The Coastal Plains of India are narrow stretches of land located between the edge of the Peninsular Plateau and the coastline of India.
They form one of the major physiographic divisions of the country.
India has a coastline of about 11,098.81 Km.
The coastal plains are important because they support ports, fishing, agriculture, tourism, inland navigation, lagoons, deltas and coastal settlements.
Table of Contents
Formation Of India’s Coastal Plains
The coastline of India is linked with the faulting of Gondwanaland during the Cretaceous period.
This geological process helped form India’s coastal margins.
The coastal plains were later shaped by:
- Marine erosion
- River deposition
- Alluvial filling
- Sea-level changes
- Delta formation
- Estuarine processes
Divisions Of Coastal Plains Of India
On the basis of location and active geomorphological processes, India’s coastal plains are divided into two parts:
- Western Coastal Plains of India
- Eastern Coastal Plains of India
These two coastal plains meet at the southernmost tip of India at Kanyakumari.
Western Coastal Plains Of India
The Western Coastal Plains lie between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
They are generally narrow and run along the western coast of India.
Nature Of Western Coast
The Western Coast is generally a submerged coastline.
Because of this, it provides comparatively better natural conditions for the development of ports and harbours.
This is one reason why important ports are located along the western coast.
Subdivisions Of Western Coastal Plains
The Western Coastal Plains can be divided into the following parts:
- Kutch Peninsula
- Kathiawar Peninsula
- Gujarat Plain
- Konkan Plain
- Karnataka Coastal Plain
- Kerala Plain
Kutch Peninsula
The Kutch Peninsula spreads over north-western Gujarat.
Formation
It was originally an island surrounded by seas and lagoons.
Later, these surrounding seas and lagoons were filled by sediments brought by the Indus River, which once flowed through this area.
Topography
The region is associated with salt-soaked plains and dry landscapes.
It is connected with the Great Rann and the Little Rann.
Great Rann
The Great Rann is a salt-soaked plain lying north of Kutch.
It is completely flat and rises only a few metres above sea level.
During the rainy season, it is flooded by rivers such as:
- Banas
- Luni
Little Rann
The Little Rann is the southern continuation of the Great Rann.
It lies on the coast and south-east of Kutch.
Kathiawar Peninsula
The Kathiawar Peninsula lies south of the Kutch Peninsula.
It is surrounded by the Little Rann on the eastern side and the Nal Basin on the north-eastern side.
Important Hills
The region consists of:
- Mandova Hills
- Girnar Hills
- Gir Range
The Girnar Hills form the highest point of this region.
The Gir Range lies in the southern part of the Kathiawar Peninsula and is famous for the Gir lion.
Topography
The Kathiawar region has an arid and semi-arid landscape because of:
- Scarcity of rainfall
- Work of wind
- Coastal sand dunes
- Sandy plains
- Rocky hills
The area includes coastal sand dunes and sandy plains, interposed with rocky hills.
Gujarat Plain
The Gujarat Plain lies east of the Kutch and Kathiawar peninsulas.
It spreads over the southern part of Gujarat and the coastal areas of the Gulf of Khambhat.
Formation
The Gujarat Plain has been formed by the deposition of rivers such as:
- Narmada
- Tapi
- Mahi
- Sabarmati
Slope And Elevation
The average slope is towards the west and south-west.
The region has low elevation, though some parts exceed 150 metres in height.
Topography
The Gujarat Plain is divided into two parts:
- Eastern Part – composed of sediments, fertile and suitable for agriculture.
- Coastal Part – covered by wind-blown loess, or heaps of sand, creating a semi-arid landscape.
Konkan Plain
The Konkan Plain lies to the south of the Gujarat Plain.
It extends from Daman to Goa for a distance of about 500 Km.
Width
Its average width varies from 50 to 80 Km.
Topography
The Konkan Plain shows some features of marine erosion.
Important features include:
- Cliffs
- Shoals
- Reefs
- Islands in the Arabian Sea
This coast is narrow, scenic and important for ports, fishing and settlement.
Karnataka Coastal Plain
The Karnataka Coastal Plain lies south of the Konkan Plain.
It extends from Goa to Mangalore.
Width
Its average width is 30 to 50 Km.
Near Mangalore, it reaches a maximum width of about 70 Km.
Topography
In the central part, several spurs descend from the Western Ghats across the plain.
A spur is a lateral ridge of land projecting from a mountain or hill range.
Important Waterfalls
Two important waterfalls are located in this region:
- Kunchikal Falls – 455 metres high, on the Varahi River.
- Jog Falls – 253 metres high, on the Sharavati River.
Kunchikal Falls is mentioned as the highest waterfall in India in the chapter.
Kerala Plain
The Kerala Plain is also known as the Malabar Plain.
