Maharashtra Soil and Natural Vegetation | Maharashtra State PSC (MPSC): Preparation - MPSC (Maharastra) PDF Download

 Page 1


  
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
In this chapter we will learn the components of soil and soil physical 
properties of soil. We will also study about the natural vegetation of 
Maharashtra and of the state. The problems and measures of soil 
conservation are also covered in this chapter. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Soils form the uppermost layer of the earth’s crust. It is a mixture of 
loose rock particles and humus (organic matter). Soil serves as a source of 
food and moisture for plants. The technical term used for soil formation is 
paedogenesis. The type of soil and its fertility is determined by the 
following factors: 
a) Parent rock material. 
b) On the process of denudation that determines the texture, and size 
of rock particles. 
c) Relief and Climatic conditions that influence the degree and type of 
vegetation associated with its habitat. 
d) Consolidated effect of above mentioned aspects produces different 
types of soil, its degree of fertility, its composition and thickness of 
soil layer. 
Forests form the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in 
the form of biodiversity and by destroying these we are going to lose the 
biodiversity that may lead to ecological disequilibrium. Some of these 
species have marvellous economic or medicinal value. These storehouses 
of species which have evolved over millions of years would get lost due to soil 
pollution or destruction of forest by deforestation. 
 SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA 
 Introduction: 
Soils form an important natural resource for agricultural and associated 
economic activities that favours economic development of a region. 
Agricultural development and food processing, pasture lands-livestock and 
dairying, forests and forest-based industries are all directly or indirectly 
dependent upon the availability of soils, its type, thickness and fertility 
levels. 
Various geographical factors like the parent rock, climatic conditions, 
natural vegetation and its habitat, amount of organic material and presence of 
micro organisms determine the formation and type of soil. Soil provides 
nutrients to the plants. Plants are capable of taking nutrients from the soil 
through their roots. 
Page 2


  
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
In this chapter we will learn the components of soil and soil physical 
properties of soil. We will also study about the natural vegetation of 
Maharashtra and of the state. The problems and measures of soil 
conservation are also covered in this chapter. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Soils form the uppermost layer of the earth’s crust. It is a mixture of 
loose rock particles and humus (organic matter). Soil serves as a source of 
food and moisture for plants. The technical term used for soil formation is 
paedogenesis. The type of soil and its fertility is determined by the 
following factors: 
a) Parent rock material. 
b) On the process of denudation that determines the texture, and size 
of rock particles. 
c) Relief and Climatic conditions that influence the degree and type of 
vegetation associated with its habitat. 
d) Consolidated effect of above mentioned aspects produces different 
types of soil, its degree of fertility, its composition and thickness of 
soil layer. 
Forests form the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in 
the form of biodiversity and by destroying these we are going to lose the 
biodiversity that may lead to ecological disequilibrium. Some of these 
species have marvellous economic or medicinal value. These storehouses 
of species which have evolved over millions of years would get lost due to soil 
pollution or destruction of forest by deforestation. 
 SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA 
 Introduction: 
Soils form an important natural resource for agricultural and associated 
economic activities that favours economic development of a region. 
Agricultural development and food processing, pasture lands-livestock and 
dairying, forests and forest-based industries are all directly or indirectly 
dependent upon the availability of soils, its type, thickness and fertility 
levels. 
Various geographical factors like the parent rock, climatic conditions, 
natural vegetation and its habitat, amount of organic material and presence of 
micro organisms determine the formation and type of soil. Soil provides 
nutrients to the plants. Plants are capable of taking nutrients from the soil 
through their roots. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The relief and climate of Maharashtra is varied that has subjected 96.4 per 
cent of the states geographic area different degrees of erosion. A cross 
section of soil profile reveals that incidence of severe erosion is highest in 
the Western Ghats (53.1 percent) and relatively less in other lower parts 
of Maharashtra (11.5 percent). 
CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS IN 
MAHARASHTRA 
? The soil and vegetation of Maharashtra are related to the climate 
and the geology. 
? Shallow, medium and deep-black soils are mostly found in the state of 
Maharashtra. 
? The soil status of Maharashtra is residual, derived from the 
underlying basalts. 
? In the semi-dry plateau, the regur (black-cotton soil) is clayey, rich in 
iron and moisture-retentive, though poor in nitrogen and organic matter. 
? When re-deposited along the river valleys, the kali soils are deeper 
and heavier, better suited for Rabi crops. 
? Further away, with a better mixture of lime, the morand soils form 
the ideal Kharif zone. 
? The higher plateau areas have pather soils, which contain more gravel. 
? In the rainy Konkan, and the Sahyadri Range, the same basalts give rise to 
the brick-red laterites, which are productive under a forest-cover, but 
readily stripped into a sterile varkas when devoid of vegetative cover. 
? By and large, the soils of Maharashtra are shallow and of 
somewhat poor quality. 
 
