Orissa - Geography
Odisha is one of the States of India. Orissa the tenth largest state in terms of area in the Indian Union is located in the northeastern Indian peninsula. This state is bounded on north by Bihar, on west by Madhya Pradesh, on northeast by West Bengal and on south by Bay of Bengal. Geographically this state may be divided into four distinct parts - the northern plateau, central river basin, eastern hills and coastal plains. Topographically, Orissa is a composite state consisting of hill tracts and the coastal belt.
It is located between the parallels of 17.49'N and 22.34'N latitudes and meridians of 81.27'E and 87.29'E longitudes. It has a coast line of about 450 kms. It extends over an area of 155,707 square kms. Accounting about 4.87 of the total area of India.
On the basis of homogeneity, continuity and physiographical characterstics, Odisha has been divided into five major morphological regions : the Odisha Coastal Plain in the east, the Middle Mountainous and Highlands Region, the Central plateaus, the western rolling uplands and the major flood plains.
The Odisha Coastal Plains are the depositional landforms of recent origin and geologically belong to the Post-Tertiary Period. The 75 meter contourline delimits their western boundary and differentiates them from the Middle Mountainous Region. This region stretches from the West Bengal border, i.e. from the River Subarnarekha in the north to the River Rushikulya in the south.
This region is the combination of several deltas of varied sizes and shapes formed by the major rivers of Odisha, such as the Subarnarekha, the Budhabalanga, the Baitarani, the Brahmani, the Mahanadi, and the Rushikulya. Therefore, the coastal plain of Odisha is called the "Hexadeltaic region" or the "Gift of Six Rivers". It stretches along the coast of the Bay of Bengal having the maximum width in the Middle Coastal Plain (the Mahanadi Delta), narrow in the Northern Coastal Plain (Balasore Plain) and narrowest in the Southern Coastal Plain ( Ganjam Plain). The North Coastal Plain comprises the deltas of the Subarnarekha and the Budhabalanga rivers and bears evidences of marine transgressions. The Middle Coastal Plain comprises the compound deltas of the Baitarani, Brahmani and Mahanadi rivers and bears evidences of past 'back bays' and present lakes. The South Coastal Plain comprises the laccustrine plain of Chilika lake and the smaller delta of the Rushikulya River.
The Middle Mountainous and Highlands Region covers about three-fourth of the entire State. Geologically it is a part of the Indian Peninsula which as a part of the ancient landmass of the Gondwanaland. The major rivers of Odishawith their tributaries have cut deep and narrow valleys. This region mostly comprises the hills and mountains of the Eastern Ghats which rise abruptly and steeply in the east and slope gently to a dissected plateau in the west running from north-east (Mayurbhanj) to north-west (Malkangirig). This region is well marked by a number of interfluves or watersheds. The Eastern Ghats is interrupted by a number of broad and narrow river valleys and flood plains. The average beight of this region is about 900 metres above the mean seal level.
The Central Plateaus are mostly eroded plateaus forming the western slopes of the Eastern Ghats with elevation varying from 305-610 metres. There are two broad plateaus in Odisha : (i) the Panposh - Keonjhar -Pallahara plateau comprises the Upper Baitarani catchment basin, and (ii) the Nabrangpur - Jeypore plateau comprises the Sabari basin.
The Western Rolling Uplands are lower in elevation than the plateaus having heights varying from 153 meters to 305 meters.
Orissa is a state full of rivers. The main rivers of this state are Mahanadi, Baitarani, Brahamani. Subarnarekha, Rashikulya, Budhabalanga, Vamsadhara and Nagavali. The rivers have deposited a lot of silt and enlarged the area. Besides, these rivers there is big lake Chilka. About 30% of the area in this state is under forest. There are four groups of rivers which flow through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal. They are :
- Rivers that have a source outside the State (the Subarnarekha, the Brahmani and the Mahanadi).
- Rivers having a source inside the State(the Budhabalanga, the Baitarini, the Salandi, and the Rushikulya).
- Rivers having a source inside the Odisha, but flow through other states (the Bahudu, the Vansadhara, and the Nagavali).
- Rivers having a source inside Odisha, but tributary to rivers which flow through other states (the Machkund, the Sileru, the Kolab, and the Indravati).
The lush green forests of Ushakothi and Similipal filled with the chirping of birds and rich wild life are much-needed oasis. The biosphere reserve of Nandankanan, only 20 kms. from Bhubaneswar can be interesting for any visitor regardless of age and sex. The lion safari and white tiger safari have added news features. The majestic Mahanadi gorge at Tikarapara with the added attraction of the Crocodile Sanctuary is a must for the wild life lovers. Millions of Olive Ridley turtles come to Gahirmatha twice a year to lay eggs.
Odisha has a paradise for the birds as well as in the Chilika Lake which is the largest brackish Water Lake in Asia. The Lake is dotted with a host of Islands with their romantic names like Honeymoon Island, Breakfast Island etc. Dancing Dolphins are an added attraction of the place.
The perennial and precipitous water falls at a number of places like Bagra, Duduma, Harishankar, Nrusimhanath, Pradhanpat, Khandadhar, Berehipani, Joranda, etc. formed against enthralling hills of scenic beauty provide the tired travellers with a cool breeze and ice cold water to relieve them off the clutches of the scorching sun in the summer.
More refreshing in the winter are the hot sulphur springs at Atri, Taptapani, Deulajhari and Tarabalo. The lovely beaches of Odisha stretching over 400 kms. from Chandaneswar to Gopalpur are still virgin and rated among the best in the world. The beach at Chandipur in the district of Balasore has a unique individuality of its own.
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