A plateau is a high, flat landform. India’s plateau region includes the Central Highlands in the north and the vast Deccan Plateau in the south. The river Narmada roughly divides these two parts. The Deccan Plateau is bounded by the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. Many important rivers—Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri and Mahanadi—flow eastwards across the plateau and empty into the Bay of Bengal, while the Narmada and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea. Waterfalls like the Kunchikal Falls occur on plateau rivers. Large dams such as Nagarjuna Sagar provide irrigation and hydroelectric power.

Plateau soils vary. Black soil, common in parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, holds moisture and is ideal for cotton. Minerals like coal and iron ore are abundant in the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the Central Highlands, making it an important industrial belt.

To the west lies the Thar Desert—a hot, dry region with sand dunes, thorny bushes and very little rainfall. The Luni is a seasonal river here. People live near oases, keep camels, goats and sheep, and grow millets such as bajra. Traditional festivals like Teej are popular in Rajasthan, and many communities like the Banjaras are known for their nomadic lifestyle. With canals and tube-wells, wheat and mustard are also grown in some areas.

Thus, India’s plateau and desert regions are rich in minerals, energy and culture. Dams, rivers and soils support farming and industries, while the desert teaches us to use water wisely and adapt to extreme climates.

पठार ऊँचा किन्तु समतल भू-भाग होता है। भारत में पठारी क्षेत्र दो हिस्सों में बाँटा जाता है—उत्तर का सेंट्रल हाइलैण्ड्स और दक्षिण का विशाल दक्कन का पठार। इन्हें लगभग नर्मदा नदी अलग करती है। दक्कन पठार के पश्चिम में पश्चिमी घाट और पूर्व में पूर्वी घाट हैं। गोदावरी, कृष्णा, कावेरी, महानदी जैसी नदियाँ पूर्व की ओर बहकर बंगाल की खाड़ी में मिलती हैं, जबकि नर्मदा और तापी पश्चिम की ओर अरब सागर में गिरती हैं। कर्नाटक की कुंचिकल जलप्रपात वराही नदी पर है। नागरजुन सागर जैसे बाँध सिंचाई और बिजली देते हैं।

पठार की मिट्टियाँ अलग-अलग हैं। काली मिट्टी नमी रोकती है और कपास के लिए उत्तम है। छोटा नागपुर पठार कोयला, लौह-अयस्क जैसे खनिजों से भरपूर है, इसलिए यह औद्योगिक क्षेत्र है।

पश्चिम में थार मरुस्थल है—बहुत कम वर्षा, ऊँचे-नीचे बालू के टीले और कांटेदार झाड़ियाँ। यहाँ लूनी जैसी मौसमी नदी बहती है। लोग ओएसिस (जलस्रोत) के पास रहते हैं, ऊँट, बकरी, भेड़ पालते हैं और बाजरा जैसे मोटे अनाज उगाते हैं। राजस्थान के तीज जैसे उत्सव प्रसिद्ध हैं। बंजारे जैसे घुमंतू समुदाय यहाँ पाए जाते हैं। नहरों की सहायता से गेहूँ व सरसों की खेती भी होती है।

इस प्रकार पठार और मरुस्थल हमारे देश को खनिज, ऊर्जा, खेती और सांस्कृतिक विविधता प्रदान करते हैं तथा जल-संरक्षण का महत्त्व सिखाते हैं।

1) What is a plateau?

A high table-like plain with steep sides and a relatively flat top. It is higher than the land around it.

2) Name the two main parts of India’s plateau region.

The Central Highlands (including the Chota Nagpur Plateau) and the Deccan Plateau.

3) Which rivers flow westwards from the plateau?

The Narmada and the Tapi, both emptying into the Arabian Sea.

4) Why are dams important in the plateau region?

They store water for irrigation, control floods and generate hydroelectric power.

5) What is an oasis?

A fertile spot in a desert where underground water reaches the surface; date palms and small farms grow here.

6) Name two minerals from the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

Coal and iron ore (also mica, bauxite).

7) Which crops are common in the Thar Desert?

Bajra (millet), jowar, barley and pulses; with irrigation, wheat and mustard.

8) What bounds the Deccan Plateau on the west and east?

The Western Ghats on the west and the Eastern Ghats on the east.

9) Name a famous fall on a plateau river.

Kunchikal Falls on the Varahi River (Karnataka).

10) Why is life difficult in deserts?

Very low rainfall, extreme heat, scarce water and vegetation, and long distances between settlements.

1) What is a plateau?

A plateau is an elevated, flat-topped region that stands higher than the surrounding land—hence it is also called a tableland.

2) What is the significance of the Narmada and Tapi rivers in the plateau region?

They flow westwards to the Arabian Sea. The Narmada roughly divides the plateau into the Central Highlands (north) and the Deccan Plateau (south). Both rivers support dams, irrigation and hydropower.

3) What geographical feature bounds the Deccan Plateau in the west and east?

The Western Ghats on the west and the Eastern Ghats on the east.

4) Which crops are grown in the desert?

Mainly bajra (millet), jowar, barley and pulses; with canal irrigation, wheat and mustard are also grown.

5) Why is life in the desert difficult?

There is scanty rainfall, extreme heat, scarce drinking water, sandy terrain and sparse vegetation; settlements are far apart and dust storms are common.