Analyze the geographical distribution and agricultural significance of the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains: Statement I: The Khadar plains consist of newer alluvium deposited annually during seasonal floods, making them exceptionally fertile for intensive agriculture. Statement II: The Bhangar plains comprise older alluvium located above flood levels, often containing calcareous nodules known locally as kankar. Which of the following is correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Both statements accurately differentiate the geomorphological and pedological features of Khadar and Bhangar alluvial formations in northern India. Khadar soils are replenished every year by river silt deposition, supporting high-yield cropping systems without excessive artificial fertilization. Bhangar soils represent elevated terraces formed during past geological epochs, characterized by clayey textures mixed with calcium carbonate nodules called kankar. Understanding these depositional phases aids in regional land-use planning and soil management.