Fig: Maharashtra Types of Soil 
Page 3


  
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
In this chapter we will learn the components of soil and soil physical 
properties of soil. We will also study about the natural vegetation of 
Maharashtra and of the state. The problems and measures of soil 
conservation are also covered in this chapter. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Soils form the uppermost layer of the earth’s crust. It is a mixture of 
loose rock particles and humus (organic matter). Soil serves as a source of 
food and moisture for plants. The technical term used for soil formation is 
paedogenesis. The type of soil and its fertility is determined by the 
following factors: 
a) Parent rock material. 
b) On the process of denudation that determines the texture, and size 
of rock particles. 
c) Relief and Climatic conditions that influence the degree and type of 
vegetation associated with its habitat. 
d) Consolidated effect of above mentioned aspects produces different 
types of soil, its degree of fertility, its composition and thickness of 
soil layer. 
Forests form the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in 
the form of biodiversity and by destroying these we are going to lose the 
biodiversity that may lead to ecological disequilibrium. Some of these 
species have marvellous economic or medicinal value. These storehouses 
of species which have evolved over millions of years would get lost due to soil 
pollution or destruction of forest by deforestation. 
 SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA 
 Introduction: 
Soils form an important natural resource for agricultural and associated 
economic activities that favours economic development of a region. 
Agricultural development and food processing, pasture lands-livestock and 
dairying, forests and forest-based industries are all directly or indirectly 
dependent upon the availability of soils, its type, thickness and fertility 
levels. 
Various geographical factors like the parent rock, climatic conditions, 
natural vegetation and its habitat, amount of organic material and presence of 
micro organisms determine the formation and type of soil. Soil provides 
nutrients to the plants. Plants are capable of taking nutrients from the soil 
through their roots. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The relief and climate of Maharashtra is varied that has subjected 96.4 per 
cent of the states geographic area different degrees of erosion. A cross 
section of soil profile reveals that incidence of severe erosion is highest in 
the Western Ghats (53.1 percent) and relatively less in other lower parts 
of Maharashtra (11.5 percent). 
CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS IN 
MAHARASHTRA 
? The soil and vegetation of Maharashtra are related to the climate 
and the geology. 
? Shallow, medium and deep-black soils are mostly found in the state of 
Maharashtra. 
? The soil status of Maharashtra is residual, derived from the 
underlying basalts. 
? In the semi-dry plateau, the regur (black-cotton soil) is clayey, rich in 
iron and moisture-retentive, though poor in nitrogen and organic matter. 
? When re-deposited along the river valleys, the kali soils are deeper 
and heavier, better suited for Rabi crops. 
? Further away, with a better mixture of lime, the morand soils form 
the ideal Kharif zone. 
? The higher plateau areas have pather soils, which contain more gravel. 
? In the rainy Konkan, and the Sahyadri Range, the same basalts give rise to 
the brick-red laterites, which are productive under a forest-cover, but 
readily stripped into a sterile varkas when devoid of vegetative cover. 
? By and large, the soils of Maharashtra are shallow and of 
somewhat poor quality. 
 
Fig: Maharashtra Types of Soil 
  
 
 
 
 
Broad classification of soils of Maharashtra 
No
. 
Type of Soil Region 
1 Black cotton or Regur River valleys of Godavari, Krishna 
and Bhima 
2 Laterite Sahyadri hill range of south Konkan 
in areas of Ratnagiri and 
Sindhudurg. 
3 Coastal sandy alluvial 
soil 
North  Konkan coastal areas 
Palghar, Thane and Raigad 
districts 
4 Red- Yellowish brown 
soil 
In eastern Maharashtra areas of 
Chandrapur, Bhandara, and Sahyadri 
hill ranges 
5 Coarse soil Central Plateau region of Ajantha 
and Balag hat. 
6 Brown, grey soil River valleys of Wardha 
and Wainganga. 
7 Saline Marshy soil Along Creeks of Coastal region of 
Maharashtra. 
 
