Ravines of Chambal-Gwalior Region – UPSC GS1

Badland topography is a major feature of the Chambal valley is characterized by an undulating floodplain, gullies and ravines.

Ravines are a type of fluvial erosional feature and are formed as a result of constant vertical erosion by streams and rivers flowing over semi-arid and arid regions.

Researchers consider the regional climate as a major factor in the formation of ravines.

Climate indeed plays a huge role by supplying the water in the form of rain or snow as well as providing the temperature variations.

However, the ravines of Chambal are a bit difficult to be explained solely on climatic terms.

The region through which the Chambal River flows does not receive enough rainfall to create ravines that are 60–80 m deep.

Researchers have attributed neotectonic activities to the Chambal ravines genesis.

It is well known that rivers are full of energy and actively erode in their initial phases and progressively become passive as they attain their base levels.

But sometimes, due to tectonic movements, the base level may be lowered further thus energizing the river and reactivating the erosion. This is known as River Rejuvenation.

Moreover, wind erosion has also contributed to the formation of Chambal ravines.

Badlands are erosional landforms of highly dissected morphology that are created on soft bedrock in a variety of climate conditions.

They develop in arid to semiarid areas where the bedrock is poorly cemented and rainfall is generally heavy and intermittent.

The dry, granular surface material and light vegetation are swept from the slopes during showers, leaving the gullies bare.