{"id":59406,"date":"2026-04-11T15:50:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T10:20:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=59406"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:34:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T12:04:17","slug":"peninsular-plateau","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/peninsular-plateau\/","title":{"rendered":"Peninsular Plateau of India, Map, Major Divisions, Major Rivers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Peninsular Plateau of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, also known as the <\/span><b>Indian Shield<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is one of the oldest and most stable landmasses on Earth. It forms the core of the Indian subcontinent and dominates the geographical landscape of central and southern India.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its geological antiquity, mineral wealth, diverse physiographic divisions, and ecological significance make it an essential topic for <\/span><b>UPSC Prelims, Mains, and optional Geography<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The plateau has shaped India\u2019s river systems, agriculture, settlement patterns, industrial development, and biodiversity over millions of years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Peninsular Plateau of India Features<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Peninsular Plateau stands out due to its unique terrain, geological stability, and mineral-rich composition.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plateau covers <\/span><b>nearly 16 lakh sq km<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, representing <\/span><b>almost 50% of India\u2019s total landmass<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is composed primarily of <\/span><b>crystalline, igneous, and metamorphic rocks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, dating back to the <\/span><b>Archean and Proterozoic ages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (over 2.5 billion years old).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plateau is roughly <\/span><b>triangular in shape<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, drained by both east-flowing and west-flowing rivers, creating deep valleys, escarpments, and basins.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Peninsular Plateau is bounded by the Aravalli Range, Vindhya, Satpura, Barmer, and Rajmahal Hills in the north; the Western Ghats in the west; and the Eastern Ghats in the east.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It consists of numerous plateaus, uplands, hill ranges, forest belts, and fertile valleys formed by tectonic movements and prolonged erosion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region is rich in <\/span><b>minerals such as iron ore, coal, manganese, bauxite, gold, mica<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it India\u2019s \u201cmineral heartland.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Geological Formation of the Peninsular Plateau<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The geological evolution of the Peninsular Plateau is linked to tectonic activity, volcanic events, and the breakup of ancient continents.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part of the <\/span><b>Gondwana supercontinent<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the plateau separated due to continental drift about <\/span><b>135 million years ago<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The foundation of the plateau is formed by some of the <\/span><b>world\u2019s oldest rocks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, comparable to those found in Western Australia and South Africa.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Large igneous eruptions known as <\/span><b>Deccan Trap volcanic events<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (around 60-68 million years ago) formed extensive basaltic layers, especially in Maharashtra.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lineaments, faults, and rift valleys such as the <\/span><b>Narmada-Son Lineament<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Narmada-Tapti Rift Valley<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are prominent tectonic features.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weathering, denudation, and fluvial erosion have shaped its current topography over millions of years.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Major Divisions of Peninsular Plateau of India<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Peninsular Plateau is divided into several physiographic units, each with distinct geological structure, river systems, soil types, ecology, and agricultural patterns. Below are the Major Divisions of the Peninsular Plateau of India<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-59407\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/current-affairs-wp-uploads\/2025\/08\/pasted-image-0-14.webp\" alt=\"Peninsular Plateau of India Map\" width=\"456\" height=\"451\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>Marwar Upland<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Marwar Upland lies in the northwestern part of the Peninsular Plateau and forms a transitional zone between the Thar Desert and the Aravalli Range. It is characterized by semi-arid climate, rocky terrain, and ancient residual hills.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Rajasthan, mainly Jodhpur, Pali, Nagaur, Barmer regions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Topography:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rocky uplands, pediments, and residual hills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elevation ranges between 250-500 m.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Rivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal rivers such as Luni, Sukri, and Bandi.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Geological Composition:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Predominantly Aravalli schists, gneisses, quartzite, and granite.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Flora &amp; Fauna:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xerophytic vegetation &#8211; Khejri, Acacia, Ber, thorn scrub.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wildlife: Chinkara, Desert fox, Blackbuck.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Major Crops:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bajra, Jowar, Pulses, Mustard, and limited wheat in irrigated areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">States Covered: Rajasthan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Central Highlands<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Central Highlands form the northern segment of the Peninsular Plateau, extending from the Aravallis to the eastern part of Madhya Pradesh. They include important plateaus and river basins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, parts of Uttar Pradesh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Topography:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elevation 300-600 m, dissected plateaus.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slopes eastward towards the Gangetic plains.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Rivers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chambal, Banas, Sind, Betwa, Ken.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Geological Composition:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Granite-gneiss, Vindhyan sedimentary rocks (sandstone, shale, limestone).