DIFFERENT TYPE SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA 
1. Black cotton or Regur soil: 
? This type of soil is mainly found in the river valleys and plateau region 
to the east of the Sahyadri mountain range. 
? Thick layer of this type of soil is mostly found in the river valleys. 
? This soil is found at various districts viz. Jalgaon, Amravati, Vidarbha, 
Vardha and Gondia district. It is also found in the valley between 
Parbhani and Nanded district and in Krishna valley. 
? The soil in the Deccan plateau, on the “Desh” region is made up of 
black basalt soil. 
? The colour of this rock is black due the presence of magnesium and iron 
in it. 
? Weathering of this rock has lead to the formation of black 
coloured soil i.e. Black soil or Regur soil. 
? This type of soil is rich in humus. 
? This soil is highly fertile. Soils found on hill tops are composed of 
sandy and stony material with murum. 
Page 4


  
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
In this chapter we will learn the components of soil and soil physical 
properties of soil. We will also study about the natural vegetation of 
Maharashtra and of the state. The problems and measures of soil 
conservation are also covered in this chapter. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Soils form the uppermost layer of the earth’s crust. It is a mixture of 
loose rock particles and humus (organic matter). Soil serves as a source of 
food and moisture for plants. The technical term used for soil formation is 
paedogenesis. The type of soil and its fertility is determined by the 
following factors: 
a) Parent rock material. 
b) On the process of denudation that determines the texture, and size 
of rock particles. 
c) Relief and Climatic conditions that influence the degree and type of 
vegetation associated with its habitat. 
d) Consolidated effect of above mentioned aspects produces different 
types of soil, its degree of fertility, its composition and thickness of 
soil layer. 
Forests form the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in 
the form of biodiversity and by destroying these we are going to lose the 
biodiversity that may lead to ecological disequilibrium. Some of these 
species have marvellous economic or medicinal value. These storehouses 
of species which have evolved over millions of years would get lost due to soil 
pollution or destruction of forest by deforestation. 
 SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA 
 Introduction: 
Soils form an important natural resource for agricultural and associated 
economic activities that favours economic development of a region. 
Agricultural development and food processing, pasture lands-livestock and 
dairying, forests and forest-based industries are all directly or indirectly 
dependent upon the availability of soils, its type, thickness and fertility 
levels. 
Various geographical factors like the parent rock, climatic conditions, 
natural vegetation and its habitat, amount of organic material and presence of 
micro organisms determine the formation and type of soil. Soil provides 
nutrients to the plants. Plants are capable of taking nutrients from the soil 
through their roots. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The relief and climate of Maharashtra is varied that has subjected 96.4 per 
cent of the states geographic area different degrees of erosion. A cross 
section of soil profile reveals that incidence of severe erosion is highest in 
the Western Ghats (53.1 percent) and relatively less in other lower parts 
of Maharashtra (11.5 percent). 
CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS IN 
MAHARASHTRA 
? The soil and vegetation of Maharashtra are related to the climate 
and the geology. 
? Shallow, medium and deep-black soils are mostly found in the state of 
Maharashtra. 
? The soil status of Maharashtra is residual, derived from the 
underlying basalts. 
? In the semi-dry plateau, the regur (black-cotton soil) is clayey, rich in 
iron and moisture-retentive, though poor in nitrogen and organic matter. 
? When re-deposited along the river valleys, the kali soils are deeper 
and heavier, better suited for Rabi crops. 
? Further away, with a better mixture of lime, the morand soils form 
the ideal Kharif zone. 
? The higher plateau areas have pather soils, which contain more gravel. 
? In the rainy Konkan, and the Sahyadri Range, the same basalts give rise to 
the brick-red laterites, which are productive under a forest-cover, but 
readily stripped into a sterile varkas when devoid of vegetative cover. 
? By and large, the soils of Maharashtra are shallow and of 
somewhat poor quality. 
 
