India’s Coastal Plains: Western vs Eastern Coastline

India’s vast coastline is home to diverse landscapes and ecosystems, divided into two main regions: the Western Coastal Plains and the Eastern Coastal Plains. These coastal plains play a crucial role in India’s geography and economy, offering unique natural features and opportunities for development.

An Overview of India’s Coastal Plains

A. Western Coastal Plains

• Submerged Coast: These plains are submerged coastal plains because of which is a narrow belt and have natural conditions favourable for port development.

• • Notably, the ancient city of Dwaraka on the west coast is submerged.
• Geographic Extent: From Gujarat to Kerala: These plains stretch from the Gujarat coast in the north to the Kerala coast in the south.
  • Divisions: Kachchh and Kathiawar coasts (Gujarat), Konkan coast (Maharashtra), Goan coast (Karnataka), and Malabar coast (Kerala).

• Kachchh and Kathiawar Coast: 

• • • The Kutch Peninsula was once an island surrounded by seas and lagoons, but later filled with material from the Indus River.
    • The Great Rann, and its southern extension, the Little Rann, are located on the seashore and southeast of Kachchh.
    • South of Kachchh lies the Kathiawar Peninsula, with small streams flowing from the highland in the Mandav Hills‘ center in all directions.
    • Gujarat Plain: Lies to East of Kachchh and Kathiawar slopes toward the west and southwest. 
      • The Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, and Sabarmati rivers formed the plain.
      • Although the eastern portion of this plain is suitable for farming, most of it is covered in wind-blown loess towards the ocean.
  • Konkan Plain: Spread from Daman to Goa, 50 to 80 km wide, located south of the Gujarat plain. 
  • Karnataka Coastal Plain: Spread from Goa to Mangalore, a narrow plain, with a width of 30 to 50 kilometres. 
    • The Western Ghats’ streams sometimes descend along precipitous hillsides to create waterfalls. 
    • When the Sharavati flows down such a steep slope, it creates the 271 m-tall Gersoppa (Jog) Falls, a spectacular waterfall.
  • Kerala Plain: also known as the Malabar Plain, stretches between Mangalore and Kanyakumari. 
    • It is wider than the plain of Karnataka and sits at a lower elevation. 
    • Along the Kerala coast, distinctive features include lagoons, backwaters, and spits.
  • Important natural ports:  Kandla, Mazagaon, JLN port Navha Sheva, Marmagao, Mangalore, Cochin, etc..
  • Topographical Variation: The western coastal plains narrow in the middle and broaden towards the north and south.

• Rivers do not form deltas. 

• Kayals: Malabar coast is known for its “Kayals” (backwaters) used for fishing and tourism.
  • The Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala.

Eastern Coastal Plains 

• Emergent Coast: These plains are  emergent coasts and are broader than western coastal plains. 
  • Because of this, there are fewer ports and harbors along this coast.
• Division of Eastern Coast: The eastern coastal plains include the Northern Circar in the northern part and the Coromandel Coast in the southern part
• Delta Formation: Rivers flowing eastward into the Bay of Bengal form well-developed deltas, including the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri deltas.
• Lake Chilika (Odisha), along the eastern coast, is the largest saltwater lake in India lying south of the Mahanadi delta.
• Extended Continental Shelf: Due to its emergent nature and extended continental shelf there are fewer ports and harbours along this coast, making it a challenge for port development.

Conclusion

India’s coastal plains, both western and eastern, show a blend of natural beauty and economic potential. While the western coast boasts submerged plains ideal for port development and scenic backwaters, the eastern coast features emergent coasts with rich deltas but fewer port opportunities. Despite their differences, both regions contribute significantly to India’s cultural heritage, economy, and environmental diversity.

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