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Flora &amp; Fauna:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry deciduous forest &#8211; Teak, Salai, Palash.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fauna: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leopard, Nilgai, Sloth bear.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Major Crops:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wheat, Soybean, Mustard, Pulses, Cotton (western part).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>States Covered:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Bundelkhand Upland<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bundelkhand Upland is a rugged region between the Yamuna and Narmada river systems known for granite outcrops, uneven terrain, and low water availability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Southern Uttar Pradesh &amp; Northern Madhya Pradesh (Jhansi, Banda, Chhatarpur).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Topography:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Highly eroded upland, rocky plateau, inselbergs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Average elevation 300-400 m.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Rivers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Betwa, Dhasan, Ken, Sonar.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Geological Composition:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ancient Bundelkhand granites, gneisses, quartzite.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Flora &amp; Fauna:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thorn &amp; dry deciduous vegetation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wildlife includes Nilgai, Wild Boar, Indian Wolf.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Major Crops:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gram, Wheat, Bajra, Urad, limited paddy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>States Covered:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Malwa Plateau<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Malwa Plateau is a fertile volcanic region with black soil, forming an important agricultural zone in central India.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Madhya Pradesh &amp; southeastern Rajasthan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Topography:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flat to gently undulating plateau, elevation 500-600 m.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Northern boundary marked by Chambal ravines.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Rivers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Western Drainage (towards the Arabian Sea):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Includes Narmada, Tapi, and Mahi, which flow westward and drain into the <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/arabian-sea\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Arabian Sea<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eastern Drainage (towards the Bay of Bengal): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Includes Chambal and Betwa, which flow northeast and join the Yamuna, ultimately draining into the Bay of Bengal.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Geological Composition:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basaltic lava flows from Deccan volcanism, which formed Black cotton soil.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Flora &amp; Fauna:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry deciduous forest &#8211; Teak, Butea, Neem.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fauna: Chital, Indian fox, Hyena.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Major Crops:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soybean (largest producer), Wheat, Cotton, Sugarcane, Maize.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>States Covered<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Baghelkhand Plateau<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Baghelkhand Plateau lies in eastern Madhya Pradesh and is known for rugged topography, dense forest cover, and important mineral reserves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Eastern Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh &amp; northern Chhattisgarh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Topography:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dissected plateau, steep escarpments, elevation 300-600 m.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Rivers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Son, and Mahanadi<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Geological Composition:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vindhyan &amp; Gondwana sediments, sandstone, limestone, shales.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Flora &amp; Fauna:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moist deciduous forests &#8211; Sal, Bamboo.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animals: Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Indian Bison.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Major Crops:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paddy, Wheat, Pulses, minor millets.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>States Covered:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Praedesh, Chhattisgarh.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Chotanagpur Plateau<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chotanagpur Plateau is India&#8217;s mineral heartland, rich in coal, iron ore, mica, bauxite, and copper. It supports major industrial belts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jharkhand, northern Odisha, eastern Chhattisgarh, West Bengal border.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Topography:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uplands, valleys, and highest peak Parasnath (1365 m).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Palamu uplands.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Rivers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Damodar, Subarnarekha, Koel, Sankh.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Geological Composition:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Archaean granites and Gondwana coalfields.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Flora &amp; Fauna:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tropical dry &amp; moist deciduous &#8211; Sal, Bamboo, Mahua.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fauna: Elephant, Leopard, Sloth Bear.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Major Crops:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paddy, Maize, Oilseeds, Pulses.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>States Covered:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Meghalaya Plateau<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Meghalaya Plateau is a detached fragment of the Peninsular block, famous for heavy rainfall, limestone caves, and biodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Location: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meghalaya (Khasi, Garo, Jaintia Hills).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Topography:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High hills (avg. 1200-1500 m), deep valleys.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receives highest rainfall at Mawsynram &amp; Cherrapunji.