Fig: Maharashtra Types of Soil 
  
 
 
 
 
Broad classification of soils of Maharashtra 
No
. 
Type of Soil Region 
1 Black cotton or Regur River valleys of Godavari, Krishna 
and Bhima 
2 Laterite Sahyadri hill range of south Konkan 
in areas of Ratnagiri and 
Sindhudurg. 
3 Coastal sandy alluvial 
soil 
North  Konkan coastal areas 
Palghar, Thane and Raigad 
districts 
4 Red- Yellowish brown 
soil 
In eastern Maharashtra areas of 
Chandrapur, Bhandara, and Sahyadri 
hill ranges 
5 Coarse soil Central Plateau region of Ajantha 
and Balag hat. 
6 Brown, grey soil River valleys of Wardha 
and Wainganga. 
7 Saline Marshy soil Along Creeks of Coastal region of 
Maharashtra. 
 
DIFFERENT TYPE SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA 
1. Black cotton or Regur soil: 
? This type of soil is mainly found in the river valleys and plateau region 
to the east of the Sahyadri mountain range. 
? Thick layer of this type of soil is mostly found in the river valleys. 
? This soil is found at various districts viz. Jalgaon, Amravati, Vidarbha, 
Vardha and Gondia district. It is also found in the valley between 
Parbhani and Nanded district and in Krishna valley. 
? The soil in the Deccan plateau, on the “Desh” region is made up of 
black basalt soil. 
? The colour of this rock is black due the presence of magnesium and iron 
in it. 
? Weathering of this rock has lead to the formation of black 
coloured soil i.e. Black soil or Regur soil. 
? This type of soil is rich in humus. 
? This soil is highly fertile. Soils found on hill tops are composed of 
sandy and stony material with murum. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
? This soil is shallow natured and the thickness ranges from few to 50 
cm. 
? The soil is commonly known as the black cotton soil because it is best 
suited for the cultivation of cotton. 
? The volcanic action which had taken place in the Deccan region has 
given rise to the soil texture and composition. 
? These igneous rocks break down into the black soil which is very 
fertile. 
? Black cotton soil is found in the regions having less than 100 cm of 
rainfall. 
? In some of the regions of Western Maharashtra black cotton soil has been 
converted into Saline soil or Chopan soil due to excessive irrigation. 
? This soil contains greater percentage of calcium and magnesium 
carbonate but lacks in nitrogen, potash, phosphate and organic matter. 
? This soil is sticky and has the capability of retaining water for a longer 
period of time. Black cotton soil possesses peculiar characters such as, 
when it gets wet, it swells and become very sticky in nature while, when 
dry, it shrinks. 
? This type of soil has a natural resistance to wind and water erosion 
because it is rich in iron and granular in structure. A very important 
advantage of this type of soil is that it can retain moisture. This makes 
the soil very reactive to irrigation. 
? So, excessive irrigation is very harmful to this type of soil because 
the salts of the soils get deposited in the top layer hence making the 
soil salty. This again makes the soil useless for agriculture. 
? Black cotton soil covers about 26.3 % of the areas of the 
Maharashtra state (Challa et.al., 1995). 
2. Laterite Soil 
? Lateritic soil is formed by lateritic rock in high elevation. 
? This type of soil is developed in the region having heavy rainfall 
followed by extensive dry period. 
? This soil is very stony because of the presence of weathering 
fragments or iron concentration with acidic pH ranging 4.5-6.0. 
? Lateritic soil possesses seldom organic matter. 
? Lateritic soil is found in Mahabaleshwar, southern part of 
Mahabaleshwar, around Bhima Shankar and Matheran. 
? It is useful for horticulture crops like mango, cashew, jackfruit 
etc. 
Page 5


