Plains of North Bengal | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

North Bengal Plains, stretching from Siliguri to the northern bank of the Ganges in Malda district, encompasses two main subdivisions.

1. Terai 
   Terai, also known as Duars, is composed of sand, gravel, and pebbles deposited by Himalayan rivers like Teesta, Torsa, Raidak, Jaldhaka, and other smaller rivulets. With a general elevation ranging from 80 to 100 meters, the Teesta river divides this region into Terai in the west and Duars in the east. Duars is further categorized into Siliguri or Western Duars, middle or Jalpaiguri Duars, and Eastern or Alipur Duars. This region extends into the Siliguri division of Darjeeling district, the northern and eastern parts of Jalpaiguri district (excluding Buxa-Jayanti), and the upper region of Cooch Behar district.
2. Northern Plain 
   The Northern Plain extends from the southern end of the Terai region to the northern bank of the Ganges, featuring three distinct categories:
   1. Diara 
      Diara refers to the area of new alluvium brought by the Kalindi river, covering the western part of Malda district.
   2. Barendrabhumi 
      Barendrabhumi encompasses a significant portion in the south of West Dinajpur and the northeast of Malda, characterized by old alluvium known as Barind.
   3. Tal 
      Tal denotes lakes or wetlands formed by floodwaters. The regions between the Mahananda and Kalindi rivers are susceptible to flooding, leading to the creation of Tals in these areas.