Physiography of West Bengal PDF

# **PHYSIOGRAPHY OF WEST BENGAL** The breeding ground for future administrator **Academic Association** 2, Surya Sen Street (College Street), Kolkata - 700012, Contact : 9674478644 ## **Landform of West Bengal** The landform of West Bengal can be divided into the following physiographic units:...

# **PHYSIOGRAPHY OF WEST BENGAL** The breeding ground for future administrator **Academic Association** 2, Surya Sen Street (College Street), Kolkata - 700012, Contact : 9674478644 ## **Landform of West Bengal** The landform of West Bengal can be divided into the following physiographic units: 1. **NORTHERN MOUNTAIN** 2. **WESTERN PLATEAU** 3. **THE PLAINS** ## **Northern Mountain Region** The northern mountain region includes the **Darjeeling Himalayan region**. The western plateau region includes Purulia, western part of Bardhaman, Bankura and Midnapur districts. The plain region has several subdivisions like: 1. Terai duars region 2. Northern plain 3. Ganga delta plain 4. Rarh plain 5. Sandy coastal plain 6. Sundarban plain ### **Darjeeling Himalayan Region** - Darjeeling Himalayan hill region is situated on the north-western side of the state. - This region belongs to the Eastern Himalaya range. - The entire Darjeeling district except the Siliguri subdivision and a narrow northern part of Jalpaiguri district constitutes the region. - It starts abruptly from the Terai region. - The deep gorge of Teesta River, which runs from north to south has divided this mountainous region into two parts: the Singalila range and the Darjeeling range. - The Singalila range is located along the border of Kalimpong and Nepal; it has four important peaks - Sandakfu, Falut, Sabargram and Tonglu. - Among the Himalayan ranges of this region, Singalila range hosts Sandakfu which at 3,636 metres (11,929 ft) is the highest point of West Bengal. - Also, to mention Sandakfu & Phalut are the only place in West Bengal from where Mt. Everest is visible. - The relief varies from 100 Mts. above sea level to the mighty Kanchanjungha. - Two high peaks, Tiger Hill and Ghoom are seen near the town of Darjeeling. - Darjeeling hill areas is unique from environmental Eco-perception - Many ranges branch off in different directions from Tiger Hill. - Durpindara is an important mountain in the eastern part of the mountainous region. - A few hills also occur in the Terai or Dooars region at the foot of the Himalayas. - Some remnants of the Siwaliks can be seen in the Jalpaiguri and alipuduar district, where they are known as the Buxa-Jayanti Hills. ## **Western Plateau Region** - The Western plateau and the adjoining uplands comprising the entire Purulia district, the Western partof Birbhum, Bankura, Bardhaman and West Midnapore districts. However, the Western Plateau region is a part of the Chhota Nagpur plateau and it consists of small hills commonly called Dungi or Tila. - In Purulia district, Ayodhya and Baghmundi hills are the popular hills in this region. The highest peak of the Ayodhya hill is Gorga Buru. - Moreover, some other important hills of this region are Panchet and Bhandari hills in Purulia district, Belpahari hill in West Midnapore, Mama-Bhagne and Mathurkali hills in Birbhum district and Susunia and Biharinath hills in Bankura district. - Many rivers rise from the Chotanagpur plateau area and then flow through the Western Plateau region from West to East. They travel short courses and are mostly rainfed. - In Purulia district, the region of this plateau is highly elevated in between the Kansai and Subarnarekha riversthis portion is known as **BARABHUM**. In Birbhum district, a popular hot water spring located at Bakreswar. - It is a dissected plateau. It is the oldest part of the state and made up of hard rock. ## **The Plain** This region extends from Siliguri district till to the coast of Bay of Bengal. It is the largest region in West Bengal and it makes the state a fertile agricultural state. This plain is divided into 2 regions the Plains of North Bengal and the Plains of South Bengal. ### **Plains of North Bengal** This region extends from Siliguri to the North bank of the river Ganges, Malda district. This region is divided into 2 sub-divisions: Terai Duars regionand Northern Plain. 