Hint: It is the world's largest continuous stretch of alluvium, formed by the deposition of sediment by various rivers. The plains are flat and mainly treeless, making canal irrigation a viable option. The area also has a lot of underground water sources. The plains are the most intensively farmed areas on the planet. Rice and wheat are the principal crops farmed, and they are rotated.
Complete answer:
The Indo-Gangetic plains, commonly known as the Indus Ganga and the North Indian river plain, is a rich plain spanning most of northern and eastern India, covering 255 million hectares (630 million acres).
The region is named after the rivers Indus and Ganges and includes a number of significant cities. The Himalayas, which feed the plain's numerous rivers and are the source of the fertile alluvium deposited throughout the region by the two river systems, border it on the north. The Chota Nagpur Plateau marks the plain's southern boundary.
The Delhi Ridge divides the Indo-Gangetic Plain into two drainage basins: the western part drains to the Indus, while the eastern part contains the Ganga–Brahmaputra drainage systems. Because the Indo-Gangetic Plain appears to be continuous from Sindh in the west to Bengal and Assam in the east, this divide is only 350 metres above sea level.
The fertile Terai area stretches over Southern Nepal and Northern India, running parallel to the Himalayan foothills. The Beas, the Chambal, the Chenab, the Ganga, the Gomti, the Indus, the Ravi, the Sutlej, and the Yamuna are among the rivers covered. The plain's salt-rich soil makes it one of the world's most intensively farmed locations. Even rural areas are thickly occupied in this city.
The correct option is C. The Indo-Gangetic plain is the most fertile region of India.
Note: The Indus and Ganges' numerous tributaries divide the plain into doabs or land tongues that extend to where the tributaries meet. Near the rivers lies khadar land, which is made up of young alluvium and is prone to floods. Bangar land is older alluvium deposited in the middle Pleistocene above the flood boundary.
As an expert in geography and environmental studies, my comprehensive knowledge of the Indo-Gangetic plains allows me to delve into the intricacies of this vast and vital region. The Indo-Gangetic plains, also known as the Indus Ganga and the North Indian river plain, constitute the world's largest continuous stretch of alluvium, formed by the deposition of sediment by various rivers. This immense plain covers a staggering 255 million hectares (630 million acres) across northern and eastern India.
The plains owe their fertility to the Himalayas, which act as the primary source of numerous rivers feeding into the region. The deposition of fertile alluvium by the Indus and Ganges rivers has created a flat and mainly treeless landscape, making canal irrigation a viable option for agricultural activities. The Chota Nagpur Plateau demarcates the southern boundary, while the Delhi Ridge serves as a divide, directing drainage into two basins—the western part draining into the Indus and the eastern part housing the Ganga–Brahmaputra drainage systems.
A notable feature is the Terai area, stretching across Southern Nepal and Northern India parallel to the Himalayan foothills. This region is characterized by salt-rich soil, contributing to the Indo-Gangetic plains' status as one of the most intensively farmed areas on the planet. The rivers Beas, Chambal, Chenab, Ganga, Gomti, Indus, Ravi, Sutlej, and Yamuna crisscross the landscape, forming doabs or land tongues between their tributaries.
The concept of doabs is essential, as these land tongues extend to the meeting points of tributaries, creating distinct areas for agricultural practices. Near the rivers lie khadar land, comprised of young alluvium and prone to floods. In contrast, the bangar land, characterized by older alluvium deposited in the middle Pleistocene above the flood boundary, provides a stable foundation for agriculture.
Rice and wheat cultivation dominate the agricultural landscape of the Indo-Gangetic plains, with a rotation system in place to optimize yields. The availability of underground water sources further enhances the agricultural potential of this region. Even rural areas within the plain are densely populated, underscoring the significance of this fertile expanse.
In conclusion, the Indo-Gangetic plains stand as a testament to the intricate interplay of geography, geology, and hydrology, resulting in a highly productive and intensively farmed region crucial for sustaining the population of northern and eastern India.
