Question

Explain in brief about Bhabar, Bhangar, Khadar, and Terai.

Answer 1

Hint: Bhabar, Bhangar, Khadar, and Terai are the names given to the different types of plains where humans have settled and accommodated themselves over a period of time.

Complete answer: The names in the question are the different parts of the northern plains that lie between the Northern Mountains and the Deccan Plateau. The details of these plains are given as under:
The Bhabar plains are located in the immediate foothills of the Northern Mountains and stretch from the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to Assam in the northeast. It has vast deposits of gravel and large sediment deposits which have come from the glacial rivers originating in the Himalayas. It is not good for the production of food crops but can be highly beneficial for certain cash crops. Generally the vegetation found here comprises trees with large roots.
The Bhangar soils are present in the alluvial tracts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. It has a very rich content of nutrients and is suitable for the growth of food as well as cash crops. The soil also has high humus content and lies in the regions that are not flooded by the rivers often. A notable feature of this type of plain area is the presence of calcium carbonate particles called kankar.
The Khadar plains are formed due to the recent deposits of alluvium from the rivers. It mostly has clay, silt and sand and receives fresh deposits of sediments every year. Such plains are suitable for the cultivation of sugarcane and cotton.
The plains lying south of the Bhabar tract are called the Terai Plains which is of marshy nature. It has a huge growth of forests and is also rich in humus content. crops such as wheat and rice are extensively cultivated in this tract.

Note: Most of the food crops in India are grown in the region filled with either of the four types of plains of the Northern plains. Hence, this region is known as the food belt of India.