Which one of the following is the narrow belt parallel to the Shiwalik foothills where streams and rivers coming from the mountains deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders?
Bhabar
Understanding the Northern Plains and the Bhabar Belt
The question asks us to identify a specific geographic division within the Northern Plains of India, located parallel to the Shiwalik foothills. This region is characterized by the deposition of heavy materials like rocks and boulders brought down by streams and rivers from the mountains. Let's examine the options provided to find the correct answer.
Analyzing the Regions of the Northern Plains
The vast Northern Plains of India can be broadly divided into different regions based on the depositional features brought down by rivers. Moving from the mountains towards the peninsular plateau, these belts are:
- Bhabar
- Tarai
- Bhangar
- Khadar
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at the characteristics of each option:
- Tarai: Located south of the Bhabar belt. It is a wet, marshy, and densely forested region. Streams that disappear in the Bhabar re-emerge here. This description does not match the deposition of heavy rocks and boulders.
- Bhangar: This represents the older alluvial plains. These are generally found above the level of the floodplains and are not flooded annually. The soil is often calcareous and contains Kankar nodules. While it is an alluvial deposit, it is not the initial belt at the foothills characterized by coarse materials like boulders.
- Bhabar: This is a narrow belt, typically 8 to 16 km wide, running parallel to the slope of the Shiwalik foothills. Rivers and streams descending from the mountains deposit heavy materials such as pebbles and boulders in this belt. Due to the porous nature of this deposit, smaller streams disappear underground. This description perfectly matches the characteristics given in the question.
- Khadar: These are the newer alluvial plains, formed by fresh deposits of silt brought by rivers during annual floods. Khadar lands are generally very fertile. This region is located downstream from the Bhabar and Tarai belts and is characterized by fine alluvial soil, not rocks and boulders.
Identifying the Correct Belt
Based on the analysis, the belt parallel to the Shiwalik foothills where streams deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders is the Bhabar belt. This region is known for its coarse alluvial fans where the rivers lose energy quickly and drop larger sediments.
| Region | Location | Characteristics | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhabar | Parallel to Shiwaliks, 8-16 km wide | Streams disappear, porous | Pebbles, boulders, coarse sediments |
| Tarai | South of Bhabar | Wet, marshy, forested, streams re-emerge | Fine silt, clay (deposited as streams slow down) |
| Bhangar | Older alluvial plain, above flood level | Less fertile (compared to Khadar), Kankar nodules | Older alluvium |
| Khadar | Newer alluvial plain, floodplains | Very fertile, flooded annually | Newer alluvium, fine silt, clay |
Therefore, the Bhabar belt is the region that fits the description provided in the question.
Revision Table: Northern Plains Geography
| Belt | Width | Sediment Size | Stream Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhabar | 8-16 km | Coarse (boulders, pebbles) | Streams disappear |
| Tarai | 15-30 km | Fine (silt, clay) | Streams re-emerge |
| Bhangar | Varies (older plain) | Older alluvium, Kankar | Above flood level |
| Khadar | Varies (floodplain) | Newer alluvium | Flooded annually |
Additional Information: Importance of Bhabar Region
The Bhabar belt, while not suitable for extensive agriculture due to the presence of large boulders and porous soil, is important for several reasons. The underground water table is quite high, and larger rivers often manage to flow on the surface. This region transitions into the Tarai belt, where the groundwater resurfaces, supporting dense vegetation and wildlife. The Bhabar region's primary characteristic is the significant deposition of coarse material as rivers exit the steeper slopes of the Shiwaliks and enter the flatter plains, leading to a rapid loss of carrying capacity.
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