एमपी में न‍र्मदा और ताप्ती के बीच स्थित पर्वत, मध्य प्रदेश के पहाड़

Study Notes

Exploring the Mountain Ranges of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, the central region of India, is home to a variety of mountain ranges that shape the state's unique geography and natural history. Three significant ranges—Vindhya, Satpura, and Maikala—offer a rich landscape that contributes to the state's diverse ecosystem and serves as natural borders.

The Vindhya Range

The Vindhya Range, running roughly parallel to the Narmada River, is the southern escarpment of the Malwa Plateau. This complex, discontinuous chain of mountain ridges and hill ranges extends approximately 675 miles across Madhya Pradesh, abutting the Ganges River valley near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The Vindhya Range is regarded as the border between northern and peninsular India and gives rise to the main southern tributaries of the Ganges-Yamuna system.

The Satpura Range

The Satpura Range is a range of hills in central India, rising in eastern Gujarat. It parallels the Vindhya Range to the north and divides the Indian Subcontinent into the Indo-Gangetic plain and the Deccan. The range is situated in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, with the Narmada River originating from its northern end and running through its depression. The Satpura Range is also home to Satpura National Park, a renowned protected area.

The Maikala Range

The Maikala Range, also known as Amarkantak or the Amarkantak Plateau, is located at the eastern end of the Satpura Range. At 1,124 meters, Amarkantak is the highest point in the range. This region serves as the source for several rivers, including the Narmada, Kalisindh, Parvati, Betwa, and Ken. The Maikala Range further divides into two branches: the Kaimur Range, running north of the Son River into western Bihar state, and the southern branch, running between the upper reaches of the Son and Narmada rivers.

Rivers and Ecosystems

The rivers that originate or flow through the mountain ranges of Madhya Pradesh include the Narmada, Tapti, Kalisindh, Parvati, Betwa, Ken, and Wainganga. These rivers play a vital role in the region's ecosystem, supporting diverse flora and fauna. The mountain ranges themselves are home to unique ecosystems such as moist deciduous forests and dry deciduous forests, each providing a habitat for various species, including tiger, leopard, wild boar, muntjac deer, gaur, chital deer, sambar, and rhesus macaques.

Madhya Pradesh's mountain ranges offer a wealth of natural beauty and ecological value. These ranges are not only essential geographical features but also play a critical role in the state's identity and the Indian Subcontinent's landscape.

Description

Explore the Vindhya, Satpura, and Maikala mountain ranges in Madhya Pradesh and discover their significance in shaping the state's geography and ecosystem. Learn about the rivers that originate from these ranges and their importance in supporting diverse flora and fauna.