1. **Terai-duars region:** This region basically made up of sand, gravels and pebbles which are brought down from the Himalayan by the rivers like Teesta, Torsa, Raidak, Jaldhaka and several other small tributaries. The height of the Terai region is around 80 to 100 m. The Teesta river divides the Plains of North Bengal into two parts: - The Western part is known as Terai and - The Eastern part is known as Duars. The duars region is further subdivided into 03 regions: - Siliguri or Western duars, - middle or Jalpaiguri duars and - Eastern or Alipur duars. The duars region extends to the Siliguri division of Darjeeling district, North and Eastern parts of Jalpaiguri district (except Buxa-Jayanti) and the upper region of Cooch Behar district. 2. **Northern Plain:** This region extends from the Southern end of the Terai region to the Northern bank of Ganges. This region is further divided into 03 categories. - **Diara:** The area of new alluvium brought by Kalindi river is known as Diara. It covers Western part of Malda district. - **Barendrabhumi:** A substantial part in the South of West Dinajpur and in the North-East of Malda is built up with old alluvium which is called as Barind or Barendrabhumi. - **Tal:** The lakes or wetlands created by floodwater is known as Tals. Numerous Tals are found between the areas of Mahananda and Kalindi rivers because of the flood-prone zone. ### **Plains of South Bengal** The lower course of the Ganga river creates the delta plain which basically form the entire plains of South Bengal. Due to this reason, these plains are very fertile in nature. This region is classified into 4 sub-divisions: - **Ganga Delta Plain:** The river Ganges form the delta which is further categorized into 03 distinct delta plains i.e., old delta, mature delta, and active delta. 1. **Moribund Delta Plain:** Nadia and Eastern part of Murshidabad districts are situated in the old delta region of Moribund delta plain. In this region, the delta is completely formed by the erosion and deposition of numerous rivers and small canals. This region is locally known as 'Bagdi'. 2. **Mature Delta Plain:** Hooghly, Howrah, parts of Bardhaman, and East Midnapore districts are situated in the mature delta region. This delta region is also completely formed but it is newer than the old delta plain. 3. **Active Delta Plain:** Eastern part of South 24-Parganas and the Southern part of North 24-Parganas districts are situated in the active delta region where the formation of the delta is an ongoing process. 4. **New Islands like Purbasha** are usually formed to the southern part of this delta region. - **Rahr Plain:** This plain usually located between the delta plain and the Western plateau region. This region is formed mainly by the silt deposition carried out by the tributaries of Ajay, Damodar, Mayurakashi and Rupnarayan rivers. The soil of the Rahr Plain is red in colour due to the rivers flow over the Western plateau that constitutes of laterite soil. This region is situated approx. 50 to 100 m above the sea level and covers the districts like Eastern Bankura, Bardhaman, Birbhum, Western Murshidabad, and West Midnapore. This region is locally known as 'Rangamati 'which means 'red soil'. - **Sandy Coastal Plain:** This plain lies along the coastal strip of Bay of Bengal in East Midnapore. This region is usually constituted of sand and mud deposition by the rivers and wind. Many sand dunes have been formed in this region. Some common sea beaches in the sandy coastal plains are Digha, Shankarpur, and Kanthi or Contai. - **Sundarban Plain:** This Plain covers the Southern part of North and South 24-Parganas, especially Sundarbans. The main features of this region are the presence of Alluvial low plains, muddy and saline water, numerous tributaries, many islands and estuaries. The Sundarbans plain is an extremely low-lying area beside the Bay of Bengal and it is covered with mangrove forest known as Sundarbans. However, it is the largest Mangrove forest in the world. The name is given to this plain due to the abundant presence of 'Sundari', reddish coloured mangrove trees. Sundarbans Plain is named after reddish colour trees 'Sundari 'that are the main trees found in this area. It was considered as a World Heritage Site after declaration by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1987. Many tidal rivers such as Bartala, Saptamukhi, Jamina, Malta, and Gosaba flow through this region. ## **Map of West Bengal Physiographic Regions** [Insert Map Here] **Key:** - Northern Mountain Region - Terai Region - Northern Plain - Western Plateau Region - Western Plain Fringe - Rarh Plain - Southern Plain Region - Sundarban Region - Coastal Fringe