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Coastal Plains of India

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The coastline of India measures 7516.6 km long and also covers 6100 km of mainland coastline which includes Andaman, Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. The Indian coastline touches about 13 states and Union Territories the western coast is along the Arabian Sea and the eastern coastal plains are located along the Bay of Bengal. Coastal plains in India are known for agriculture, trade, tourists, industries, fishing and salt making. A coastal plain is also known as a low-lying area and flatland, which is adjacent to the sea coast.

Coastal plains of India

Coastal plains of India

Formation of Coastal Plain

From the standpoint of geography, the narrative of India’s coastal plains and how they form is fascinating. Being part of a supercontinent called Gondwanaland was India. It existed 140 million years ago. The Indian tectonic landmass became alone as the supercontinent split. It journeyed for millions of years towards the Eurasian plate and thus joined with it. Thus, India’s regular and mostly straight coastline is the result of the Cretaceous period breakup of Gondwanaland. This not only gave rise to the coastline in the south but also to the coastal plains of India.

Coastal Plains in India

A low-lying flat expanse of land near the seashore is known as a coastal plain. A low-relief continent surrounded on one side by the sea or an ocean and on the other by hills is known as a coastal plain. As a result, they are hemmed in by the shoreline on the seaward side and the highlands on the landward side. As one travels from the sea to the highlands, the elevation of the land area gradually rises in a sequence of flat-land terraces divided by scraps or hills with altitudes ranging from 100 to 300 metres. The coastal plains of India include 2 types:

  1. Eastern coastal plains of India
  2. Western coastal plains of India

Eastern Coastal Plains

The eastern coastal lowlands span from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu, passing via Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Important rivers like Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, and Cauvery have deltas in the eastern coastal plain. Agriculturally, the deltas are exceedingly fertile and productive. The Krishna River Delta has gained the moniker “South India’s Granary” as a result of this. The eastern coast is divided into three sections-

  1. Utkal coast: The Utkal coast extends between Chilika Lake and kolleru lake, they are much wider than the western coastal plains and experience heavy rainfall.
  2. Andhra coast: They extend from Kolleru Lake and Pulicate Lake. They form basin areas in Krishna and Godavari rivers.
  3. Coromandel coast: They extend from Pulicat Lake and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu and remain dry in summers and receive rainfall in winters because of north-east monsoons.

Western Coastal Plains

From Kerala to Gujarat, they pass through Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. The western coastal plains stretch for around 1,500 kilometres with widths varying from 10 to 25 kilometres. Near the coast of Mumbai, the West Continental Shelf is at its widest. Oil is abundant in this area. The Malabar Coast is a famous tourist destination because of its gorgeous lagoons. The four portions of the western shore are as follows:

  1. Kachchh and Kathiawar coast: They are formed due to the deposition of silt by indus and covered with shallow water during monsoons and are divided into Great Rann and Little Rann.
  2. Konkan coast: They extend between Daman in the north to Goa in the South.
  3. Kanada coast: It extends from Marmagaon and Mangalore.
  4. Malabar coast: It extends from Mangalore to Kanyakumari and the coast is relatively broad.

Significance of Indian Coastlines

The significance of Indian coastlines is as follows:

  1. The coastal plains of India are largely covered by excellent soils that are ideal for agriculture.
  2. Large and small ports of Indian coastlines help in trade and investment.
  3. For coastal residents, fishing has become a necessary activity.
  4. Coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as a vast array of mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and lagoons, abound in India’s coastal plains, providing good tourism options.
  5. Indian coastal lines are one of the primary forms of transportation, and oil exchanges are conducted exclusively over the ocean channel. 
  6. India’s coastlines aid in exchanging as well as utilising such shorelines for our financial development. 
  7. The shoreline can be used to produce fish, pearls, and salt.
  8. The beach is also devoid of pollutants and can be used to saddle wind force.
  9. India advantages from a long beach front line by being located at the highest point of the Indian Sea.

FAQs on Coastal Plains of India

What are the coastal plains of India?

A coastal plain is a low-lying tract of land near the sea that is flat and low-lying. On either side of the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Coastal Plains run along the country’s western and eastern borders.

Why are the coastal plains important?

Agriculture, trade, industrial centres, tourist sites, fishing, and salt manufacture are all popular in India’s coastal regions. They provide critical hinterland services to large ports.

What happens when two tectonic plates collide with each other?

When two plates contact, it can cause bending, faulting, and volcanic activity.

What are the 4 categories of western coastal plains?

The 4 categories of western coastal plains include:

  1. Kachchh and Kathiawar coast in Gujarat
  2. Konkan coast in Maharashtra
  3. Goan coast in Karnataka
  4. Malabar coast in Kerala

How many coastal areas are there in India?

The coastal areas of India would include Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Goa, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

What are the two major divisions in India?

The two major divisions in India are western coastal plains and eastern coastal plains.


Last Updated : 22 Jan, 2024
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