Western Coastal Plains: Understanding the Narrower Width

The width of the Western Coastal Plains in India is significantly less compared to the Eastern Coastal Plains. This difference in width is primarily due to the underlying geological structure and the proximity of major physiographic features.

Geographical Constraints of Western Plains

The main reason the Western Coastal Plains are narrower is that they are closely bordered by the Western Ghats mountain range. Here's a breakdown:

• Proximity to Mountains: The Western Ghats run parallel and very close to the Arabian Sea coast. This mountain range acts as a physical barrier, restricting the eastward expansion of the coastal plain.
• Steep Slope: The Western Ghats have a relatively steep slope towards the west, meaning the land drops sharply towards the sea, leaving a limited area for the formation of a wide coastal plain.
• River Systems: While rivers like the Narmada and Tapti flow through this region, they form estuaries rather than large deltas, unlike the rivers on the east coast. This contributes less to the widening of the plain through sedimentation.

Comparison with Eastern Coastal Plains

In contrast, the Eastern Coastal Plains are considerably wider. This is because:

• They are bordered by the Eastern Ghats, which are generally less continuous and further inland from the Bay of Bengal compared to the Western Ghats' proximity to the Arabian Sea.
• Major peninsular rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery flow across the Eastern Coastal Plains and form extensive, fertile deltas. These deltas have built up over time, extending the coastline further east and creating much wider plains.

Therefore, the statement 'They are bordered by the Western Ghats' accurately explains why the Western Coastal Plains are narrower than their eastern counterparts.