Central Highlands, Location, Regions, Rivers, Biodiversity

The Central Highlands represent a transitional zone between the Peninsular Plateau and the northern plains, marked by old, eroded landforms and structural hills. This region forms the northern boundary of the Peninsular Plateau and shows a clear slope from southwest to northeast. It is wider in the west and becomes narrower towards the east, extending into Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand and further into the Chotanagpur Plateau. It also forms a significant bio-geographic zone with diverse physical and ecological characteristics shaped over long geological time.

Central Highlands Features

The Central Highlands display varied relief with plateaus, hills and river valleys, shaped by ancient geological processes and erosion over millions of years. The key features of the highlands has been highlighted below:

• Relief and Elevation: The region lies between 700 and 1,000 metres above mean sea level with a general slope towards north and northeast, clearly reflected in river flow directions and drainage patterns.
• Location and Structural Boundaries: It is bordered by the Aravalli Range in the northwest and the Vindhyan Range to the south, while the Satpura Range lies further south forming a parallel system.
• Width Variation: The highlands are broader in the western part, particularly across the Malwa Plateau and gradually narrow towards the east as they extend into smaller plateaus.
• Relict Mountain System: These highlands are examples of relict mountains, meaning they are highly eroded ancient mountains that now exist as discontinuous and forested hill ranges.
• Geological Composition: The region contains metamorphic rocks such as marble, slate and gneiss, indicating long geological history and transformation through pressure and temperature changes.

Central Highlands Regions

The Central Highlands consist of several sub regions including mountain ranges, plateaus and uplands that together form a complex physiographic unit.

• Aravalli Range: Extending about 800 km from Delhi to near Ahmedabad, this ancient fold mountain is highly eroded, with Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) as its highest peak. It acts as a barrier against desert expansion.
• Malwa Plateau: Located in western Madhya Pradesh and southeastern Rajasthan, it has an average elevation of 450-500 metres, fertile black soil and slopes northward, supporting agriculture and drainage systems.
• Vindhyan Range: Stretching about 1,050 km from Gujarat to Bihar, it forms the southern boundary of the highlands and consists mainly of sandstone formations with escarpments and stepped plateaus.
• Bundelkhand Upland: Situated between the Yamuna River and the Vindhyan scarplands, this region has rocky terrain, thin soils and represents eastern extension of the Central Highlands.
• Baghelkhand Region: Located further east, this area forms another extension with plateau features and links the Central Highlands to the Chotanagpur Plateau.
• Chotanagpur Plateau: Covering about 65,000 sq km, it is rich in minerals like coal, iron ore and bauxite, with stepped topography and major river valleys like the Damodar.
• Satpura Range and Maikal Hills: These run parallel to the Vindhyas and form a connecting link through Maikal hills, with dense forests covering around 34% of the region across multiple states.

‹ ›

Central Highlands River System

The river systems of the Central Highlands reflect the slope and structural pattern of the region, with most rivers flowing from southwest to northeast.

• Rivers like Chambal, Betwa, Ken and Sindh flow from southwest to northeast, indicating the general slope of the land towards the Ganga basin.
• Most tributaries of the Yamuna originate in the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges, contributing significantly to the northern river system.
• The Chambal River and its tributaries drain large parts of the western highlands, with Banas being the only major tributary flowing westward from the Aravallis.
• Important rivers such as Narmada, Tapti, Sone, Wainganga and Wardha have their headwaters in this region, making it hydrologically significant.
• The Chotanagpur Plateau is drained by the Damodar River, forming a rift valley system and supporting major coalfields in its basin.

Central Highlands Challenges

The Central Highlands face several environmental and socio-economic challenges due to natural conditions and human activities.

• Deforestation: Increasing human activities and resource extraction have led to loss of forest cover, especially in mineral rich regions like the Chotanagpur Plateau.
• Soil Erosion: The rocky terrain and seasonal rainfall contribute to soil erosion, reducing agricultural productivity in upland areas like Bundelkhand.
• Water Scarcity: Despite river systems, uneven rainfall and poor water management create seasonal water shortages in many parts of the region.
• Mining Pressure: Intensive mining of coal, iron ore and bauxite leads to land degradation, pollution and displacement of local populations.
• Tribal Issues: The region has a large tribal population facing socio-economic challenges, including displacement and limited access to development resources.

Central Highlands Significance

The Central Highlands hold immense geographical, ecological and economic importance due to their location and resource base.

• Bio-geographic Zone: It is recognized as a distinct bio-geographic region with diverse ecosystems, linking northern plains with the Peninsular Plateau.
• Geological Importance: The presence of ancient metamorphic rocks indicates long geological evolution and provides insights into Earth’s structural history.
• Natural Barrier: The Aravalli Range acts as a barrier preventing the expansion of the Thar Desert towards the fertile northern plains.
• Mineral Resources: Regions like the Chotanagpur Plateau are rich in minerals, making them important for industrial development and energy production.
• Hydrological Role: The origin of major rivers supports irrigation, agriculture and water supply across central and northern India.

Central Highlands Biodiversity

The Central Highlands support diverse flora and fauna due to their tropical climate and forest cover.

• Forest Types: The eastern part is dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta) forests, while the western part mainly has Teak (Tectona grandis), along with mixed dry deciduous vegetation.
• Plant Diversity: Other important species include Butea, Acacia, Bombax and Boswellia, along with shrubs like Ziziphus and Prosopis adapted to dry conditions.
• Wildlife Habitat: Dense forests provide habitat for various mammals and birds, making it an ecologically significant zone for biodiversity conservation.
• Climate Influence: The tropical monsoon climate with rainfall mainly from June to August supports seasonal vegetation growth and wildlife diversity.

Difference between Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau

The Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau differ in location, structure and physical characteristics despite both being parts of the Peninsular Plateau.

• Location: The Central Highlands lie north of the Narmada River, while the Deccan Plateau is located south of it, covering a larger area of southern India.
• Relief Features: Central Highlands consist of plateaus and relict mountains, whereas the Deccan Plateau is more uniform with extensive lava formations known as Deccan Traps.
• Geological Structure: The Central Highlands show metamorphic rocks and ancient erosion surfaces, while the Deccan Plateau is largely composed of basaltic lava flows.
• Drainage Pattern: Rivers in the Central Highlands flow towards the Ganga system, while Deccan rivers like Godavari and Krishna flow eastward to the Bay of Bengal.
• Extent and Shape: The Central Highlands are narrower and discontinuous, whereas the Deccan Plateau is broader, more continuous and covers a larger geographical area.