COASTAL PLAINS

Published on 31 Jan 2025

India's Coastal Plains flank the eastern and western shores, enriched by fertile alluvial soil. These plains support agriculture and are home to major cities, vital for trade and commerce.

Formation of coastal plains 

• Tectonic plate activity: The west coast of India is a passive margin formed due to the separation of the Indian subcontinent from the supercontinent Gondwana. The East Coast, however, is an active margin, influenced by the convergent boundary between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

• Rift valleys and faulting: Rift valleys and faulting played a role in the creation of certain coastal features.

• Example: The Western Ghats were formed through faulting and uplift associated with the rifting process that separated the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Gondwana.

• Sedimentation: Coastal plains are formed by the deposition of sediments brought by rivers and marine processes.

• Example: Alluvial plains of the eastern coast, especially in the deltas of rivers like the Ganges and Godavari, are a result of continuous sedimentation.

• Erosion and deposition: Coastal erosion and deposition processes contribute to the shaping of the coastal landscape.

• Example: Coastal features like beaches, sandbars, and dunes are formed through the continuous processes of erosion and deposition.

Characteristics of India’s Coastal Plains 

• Flat Topography and Alluvial Deposits: The coastal plains of India are generally flat, with elevations ranging from a few meters to around 300 meters above sea level.

• Example: The coastal plains of Andhra Pradesh, known as the Andhra Coastal Plains, are characterized by their flat topography and fertile alluvial soils.

• Extensive Deltas and Lagoons: Rivers form deltas which are often accompanied by lagoons and water bodies separated from the sea by sandbars or reefs.

• Example:  Chilika Lake is located within the Mahanadi Delta.

• Subducting and emerging: Coast showing features of emergent and submerging patterns.

• Example: Eastern coastal plains are emergent whereas western coastal plains are submerged in nature.

• Changing broadness: Eastern and western coastal plains have different broadness.

• Example: The eastern coast is broader than the western coast.

Classification of Indian Coastal Plains

Coastal plains can be broadly classified into eastern and western coastal plains.

Significance of coastal plains

• Agriculture: The fertile soils and favourable climate of the coastal plains make them ideal for the cultivation of diverse crops.

• Example: Coastal states are major producers of rice, coconut, cashew etc. 

• Natural resources: Presence of rare and strategic minerals and renewable energy resources

• Example: Monazite and Thorium sands of coastal Kerala, Offshore wind energy etc. 

• Fisheries: The coastal plains are home to a rich marine ecosystem, supporting a thriving fishing industry. 

• Example: Fishing industry in Kerala and West Bengal 

• Industry and ports: The western coast is ideal for ports and hosts major industrial centres like Mumbai, Chennai etc. 

• Example: Mumbai port, Kandla port of GJ etc. 

• Biodiversity: The coastal plains support a diverse range of ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and lagoons.

• Example: Sundarbans mangrove forest of West Bengal and Coral reefs of Lakshadweep 

• Tourism:  The coastal plains are a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from India and abroad. 

• Example: Beaches of Goa, Kerala backwaters etc.

Tags:
Geography

Keywords:
COASTAL PLAINS India physiographic divisions Formation of coastal plains Characteristics of India’s Coastal Plains Classification of Indian Coastal Plains Western coastal plain Eastern coastal plain Significance of coastal plains

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Salient Features of Indian Geography