India’s vast and varied landscape is divided into distinct physiographic divisions, each with unique geological features, climate, and ecological significance. These divisions help in understanding the country’s natural diversity and regional development patterns.
Major Physiographic Divisions of India:
- The Himalayan Mountains
- Young fold mountains in the north
- Include Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Shiwaliks
- The Northern Plains
- Formed by alluvial deposits of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers
- Fertile and densely populated
- The Peninsular Plateau
- Oldest landmass, composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks
- Includes the Deccan Plateau, Central Highlands, and Chotanagpur Plateau
- The Indian Desert
- Located in western Rajasthan
- Characterized by arid climate and sand dunes
- The Coastal Plains
- Narrow strips along the eastern and western coasts
- Include deltas and estuaries
- The Islands
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal
- Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea
Physiographic Region of Odisha:
Odisha lies primarily within the Eastern Coastal Plains and the Eastern Ghats section of the Peninsular Plateau. Its terrain is diverse and can be classified into five major morphological regions:
- Odisha Coastal Plains (Utkal Plains)
- Formed by the deltas of six rivers: Mahanadi, Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, and Rushikulya
- Known as the Hexadeltaic Region or Gift of Six Rivers
- Fertile and densely populated, with Chilika Lake as a prominent feature
- Middle Mountainous and Highlands Region
- Covers about three-fourths of the state
- Includes the Eastern Ghats, with peaks like Deomali (1672 m), the highest in Odisha
- Central Plateaus
- Eroded plateaus such as the Panposh-Keonjhar-Pallahara and Nabarangpur-Jeypore plateaus
- Rich in minerals and forest cover
- Western Rolling Uplands
- Undulating terrain with elevations between 153–305 meters
- Includes regions like Rairangpur, Rourkela, and Rayagada uplands
- Major Flood Plains
- Formed by rivers like Mahanadi, Brahmani, and Baitarani
- Support agriculture and dense settlements
Conclusion:
Odisha’s physiography reflects a blend of coastal fertility, mountainous resilience, and plateau richness, making it a region of strategic importance for agriculture, mineral resources, and biodiversity.