The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Northern Plains of India are divided into four distinct physiographic zones based on relief and soil characteristics: Bhabar, Terai, Bhangar, and Khadar. The Bhabar belt represents the northernmost section, situated immediately at the foot of the Himalayas.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Bhabar is a narrow belt, typically 8 to 16 km wide, running parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. It extends uninterruptedly from the Indus to the Tista.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The re-emergence of streams and the creation of wet, swampy, and marshy conditions characterize the Terai belt, which lies immediately south of the Bhabar. In the Bhabar belt, streams disappear underground due to high porosity.
- Statement 3 is Correct: As rivers descend from the mountains, the sudden break in slope reduces their velocity and carrying capacity. Consequently, they deposit heavy materials such as rocks, boulders, and pebbles in this zone, creating a highly porous structure.
Key Takeaway:
The Bhabar belt is a dry, porous zone of boulder deposits where rivers disappear, whereas the Terai belt is a wet, marshy zone where these underground streams re-emerge.