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Rivers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Umngot, Myntdu, Simsang, seasonal streams.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Geological Composition:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gneiss, schist, sandstone, limestone, rich cave systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Flora &amp; Fauna:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evergreen forests &#8211; Orchids, Pine, Bamboo.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fauna: Hoolock gibbon, Clouded leopard, Elephants.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Major Crops:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jhum crops, Potatoes, Turmeric, Oranges, spices.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>States Covered: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meghalaya.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Deccan Plateau<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Deccan Plateau is the largest and most prominent part of the Peninsular Plateau, covering almost the entire southern part of India. It is a volcanic plateau formed primarily during the <\/span><b>Cretaceous period <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">due to massive basaltic lava flows, commonly known as the <\/span><b>Deccan Traps<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Location<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bounded by the Western Ghats on the west, Eastern Ghats on the east, and the Satpura and Vindhya ranges in the north.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Topography<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Average elevation ranges from 500 to 1000 meters above sea level.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broad, gently sloping plateau surface, mostly towards the east.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Ghats form a steep escarpment with narrow coastal plains; Eastern Ghats are discontinuous and eroded.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contains hill ranges like Balaghat, Nilgiri, Anaimalai, and Cardamom Hills.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Geological Composition<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dominated by basaltic lava flows of the Deccan Traps.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some areas with granite, gneiss, schist, and laterite formations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rich in minerals: iron ore, manganese, bauxite, and limestone.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Rivers and Drainage<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">East-flowing rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Tungabhadra, Bhima, Pennar (drain into Bay of Bengal).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">West-flowing rivers: Some short rivers along Western Ghats, e.g., Mandovi, Sharavathi (drain into Arabian Sea).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides hydropower potential at dams like Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Tungabhadra.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Soil and Agriculture<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Black soil (Regur): Ideal for cotton cultivation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red and laterite soils: Support millets, pulses, oilseeds.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alluvial soils along river valleys: Rice and sugarcane.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/major-crops-of-india\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Major crops<\/strong><\/a>: Cotton, Jowar, Ragi, Groundnut, Sugarcane, Paddy, Millets.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Horticulture: Coffee, Rubber, Spices (especially in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Flora and Fauna<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry and moist deciduous forests in plateau areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Ghats: Biodiversity hotspot with tropical evergreen forests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wildlife includes Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Sloth Bear.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Economic Significance<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Agriculture:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Major cotton, sugarcane, and food grain-producing region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Minerals:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Iron ore (Karnataka, Goa), Manganese (Maharashtra, Karnataka), Bauxite (Karnataka, Odisha).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>States Covered: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Major Hillls of Peninsular Plateau of India<\/b><\/h2>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/current-affairs-wp-uploads\/2025\/12\/Artboard-1.webp\" alt=\"Major Hillls of Peninsular Plateau of India\" title=\"Major Hillls of Peninsular Plateau of India\" class=\"my-image my-image-size-full my-image-align-none\" style=\"width: auto; height: 442px;\" \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Peninsular Plateau of India consists of several ancient hill ranges that influence river systems, climate, and biodiversity. These hills include both continuous ranges like the Western Ghats and discontinuous ranges like the Eastern Ghats, along with isolated highlands across central and southern India.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 96.3914%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 95.36%;\" colspan=\"4\"><b>Major Hillls of Peninsular Plateau of India<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 11.2224%;\"><b>Hill Range<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 27.8557%;\"><b>Location \/ States<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 26.6131%;\"><b>Highest Peak<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 29.6688%;\"><b>Significance<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aravalli Hills<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rajasthan, Delhi<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guru Shikhar (1,722 m)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oldest fold mountains; influence desert ecology<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vindhya Range<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1,100 m<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural divide between north &amp; south India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Satpura Range<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dhupgarh (1,350 m)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source of Narmada river; rich forests<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Western Ghats<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anamudi (2,695 m)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UNESCO Heritage Site; biodiversity hotspot<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eastern Ghats<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jindhagada or Arma Konda (1,690 m, Araku Valley)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discontinuous hills; many rivers originate<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nilgiri Hills<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doddabetta (2,637 m)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hill station &amp; tourism; rich flora &amp; fauna<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anaimalai Hills<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamil