,480 feet) and Dalma Hills (1,038 meters or 3,407 feet), characterize this section.
4. Ecology and Minerals:
   • The Chota Nagpur Plateau is composed of Precambrian rocks and supports diverse flora and fauna.
   • It is rich in mineral resources, including iron ore, coal, and manganese.

Meghalaya Plateau

1. Geographical Context:
   • Location: The Meghalaya Plateau lies in the state of Meghalaya, surrounded by the Garo Hills to the west, the Khasi Hills to the east, and the Bangladesh Plains to the south.
   • Rainfall: It is one of the rainiest areas globally, receiving abundant precipitation during the monsoon season.
2. Distinct Horst:
   • The Meghalaya Plateau is a distinct horst, uplifted along the northeastern flank of Peninsular India.
   • It is tectonically active and hosts some of the richest types of karst phenomena in India.
3. Karst Landscapes:
   • The plateau features undulating hills, deep valleys, and thick forests.
   • Karst formations, such as limestone caves, sinkholes, and disappearing streams, abound in this region.
4. Mineral Wealth:
   • The Meghalaya Plateau is geologically rich and mainly consists of Archean rock formations.
   • It harbors valuable mineral deposits, including coal, limestone, uranium, and sillimanite.
5. Cultural and Natural Heritage:
   • The plateau is home to indigenous communities, including the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia people.
   • It boasts lush biodiversity, with dense forests and unique flora and fauna.
6. Living Root Bridges:
   • One of the most remarkable features is the living root bridges found in the Khasi Hills.
   • These bridges are created by training the roots of Ficus elastica trees to form natural bridges over streams.

Malwa Plateau

1. Geological Origin:
   • The Malwa Plateau is of volcanic origin and lies to the north of the Vindhya Range.
   • It is characterized by ancient lava flows that have been sculpted by erosion into isolated mesas scattered across the plateau.
   • These mesas, along with occasional sandstone hills, contribute to the unique landscape of the region.
2. Boundaries and Composition:
   • The plateau is bounded by:
     • The Madhya Bharat Plateau and Bundelkhand Upland to the north.
     • The Vindhya Range to the east and south.
     • The Gujarat Plains to the west.
   • Politically and administratively, Malwa is synonymous with the former state of Madhya Bharat, which was later merged with Madhya Pradesh.
3. Hydrology and Vegetation:
   • The Malwa Plateau ranges in elevation from approximately 1,650 to 2,000 feet (500 to 600 meters).
   • The plateau is relatively flat and is drained by rivers such as the Chambal, Betwa, and Narmada. It is known for its fertile black soil and is a significant agricultural region, producing crops such as wheat, soybeans, and cotton.

Bundelkhand Plateau

1. Location and Shape:
   • The Bundelkhand Plateau is situated in the central part of India.
   • It roughly forms a triangular shape, with its base coinciding with the southern edge of the great plain of North India.
   • The apex of this triangular plateau lies at Kanniyakumari.
2. Area and Composition:
   • The total area covered by the Bundelkhand Plateau is approximately 16 lakh square kilometers (India as a whole is 32 lakh square kilometers).
   • The average height of the plateau varies from 600 to 900 meters above sea level.
   • Most of the peninsular rivers flow from west to east, indicating the general slope of the plateau.
   • Notably, the Narmada and Tapti rivers are exceptions; they flow from east to west due to a rift caused by divergent tectonic boundaries.
3. Bundelkhand Upland:
   • Comprises parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
   • The average elevation ranges from 300 to 600 meters above sea level.
   • Slopes down from the Vindhyan Scarp toward the Yamuna River.
   • Composed of granite and gneiss (known as Bundelkhand gneiss)

Marwar Plateau

1. Location and Composition:
   • The Marwar Plateau lies to the east of the Aravalli mountain range.
   • It is adjacent to the Marwar Plain, which is situated to the west of the Aravallis.
   • The average elevation of the Marwar Plateau varies between 250 and 500 meters above sea level.
   • Geologically, it is composed of sandstone, shales, and limestones from the Vindhayan period.
2. Topography and Features:
   • The plateau slopes down eastwards from its western edge.
   • The erosional activity of the Banas River and its tributaries (such as the Berach and Khari rivers) has shaped the plateau top, giving it a rolling plain appearance.
   • A rolling plain is characterized by slight rises and falls in the landform, similar to the prairies of the USA.
3. Significance:
   • The Marwar Plateau plays a crucial role in the region’s landscape and ecology.
   • Its sandstone formations contribute to the unique terrain and vegetation.
   • Livelihood activities in the area include sheep husbandry, silkworm farming, and cattle rearing.
   • Notably, the Kolar gold fields are part of the broader Marwar Plateau region.

Central Highlands of India

The Central Highlands of India form a significant geological structure and biogeographic region situated between the Deccan plateau and the Indo-Gangetic plains. Let’s explore its key features:

1. Geographical Extent:
   • The Central Highlands cover much of the southern and eastern parts of India.
   • This region includes the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
2. Mountain Ranges and Plateaus:
   • The Central Highlands consist of several mountain ranges and plateaus:
     • Vindhya Range: Extending from the western terminus near Delhi to Ahmedabad (about 800 km).
     • Aravalli Range: Running southwest from Delhi to near Ahmedabad.
     • Chota Nagpur Plateau: Known for its rich mineral resources.
     • Malwa Plateau: Located in central India.
     • Narmada Valley: Carved by the Narmada River.
     • Bundelkhand Upland: Lies between the Yamuna and the northern arcuate scrap of the Vindhyan plateau.
     • Eastern Rajasthan Upland: Ranges in height from 250 to 500 meters.
     • Madhya Bharat Pathar: Rocky surface with dense forests east of the Chambal River.
     • Vindhya Scraplands: Adjacent to the Vindhya Range.
   • The Vindhya range is an escarpment that varies in character and height, following a 300-meter contour line.
3. Population and Culture:
   • The population in the Central Highlands is primarily Indo-Aryan, with a significant presence of Aboriginal cohorts.
   • Languages spoken here include Marwari, Malwi, Bundeli, Bagheli, Chhattisgarhi, and Maithili.
   • The region is densely wooded, and various aboriginal tribal groups practice different forms of Hinduism.
   • It has a large tribal population, second only to North-East India.
   • Historically, empires and dynasties faced resistance from aborigines while trying to conquer or control this area.

These are some of the prominent plateaus in India, each with its unique geological, geographical, and cultural significance. They play important roles in the country’s economy, ecology, and biodiversity.

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