It is located between Mangalore and Kanyakumari.
It stretches for about 500 Km.
Width And Elevation
The Kerala Plain is much wider than the Karnataka Coastal Plain.
It is a low-lying plain.
Backwaters Of Kerala
The backwaters of Kerala are known as Kayals.
Kayals are shallow lagoons or inlets of the sea that run parallel to the coastline.
They are important for:
- Fishing
- Inland navigation
- Tourism
- Local transport
- Cultural events
Vembanad Lake
The largest backwater lake is Vembanad Lake.
Punnamada Kayal
Punnamada Kayal in Kerala is famous because the Nehru Trophy Vallamkali, or boat race, is held there every year.
Eastern Coastal Plains Of India
The Eastern Coastal Plains lie between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
They extend from the Subarnarekha River near the West Bengal-Odisha border to Kanyakumari.
Width
The average width of the Eastern Coastal Plains is about 120 Km.
They are wider than the Western Coastal Plains.
Formation
The Eastern Coastal Plains have been formed mainly by alluvial fillings deposited by rivers such as:
- Mahanadi
- Godavari
- Krishna
- Cauvery
These rivers form large deltas along the eastern coast.
Nature Of Eastern Coast
The Eastern Coast is an emergent coastline.
It does not provide many natural conditions for the development of ports.
However, several artificial ports have been developed.
Important Ports On Eastern Coast
Important ports include:
- Chennai Port – Tamil Nadu
- Visakhapatnam Port – Andhra Pradesh
- Paradip Port – Odisha
- Tuticorin Port – Tamil Nadu
- Kolkata Port – West Bengal
- Haldia Port – West Bengal
Subdivisions Of Eastern Coastal Plains
The Eastern Coastal Plains are divided into:
- Utkal Plain
- Andhra Plain
- Tamil Nadu Plain
Utkal Plain
The Utkal Plain comprises the coastal regions of Odisha.
It includes the Mahanadi Delta.
Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake is located in this region.
It is an important coastal lagoon and one of the most important physical features of the Utkal coast.
Andhra Plain
The Andhra Plain lies south of the Utkal Plain.
It extends up to Pulicat Lake.
Pulicat Lake And Sriharikota
Pulicat Lake has been barred by a long sand spit called Sriharikota Island.
Sriharikota is the launch station of ISRO.
Main Feature
The chief characteristic of the Andhra Plain is delta formation by the rivers:
- Godavari
- Krishna
Nature Of Coast
The Andhra coast is a straight coast and lacks good harbours.
This makes development difficult in some parts.
However, there are important exceptions such as:
- Visakhapatnam
- Machilipatnam
Kolleru Lake
Kolleru Lake is situated in the Andhra Plain.
Tamil Nadu Plain
The Tamil Nadu Plain stretches from Pulicat Lake to Kanyakumari along the coast of Tamil Nadu.
It extends for about 675 Km.
This coast is also known as the Coromandel Coast.
Cauvery Delta
The most important feature of the Tamil Nadu Plain is the Cauvery Delta.
In this region, the plain becomes about 130 Km wide.
The fertile soil and large-scale irrigation facilities have made the Cauvery Delta the granary of South India.
Western Coastal Plains Vs Eastern Coastal Plains
| Basis | Western Coastal Plains | Eastern Coastal Plains |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea | Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal |
| Width | Narrower | Wider |
| Coastline nature | Submerged coastline | Emergent coastline |
| Rivers | Short and swift west-flowing rivers | Large east-flowing rivers |
| Delta formation | Limited | Large deltas |
| Port conditions | Better natural harbours | Fewer natural harbours |
| Major features | Estuaries, cliffs, backwaters, lagoons | Deltas, lagoons, broad plains |
| Examples | Konkan, Karnataka Coast, Malabar | Utkal, Andhra, Tamil Nadu / Coromandel |
Important Coastal Landforms
Estuary
An estuary is a place where freshwater from rivers mixes with salty seawater.
It forms a transition zone between river environments and marine environments.
Examples of estuarine environments include:
- River mouths
- Coastal bays
- Tidal marshes
- Lagoons
- Deltas
Lagoon
A lagoon is a shallow water body separated from the sea by a barrier such as a sand spit or sandbar.
Kerala’s Kayals and Chilika Lake are important examples of lagoon-type coastal features.
Sand Spit
A sand spit is a long narrow deposit of sand extending into a water body.
Sriharikota Island near Pulicat Lake is mentioned as a long sand spit.
Delta
A delta is formed when a river deposits sediments near its mouth before entering the sea.
The Eastern Coastal Plains have large deltas formed by rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery.
Importance Of Coastal Plains Of India
The coastal plains are extremely important in India’s physical and economic geography.