Nadu, Kerala<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anamudi (2,695 m)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coffee plantations; wildlife habitats<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cardamom Hills<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kerala<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Cardamom (1,670 m)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spices cultivation; tropical forests<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 11.2224%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meghalaya Hills<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 27.8557%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meghalaya (Khasi, Garo, Jaintia Hills)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 26.6131%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shillong Peak (1,965 m)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 29.6688%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wettest region; unique biodiversity<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Mineral Resources of the Peninsular Plateau<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Peninsular Plateau is rich in <\/span><b>metallic, non-metallic, and fuel minerals<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> due to its ancient geological formations like <\/span><b>Archaean rocks, Deccan Traps, and Gondwana sediments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These minerals are crucial for India\u2019s <\/span><b>industrial growth, energy production, and infrastructure development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Chotanagpur Plateau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Coal, iron, mica, copper.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Malwa &amp; Bundelkhand Plateaus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Limestone, bauxite, some iron ore.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Karnataka Plateau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Gold, manganese, bauxite, granite.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 64.4585%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"text-align: center; width: 108.352%;\" colspan=\"2\"><b>Mineral Resources of the Peninsular Plateau<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 26.146%;\"><b>Mineral<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 82.2055%;\"><b>Major Producing States<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Iron Ore<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Goa<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Manganese<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Copper<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jharkhand (Singhbhum), Rajasthan (Khetri)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Bauxite<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand, Gujarat<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Limestone<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Coal<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Gold<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Karnataka (Kolar, Hutti)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Mica<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Graphite<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Granite &amp; Marble<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rajasthan, Karnataka<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Diamond<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madhya Pradesh (Panna)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 26.146%;\">\n<p><b>Gemstones<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 82.2055%;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Economic Significance of the Peninsular Plateau<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fertile soils like <\/span><b>black cotton soil<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and alluvial soils support <\/span><b>cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, millets, and oilseeds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rivers of the plateau provide <\/span><b>irrigation through dams and canals<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, supporting agriculture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rich in <\/span><b>iron, manganese, bauxite, copper, coal, mica, limestone, and gold<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it a mineral hub.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mineral resources have led to the growth of <\/span><b>steel plants, cement factories, and mining-based industries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plateau forests provide <\/span><b>timber, medicinal plants, and other forest products<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Western and Eastern Ghats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> host biodiversity hotspots, contributing to <\/span><b>eco-tourism and research<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rivers are suitable for <\/span><b>hydroelectric power projects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, e.g., Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Coal deposits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha support thermal power plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hill stations, rivers, waterfalls, and scenic plateaus attract <\/span><b>tourism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Environmental Issues and Challenges<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Deforestation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; India\u2019s <\/span><b>forest cover on the plateau is around 21-23%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, lower than the national average in some states. Western Ghats and Chotanagpur forests have lost <\/span><b>10-15% of original forest cover<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the past two decades due to logging, mining, and urban expansion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Soil Erosion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Over <\/span><b>35% of Bundelkhand and Malwa plateau areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are prone to soil erosion due to overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable farming.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Water Scarcity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Western plateau regions like <\/span><b>Marwar and parts of Telangana<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> receive less than <\/span><b>500-800 mm annual rainfall<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, leading to recurrent droughts and low groundwater levels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Mining Impacts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh account for <\/span><b>over 40% of India\u2019s coal production<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, causing land degradation, deforestation, and siltation in rivers like Damodar.