  
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
In this chapter we will learn the components of soil and soil physical 
properties of soil. We will also study about the natural vegetation of 
Maharashtra and of the state. The problems and measures of soil 
conservation are also covered in this chapter. 
 SUBJECT DISCUSSION 
Soils form the uppermost layer of the earth’s crust. It is a mixture of 
loose rock particles and humus (organic matter). Soil serves as a source of 
food and moisture for plants. The technical term used for soil formation is 
paedogenesis. The type of soil and its fertility is determined by the 
following factors: 
a) Parent rock material. 
b) On the process of denudation that determines the texture, and size 
of rock particles. 
c) Relief and Climatic conditions that influence the degree and type of 
vegetation associated with its habitat. 
d) Consolidated effect of above mentioned aspects produces different 
types of soil, its degree of fertility, its composition and thickness of 
soil layer. 
Forests form the repositories of invaluable gifts of nature in 
the form of biodiversity and by destroying these we are going to lose the 
biodiversity that may lead to ecological disequilibrium. Some of these 
species have marvellous economic or medicinal value. These storehouses 
of species which have evolved over millions of years would get lost due to soil 
pollution or destruction of forest by deforestation. 
 SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA 
 Introduction: 
Soils form an important natural resource for agricultural and associated 
economic activities that favours economic development of a region. 
Agricultural development and food processing, pasture lands-livestock and 
dairying, forests and forest-based industries are all directly or indirectly 
dependent upon the availability of soils, its type, thickness and fertility 
levels. 
Various geographical factors like the parent rock, climatic conditions, 
natural vegetation and its habitat, amount of organic material and presence of 
micro organisms determine the formation and type of soil. Soil provides 
nutrients to the plants. Plants are capable of taking nutrients from the soil 
through their roots. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The relief and climate of Maharashtra is varied that has subjected 96.4 per 
cent of the states geographic area different degrees of erosion. A cross 
section of soil profile reveals that incidence of severe erosion is highest in 
the Western Ghats (53.1 percent) and relatively less in other lower parts 
of Maharashtra (11.5 percent). 
CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS IN 
MAHARASHTRA 
? The soil and vegetation of Maharashtra are related to the climate 
and the geology. 
? Shallow, medium and deep-black soils are mostly found in the state of 
Maharashtra. 
? The soil status of Maharashtra is residual, derived from the 
underlying basalts. 
? In the semi-dry plateau, the regur (black-cotton soil) is clayey, rich in 
iron and moisture-retentive, though poor in nitrogen and organic matter. 
? When re-deposited along the river valleys, the kali soils are deeper 
and heavier, better suited for Rabi crops. 
? Further away, with a better mixture of lime, the morand soils form 
the ideal Kharif zone. 
? The higher plateau areas have pather soils, which contain more gravel. 
? In the rainy Konkan, and the Sahyadri Range, the same basalts give rise to 
the brick-red laterites, which are productive under a forest-cover, but 
readily stripped into a sterile varkas when devoid of vegetative cover. 
? By and large, the soils of Maharashtra are shallow and of 
somewhat poor quality. 
 
Fig: Maharashtra Types of Soil 
  
 
 
 
 
Broad classification of soils of Maharashtra 
No
. 
Type of Soil Region 
1 Black cotton or Regur River valleys of Godavari, Krishna 
and Bhima 
2 Laterite Sahyadri hill range of south Konkan 
in areas of Ratnagiri and 
Sindhudurg. 
3 Coastal sandy alluvial 
soil 
North  Konkan coastal areas 
Palghar, Thane and Raigad 
districts 
4 Red- Yellowish brown 
soil 
In eastern Maharashtra areas of 
Chandrapur, Bhandara, and Sahyadri 
hill ranges 
5 Coarse soil Central Plateau region of Ajantha 
and Balag hat. 
6 Brown, grey soil River valleys of Wardha 
and Wainganga. 
7 Saline Marshy soil Along Creeks of Coastal region of 
Maharashtra. 
 