They support:
- Ports and harbours
- Fishing activities
- Agriculture
- Salt production
- Tourism
- Inland navigation
- Backwater transport
- Coastal settlements
- Deltaic farming
- Maritime trade
Agricultural Importance
The Eastern Coastal Plains are especially important for agriculture because of fertile deltas.
The Cauvery Delta is known as the granary of South India.
The Western Coastal Plains support crops, coconut cultivation, fishing and plantation-related activities in nearby regions.
Port And Trade Importance
The Western Coast has better natural port conditions due to its submerged coastline.
The Eastern Coast has fewer natural harbours, but several artificial ports have been developed.
Tourism Importance
Important tourism features include:
- Kerala backwaters
- Vembanad Lake
- Punnamada Kayal
- Konkan coastline
- Coastal lagoons
- Beaches and estuaries
Important Facts At A Glance
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| India’s coastline | About 11,098.81 Km |
| Coastal plains lie between | Peninsular Plateau edge and coastline |
| Origin | Faulting of Gondwanaland during Cretaceous period |
| Main divisions | Western Coastal Plains and Eastern Coastal Plains |
| Meeting point | Kanyakumari |
| Western coast nature | Submerged coastline |
| Eastern coast nature | Emergent coastline |
| Western Coastal Plains subdivisions | Kutch, Kathiawar, Gujarat, Konkan, Karnataka, Kerala |
| Eastern Coastal Plains subdivisions | Utkal, Andhra, Tamil Nadu |
| Konkan Plain extent | Daman to Goa |
| Karnataka Coastal Plain extent | Goa to Mangalore |
| Kerala Plain | Malabar Plain |
| Kerala backwaters | Kayals |
| Largest Kerala backwater | Vembanad Lake |
| Eastern Coastal Plains extent | Subarnarekha River to Kanyakumari |
| Eastern Coastal Plains average width | About 120 Km |
| Major delta-forming rivers | Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery |
| Utkal Plain | Odisha coast and Mahanadi Delta |
| Andhra Plain | Godavari-Krishna delta region |
| Tamil Nadu Plain | Pulicat Lake to Kanyakumari |
| Tamil Nadu coast | Coromandel Coast |
| Cauvery Delta | Granary of South India |
FAQs On Coastal Plains Of India
What are the Coastal Plains of India?
The Coastal Plains of India are narrow strips of land between the edge of the Peninsular Plateau and the coastline of India.
What are the two divisions of Coastal Plains of India?
They are divided into Western Coastal Plains and Eastern Coastal Plains.
Where do the Western and Eastern Coastal Plains meet?
They meet at Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India.
What is the length of India’s coastline?
India’s coastline is about 11,098.81 Km.
How were India’s coastal plains formed?
They are linked with the faulting of Gondwanaland during the Cretaceous period and were later shaped by marine erosion and river deposition.
Where are the Western Coastal Plains located?
The Western Coastal Plains lie between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
What type of coastline is the Western Coast?
The Western Coast is generally a submerged coastline.
Why does the Western Coast have better ports?
The submerged nature of the Western Coast provides better natural conditions for ports and harbours.
What are the subdivisions of Western Coastal Plains?
They include Kutch Peninsula, Kathiawar Peninsula, Gujarat Plain, Konkan Plain, Karnataka Coastal Plain and Kerala Plain.
Where is the Kutch Peninsula located?
The Kutch Peninsula spreads over north-western Gujarat.
What is the Great Rann?
The Great Rann is a salt-soaked plain lying north of Kutch.
What is the Little Rann?
The Little Rann is the southern continuation of the Great Rann and lies south-east of Kutch.
Where is the Kathiawar Peninsula located?
The Kathiawar Peninsula lies south of the Kutch Peninsula.
Which hills form the highest point of Kathiawar?
The Girnar Hills form the highest point of the Kathiawar region.
What is Gir Range famous for?
The Gir Range is famous for the Gir lion.
Which rivers formed the Gujarat Plain?
The Gujarat Plain was formed by deposits of the Narmada, Tapi, Mahi and Sabarmati rivers.
Where is the Konkan Plain located?
The Konkan Plain extends from Daman to Goa.
What is the width of the Konkan Plain?
Its average width varies from 50 to 80 Km.
Where is the Karnataka Coastal Plain located?
It lies south of the Konkan Plain and extends from Goa to Mangalore.
Which are the important waterfalls of the Karnataka Coastal Plain?
Kunchikal Falls on the Varahi River and Jog Falls on the Sharavati River are important waterfalls.
What is the Kerala Plain also called?
The Kerala Plain is also called the Malabar Plain.
What are Kayals?
Kayals are the backwaters of Kerala. They are shallow lagoons or inlets of the sea running parallel to the coastline.
Which is the largest backwater lake of Kerala?
Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater lake of Kerala.
Where is Punnamada Kayal located?
Punnamada Kayal is located in Kerala and is famous for the Nehru Trophy Vallamkali boat race.
Where are the Eastern Coastal Plains located?
The Eastern Coastal Plains lie between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal.
What is the extent of the Eastern Coastal Plains?
They extend from the Subarnarekha River near the West Bengal-Odisha border to Kanyakumari.
What is the average width of the Eastern Coastal Plains?
The average width is about 120 Km.
Why are the Eastern Coastal Plains wider than the Western Coastal Plains?
They are wider because they have been formed by large alluvial deposits from rivers such as Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery.
What type of coastline is the Eastern Coast?
The Eastern Coast is an emergent coastline.
Why does the Eastern Coast have fewer natural ports?
The emergent nature of the coast does not provide many natural conditions for harbour development.
What are the subdivisions of Eastern Coastal Plains?
They are Utkal Plain, Andhra Plain and Tamil Nadu Plain.
What is the Utkal Plain?
The Utkal Plain includes the coastal regions of Odisha and the Mahanadi Delta.
Which lake is located in the Utkal Plain?
Chilika Lake is located in the Utkal Plain.
What is the Andhra Plain known for?
The Andhra Plain is known for delta formation by the Godavari and Krishna rivers.
Where is Kolleru Lake located?
Kolleru Lake is located in the Andhra Plain.
What is Sriharikota Island?
Sriharikota Island is a long sand spit near Pulicat Lake and is the launch station of ISRO.
What is the Tamil Nadu coast known as?
The Tamil Nadu coast is known as the Coromandel Coast.
Why is the Cauvery Delta called the granary of South India?
The Cauvery Delta has fertile soil and large-scale irrigation facilities, making it highly productive for agriculture.
Last Moment Exam Cheat Sheet – Coastal Plains Of India
- Coastal Plains – Narrow coastal strip between Peninsular Plateau and coastline.
- India’s coastline – About 11,098.81 Km.
- Coastline origin – Faulting of Gondwanaland during Cretaceous period.
- Two divisions – Western Coastal Plains and Eastern Coastal Plains.
- Both coastal plains meet at – Kanyakumari.
- Western Coastal Plains – Between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea.
- Western Coast nature – Submerged coastline.
- Western Coast advantage – Better natural ports and harbours.
- Western Coastal subdivisions – Kutch Peninsula, Kathiawar Peninsula, Gujarat Plain, Konkan Plain, Karnataka Coastal Plain, Kerala Plain.
- Kutch Peninsula – Originally an island surrounded by seas and lagoons.
- Great Rann – Salt-soaked plain north of Kutch.
- Little Rann – Southern continuation of Great Rann.
- Kathiawar Peninsula – South of Kutch Peninsula.
- Girnar Hills – Highest point of Kathiawar region.
- Gir Range – Famous for Gir lion.
- Gujarat Plain – Formed by Narmada, Tapi, Mahi and Sabarmati deposits.
- Gujarat Plain slope – West and south-west.
- Konkan Plain – Daman to Goa, about 500 Km.
- Konkan width – 50 to 80 Km.
- Karnataka Coast – Goa to Mangalore.
- Karnataka Coast width – 30 to 50 Km, maximum 70 Km near Mangalore.
- Kunchikal Falls – 455 metres, on Varahi River.
- Jog Falls – 253 metres, on Sharavati River.
- Kerala Plain – Also called Malabar Plain.
- Kerala Plain extent – Mangalore to Kanyakumari, about 500 Km.
- Kerala backwaters – Kayals.
- Largest Kayal – Vembanad Lake.
- Punnamada Kayal – Nehru Trophy Vallamkali boat race.
- Eastern Coastal Plains – Between Eastern Ghats and Bay of Bengal.
- Eastern Coastal extent – Subarnarekha River to Kanyakumari.
- Eastern Coastal average width – 120 Km.
- Eastern Coast nature – Emergent coastline.
- Eastern Coast formation – Alluvial filling by Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery.
- Eastern Coastal subdivisions – Utkal Plain, Andhra Plain, Tamil Nadu Plain.
- Utkal Plain – Odisha coast including Mahanadi Delta.
- Chilika Lake – Located in Utkal Plain.
- Andhra Plain – South of Utkal Plain up to Pulicat Lake.
- Sriharikota Island – Sand spit near Pulicat Lake; ISRO launch station.
- Andhra Plain feature – Godavari and Krishna delta formation.
- Kolleru Lake – Located in Andhra Plain.
- Tamil Nadu Plain – Pulicat Lake to Kanyakumari, about 675 Km.
- Tamil Nadu coast – Coromandel Coast.
- Cauvery Delta – Granary of South India.