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Biodiversity Loss<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Western Ghats are a <\/span><b>UNESCO World Heritage site<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, yet nearly <\/span><b>150 species are critically endangered<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including the lion-tailed macaque and Malabar civet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Air and Water Pollution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Industrial regions in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh contribute to <\/span><b>high levels of suspended particulate matter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>heavy metal contamination in rivers like Brahmani and Mahanadi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Climate Change Effects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Plateau areas have recorded <\/span><b>temperature rise of 0.6-0.8\u00b0C over the last 50 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, impacting agriculture (e.g., reduced yields of millets, pulses) and increasing drought frequency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Invasive Species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Plants like <\/span><b>Lantana camara<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have invaded <\/span><b>over 20% of degraded forest areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, affecting local flora.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Landslides and Flooding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Western Ghats and Meghalaya Hills receive <\/span><b>annual rainfall exceeding 2,500-11,000 mm<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, causing frequent landslides and flash floods during monsoon season.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Way Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Afforestation and Forest Management:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Increase forest cover in degraded areas; India\u2019s forest cover is <\/span><b>21.7%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, lower than the ideal <\/span><b>33%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, e.g., <\/span><b>Western Ghats restoration projects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Soil and Water Conservation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Adopt <\/span><b>watershed management and rainwater harvesting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; Bundelkhand has implemented <\/span><b>Jaiv Krishi practices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to reduce erosion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sustainable Mining Practices:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Enforce <\/span><b>eco-friendly mining and land reclamation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, e.g., <\/span><b>coal mining in Jharkhand and Odisha<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is being regulated under the Mine Environment &amp; Safety Act.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Biodiversity Protection:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Strengthen protected areas; the <\/span><b>Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> conserves endemic species like <\/span><b>lion-tailed macaque and Malabar civet<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Climate Change Adaptation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Promote <\/span><b>drought-resistant crops and water-efficient irrigation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, e.g., Telangana\u2019s <\/span><b>micro-irrigation schemes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reduce water stress during erratic monsoons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pollution Control Measures:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Implement industrial emission and effluent regulations; e.g., <\/span><b>Odisha\u2019s steel belt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now follows stricter <\/span><b>CPCB standards<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peninsular Plateau Major Divisions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Peninsular Plateau can be divided into three major divisions:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deccan Plateau<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The boundaries of Deccan Plateau are- Western Ghats in the west, Eastern Ghats in the East\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Satpura, Maikal Range and Mahadeo Hills in the North and extends in the south from the Narmada River.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Deccan plateau is a result of volcanic activity, forming horizontal layers of solidified lava and a distinct trap structure.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The plateau is spread across an area of over 5,00,000 sq. km with an average elevation of 600m.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The highest point is marked at Doddabetta Peak, Tamil Nadu.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The major rivers in the Deccan Plateau are Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri flowing west to east.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The climate is usually tropical, hot and dry summers, accompanied by mild winters with an average rainfall of 600 mm.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crops grown are usually rice, sorghum, cotton, tobacco and spices.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Central Highlands<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Central Highlands have an elevation of 700-1,000m having a slope from north to northeast. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The boundaries are aravalli range in the west, satpura range in the north, rajmahal hills in the east and chotanagpur plateau in the south.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The central highlands are wider in the west and narrow in the east and extend towards Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand in the east.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The desert extension reaches Jaisalmer, covered by barchans and sand ridges.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The presence of metamorphic rocks can be found in the form of rocks like marble, slate and gneiss.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vindhya and the Kaimur Ranges are a source of Yamuna tributaries and the Banas river is an important tributary of Chambal rising from the Aravallis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Northeastern Plateau\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Northeastern Plateau is formed because of the northeastern drift of the Indian Plate during Himalayan formation, creating the Malda Gap between Rajmahal Hills and Meghalaya Plateau, filled by river deposits.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The area extends in Meghalaya, Karbi- Anglong Plateau and North Cachar Hills.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The hill ranges include Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills from west to east.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Kopili river separates Mikir, Regma and Barail Hills from Meghalaya Plateau.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The northeastern plateau receives a heavy southwest monsoon rainfall and is highly eroded on the surface.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Check the Peninsular Plateau of India with its divisions, geological features, major rivers, crops, climate and the states it spans from Deccan to Northeast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":59353,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[2178],"class_list":{"0":"post-59406","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-peninsular-plateau","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59406"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90801,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59406\/revisions\/90801"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}