DIFFERENT TYPE SOILS OF MAHARASHTRA 
1. Black cotton or Regur soil: 
? This type of soil is mainly found in the river valleys and plateau region 
to the east of the Sahyadri mountain range. 
? Thick layer of this type of soil is mostly found in the river valleys. 
? This soil is found at various districts viz. Jalgaon, Amravati, Vidarbha, 
Vardha and Gondia district. It is also found in the valley between 
Parbhani and Nanded district and in Krishna valley. 
? The soil in the Deccan plateau, on the “Desh” region is made up of 
black basalt soil. 
? The colour of this rock is black due the presence of magnesium and iron 
in it. 
? Weathering of this rock has lead to the formation of black 
coloured soil i.e. Black soil or Regur soil. 
? This type of soil is rich in humus. 
? This soil is highly fertile. Soils found on hill tops are composed of 
sandy and stony material with murum. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
? This soil is shallow natured and the thickness ranges from few to 50 
cm. 
? The soil is commonly known as the black cotton soil because it is best 
suited for the cultivation of cotton. 
? The volcanic action which had taken place in the Deccan region has 
given rise to the soil texture and composition. 
? These igneous rocks break down into the black soil which is very 
fertile. 
? Black cotton soil is found in the regions having less than 100 cm of 
rainfall. 
? In some of the regions of Western Maharashtra black cotton soil has been 
converted into Saline soil or Chopan soil due to excessive irrigation. 
? This soil contains greater percentage of calcium and magnesium 
carbonate but lacks in nitrogen, potash, phosphate and organic matter. 
? This soil is sticky and has the capability of retaining water for a longer 
period of time. Black cotton soil possesses peculiar characters such as, 
when it gets wet, it swells and become very sticky in nature while, when 
dry, it shrinks. 
? This type of soil has a natural resistance to wind and water erosion 
because it is rich in iron and granular in structure. A very important 
advantage of this type of soil is that it can retain moisture. This makes 
the soil very reactive to irrigation. 
? So, excessive irrigation is very harmful to this type of soil because 
the salts of the soils get deposited in the top layer hence making the 
soil salty. This again makes the soil useless for agriculture. 
? Black cotton soil covers about 26.3 % of the areas of the 
Maharashtra state (Challa et.al., 1995). 
2. Laterite Soil 
? Lateritic soil is formed by lateritic rock in high elevation. 
? This type of soil is developed in the region having heavy rainfall 
followed by extensive dry period. 
? This soil is very stony because of the presence of weathering 
fragments or iron concentration with acidic pH ranging 4.5-6.0. 
? Lateritic soil possesses seldom organic matter. 
? Lateritic soil is found in Mahabaleshwar, southern part of 
Mahabaleshwar, around Bhima Shankar and Matheran. 
? It is useful for horticulture crops like mango, cashew, jackfruit 
etc. 
  
 
 
 
 
? The blocks of this type of soil are soft when they are extracted 
from the Laterite mines but become hard after they are exposed in 
the open air. 
? These are known as “Chira” in Konkan and are used to 
construct houses and forts. 
3. Coastal Sandy or Alluvial soil: 
? Alluvial soils are formed by alluvium found at upstream region or 
nearby relief. 
? Alluvial soil is dark brown in colour and several meters in depth. 
? Rivers of Konkan originate in the western hill slopes of Sahyadri 
and move towards the west along the coast of Konkan to join 
the Arabian Sea. The alluvium brought by these rivers is 
deposited at their mouth along the coast and is known as the 
Coastal Sandy or Alluvial soil. 
? It is also formed by erosion of sand bars and sedimentary 
platform rock by water wave, tide and heavy rain fall. 
? The proportion of sand and mud is more in this type of soil. 
? This soil is useful for the cultivation of food crops like rice. It is 
also used for coconut plantation and horticulture crops like 
mango, cashew etc. 
4. Red-Yellowish brown soil 
? Red-Yellowish brown soil is formed as a result of disintegration 
of granite, gneiss rocks along with basalt due to heavy rain. 
? Soils are light to pale yellowish to in red colour as it contains 
greater proportion of sand and iron oxide. 
? Soils are stony and non fertile. 
? They are found in eastern Maharashtra especially in Wardha 
and Wainganga basins in Vidharbha and hill tops of Sahyadri in 
Palghar, Thane, and Raigad districts in Western Maharashtra. 
5. Coarse soil 
? The soil is found along the western part of the Deccan plateau 
where the amount of rainfall is more about 600 cm. 
? The soil is also found Ajantha plateau, Balaghat and Mahadeo 
ranges. 
? As the weathered material is washed away from the mountain 
top the thickness of the soil is less to the eastern side than the west. 
This type of soil is acidic in nature and has a low water retention 
capacity.