What is the low marshy land at the foothills of the Himalayas called?
a) Terai
b) Khadar
c) Bhangar
d) Bhabar
Answer: a) Terai
Explanation
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Terai: A low-lying, damp, and marshy region located immediately south of the Bhabar belt along the foothills of the Himalayas.
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Characteristics: In this region, underground streams re-emerge to the surface, creating a wet, swampy, and thickly forested landscape with rich biodiversity. Due to extensive land reclamation over the decades, large parts of the Terai have been converted into agricultural land.
Overview of Other Options
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b) Khadar: The newer, younger alluvial soil deposited by rivers in floodplains during annual floods; highly fertile and renewed every year.
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c) Bhangar: The older alluvial soil located above the flood plains; characterized by higher elevation and the presence of calcareous deposits known as kankar.
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d) Bhabar: A narrow, porous, pebble-studded belt lying immediately south of the Shiwalik foothills where small streams disappear underground due to high rock porosity.
