The Peninsular plateau is like a big table made of old, strong rocks from the past. It was formed when the Gondwana land broke apart and drifted..
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| Image Credit - Shutterstock |
Peninsular Plateau - Indian Peninsular Plateau
The Peninsular plateau is like a big table made of old, strong rocks from
the past. It was formed when the Gondwana land broke apart and drifted,
making it one of the oldest pieces of land. This plateau has wide valleys
and rounded hills. There are two main parts: the Central Highlands and the
Deccan Plateau.
The Central Highlands are in the north, covering a big part of the Malwa
plateau and defined by the Satpura range in the south and the Aravallis in
the northwest. The Vindhya range is formed between them. Towards the west,
the sandy and stony desert of Rajasthan blends with the plateau.
The Deccan Plateau is in the south, below the Narmada River. It's like a
triangle with the Western Ghats on the west and the Eastern Ghats on the
east. This plateau is made of old rocks like crystalline, igneous, and
metamorphic ones. The Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau together make
up this fascinating Peninsular plateau.
Importance Of Peninsular Plateau In India
The Peninsular Plateau is super important for India because it has a lot of
valuable stuff that helps the country grow and develop. This big piece of
land is like a treasure chest for India's economy. Here's why:
| Importance of Peninsular Plateau in India | |
|---|---|
| 1. Rich in Metals | Valuable metals like iron, bauxite, mica, gold, and copper are found in mines such as Kolar, Bailadila, Singhbum, and Korba. |
| 2. Coal Mines | The plateau hosts crucial coal mines, including Ranighanj, Singareni, and Jharia, which play a key role in India's industrial growth. |
| 3. Hydroelectric Power | The plateau's rugged terrain and rivers provide ideal conditions for hydroelectric plants like Srisailam and Koyna, contributing significantly to India's energy needs. |
| 4. Diverse Nature | The Western and Eastern Ghats surrounding the plateau boast diverse flora and fauna, including valuable timber woods like Teak, Sandalwood, and Rosewood. The Nilambur teak, with a GI designation, is globally recognized. |
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| Image Credit - civilsdaily.com |
Peninsular Plateau - Characteristic
The Peninsular Plateau is like a big piece of land in India, covering an
area of about 16 lakh square kilometres. It's not flat but goes up and down,
with an average height of 600-900 meters above sea level. Imagine it like a
huge playground with hills and valleys.
Most rivers on this plateau flow from the west to the east because the land
tilts that way. However, the Narmada and Tapti rivers are a bit rebellious –
they go from east to west, creating a unique path.
Here's a cool fact: the Peninsular Plateau is super old, one of the
oldest pieces of land in the world! It's like a collection of smaller
plateaus, hills, rivers, and valleys, making it quite interesting. The hills
are all round, and the valleys are wide and shallow, giving it a unique
look.
Think of the Peninsular Plateau as a big puzzle with two main sections, and
each of them has smaller pieces that fit together to create this awesome
landscape.
2 Main Indian Peninsular Plateau
There are two really important plateaus in India:
| Crucial Plateaus | Boundaries |
|---|---|
| The Malwa Plateau | Imagine a piece of land surrounded by different things - on the south, you have the Vindhya Range, on the west, there's the Aravalli Range, and on the east, you're bordered by the Chota Nagpur Plateau. It's like a special area in the middle!. |
| The Deccan Plateau | Now, picture another plateau but with different surroundings. On the north, you have the Satpura Range, on the west, there are the hills of the Western Ghats, and on the east, you're flanked by the hills of the Eastern Ghats. It's like being in the middle of these cool natural formations. |
FAQs
Q: What is the Peninsular Plateau?
A: The Peninsular Plateau is a large tableland in India, primarily
composed of old crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. It is
considered one of the oldest landmasses.
Q: How big is the Peninsular Plateau?
A: The Peninsular Plateau covers an area of around 16 lakh square
kilometres.
Q: What is the average elevation of the Peninsular Plateau?
A: On average, the plateau rises 600-900 meters above sea level.
Q: Which rivers flow through the Peninsular Plateau?
A: Most rivers on the plateau flow from west to east due to the
overall slope. However, exceptions include the Narmada and Tapti rivers,
which flow in a fissure from east to west.
Q: What are the main characteristics of the Peninsular Plateau?
A: The plateau is characterized by rounded hills, vast shallow
valleys, and a rugged topography. It comprises several smaller plateaus,
hill ranges, river basins, and valleys.
Q: What are the two major sections of the Peninsular Plateau?
A: The Peninsular Plateau is divided into two main sections: the
Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
Q: What valuable resources are found on the Peninsular Plateau?
A: The plateau is rich in valuable resources, including metal
deposits such as iron, bauxite, mica, gold, and copper. It is also home to
significant coal mines.
Q: Why is the Peninsular Plateau important for hydroelectric power?
A: The plateau's rough topography and rivers make it suitable for
the installation of hydroelectric plants. Examples include the Srisailam
and Koyna hydropower plants.
Q: What are some famous plateaus within the Peninsular Plateau?
A: The Malwa Plateau and the Deccan Plateau are two crucial
plateaus within the larger Peninsular Plateau.
Q: Why is the flora and fauna around the Peninsular Plateau
significant?
A: The Western and Eastern Ghats, defining the plateau's
boundaries, host diverse flora and fauna, including valuable timber woods
like Teak, Sandalwood, and Rosewood. The Nilambur teak is globally
recognized.
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