1. Introduction
- The Peninsular Plateau is the oldest landmass of India, formed due to the breakup of the Gondwana land (~250 million years ago).
- It is rich in minerals, forests, and biodiversity, making it economically significant.
- The plateau is triangular in shape and is bounded by the Himalayas to the north, the Western Ghats to the west, and the Eastern Ghats to the east.
📌 Fact: The Peninsular Plateau covers nearly 50% of India’s total land area.
2. Location and Extent
- Total Area: ~16 lakh sq. km
- States Covered: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, parts of West Bengal and Gujarat.
- Boundaries:
✔ North – Indo-Gangetic Plains
✔ West – Western Ghats
✔ East – Eastern Ghats
✔ South – Indian Ocean
📌 Fact: The plateau is mostly made of hard igneous and metamorphic rocks.
3. Divisions of the Peninsular Plateau
The Peninsular Plateau is divided into two major sections:
| Plateau | Features | States Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Central Highlands | Lies north of the Narmada River, has fertile black soil. | Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand |
| Deccan Plateau | Lies south of the Narmada River, rich in minerals, sloping towards the east. | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu |
📌 Fact: The Deccan Plateau is tilted towards the east, making most rivers flow eastward.
4. Important Plateaus within the Peninsular Plateau
| Plateau Name | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Malwa Plateau | MP, Rajasthan | Black soil, known for soybean and cotton farming |
| Bundelkhand Plateau | UP, MP | Rocky terrain, drought-prone |
| Baghelkhand Plateau | MP, Chhattisgarh | Forest-covered, mineral-rich |
| Chotanagpur Plateau | Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal | Rich in minerals (coal, iron, mica) |
| Deccan Plateau | Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP, TN | Largest plateau, volcanic origin |
📌 Fact: Chotanagpur Plateau is known as the “Storehouse of Minerals” in India.
5. Western Ghats vs Eastern Ghats
| Feature | Western Ghats | Eastern Ghats |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Along the Arabian Sea | Along the Bay of Bengal |
| Elevation | Higher (900–1600 m) | Lower (600 m avg.) |
| Continuity | Continuous mountain range | Discontinuous, broken hills |
| Rivers | Source of west-flowing rivers | Many east-flowing rivers form deltas |
| Rainfall | High rainfall (monsoon winds hit first) | Moderate rainfall |
| Famous Hills | Nilgiri, Annamalai, Cardamom Hills | Mahendragiri, Nallamala Hills |
📌 Fact: The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their rich biodiversity.
6. Rivers of the Peninsular Plateau
The plateau is drained by two types of rivers:
| River Type | Examples | Flow Direction |
|---|---|---|
| East-flowing rivers | Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi | Drain into the Bay of Bengal |
| West-flowing rivers | Narmada, Tapi | Drain into the Arabian Sea |
📌 Fact: Godavari (1,465 km) is the longest river of the Peninsular Plateau.
7. Importance of the Peninsular Plateau
A. Rich in Minerals & Industries 💰
✔ Chotanagpur Plateau – Coal, iron, mica.
✔ Deccan Plateau – Manganese, bauxite.
B. Agriculture 🌾
✔ Black soil in Deccan Plateau – Ideal for cotton farming.
✔ Red and laterite soils – Suitable for millets and pulses.
C. Biodiversity & National Parks 🌳🦅
✔ Western Ghats – Evergreen forests, tiger reserves (Periyar, Bandipur).
✔ Eastern Ghats – Dry forests, wildlife sanctuaries.
D. Climate Influence 🌧️
✔ Controls monsoon winds, leading to high rainfall in the Western Ghats.
📌 Fact: The Peninsular Plateau plays a key role in India’s industrial and agricultural economy.
8. Challenges of the Peninsular Plateau
A. Soil Erosion & Deforestation 🌲
❌ Overgrazing and deforestation reduce soil fertility.
❌ Unscientific mining damages land quality.
B. Water Scarcity 💧
❌ Seasonal rivers depend on monsoon rains.
❌ Drought-prone areas in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Rajasthan.
C. Natural Disasters 🌪️
❌ Droughts and floods due to irregular rainfall.
📌 Fact: Vidarbha (Maharashtra) faces frequent droughts due to erratic monsoons.
9. MCQs on the Peninsular Plateau
1. Which is the oldest landmass of India?
a) Himalayas
b) Indo-Gangetic Plains
c) Peninsular Plateau
d) Western Ghats
Answer: c) Peninsular Plateau
2. Which plateau is known as the “Storehouse of Minerals”?
a) Deccan Plateau
b) Malwa Plateau
c) Chotanagpur Plateau
d) Bundelkhand Plateau
Answer: c) Chotanagpur Plateau
3. The highest peak of the Peninsular Plateau is?
a) Anamudi
b) Nilgiri Hills
c) Cardamom Hills
d) Dhauladhar
Answer: a) Anamudi (2,695m, Kerala)
4. Which river is the longest in the Peninsular Plateau?
a) Krishna
b) Godavari
c) Mahanadi
d) Narmada
Answer: b) Godavari (1,465 km)
5. Which mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
a) Aravalli
b) Western Ghats
c) Eastern Ghats
d) Vindhya
Answer: b) Western Ghats
10. Short Answer Questions
1. Name the two major divisions of the Peninsular Plateau.
✔ Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau.
2. Which rivers of the Peninsular Plateau drain into the Arabian Sea?
✔ Narmada and Tapi.
3. Which soil type is dominant in the Deccan Plateau?
✔ Black soil (ideal for cotton farming).
4. Why do the Western Ghats receive more rainfall than the Eastern Ghats?
✔ They block the southwest monsoon winds.
5. Name a major national park in the Peninsular Plateau.
✔ Bandipur National Park (Karnataka).
11. Conclusion
The Peninsular Plateau is a stable, mineral-rich region, supporting agriculture, industries, and biodiversity. While soil erosion, water scarcity, and deforestation are challenges, sustainable development can ensure long-term benefits.
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