Mountains and hills
Explanation
Terrace farming is a specialized agricultural technique designed to cultivate crops on steep slopes. It involves cutting flat areas, resembling steps, out of a hilly or mountainous landscape to create arable land.In the context of the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin, the topography varies from the high Himalayas to the flat plains and deltas. The adaptation of farming techniques depends heavily on the gradient of the land.
- Mountains and hills: The basin encompasses the Himalayan ranges and the hills of North-East India. In these regions, the steep slopes cause rapid water runoff, leading to severe soil erosion. Terrace farming is primarily adopted here to reduce the velocity of water flow, facilitate water percolation, and prevent the fertile topsoil from being washed away.
- Plains and Deltas: The Ganga-Brahmaputra plains and the delta regions are naturally flat, low-lying areas with deep, fertile alluvial soil. These terrains allow for extensive agriculture without the need for slope modification techniques like terracing.
Key Takeaway: Terrace farming is a critical soil conservation method utilized in mountainous and hilly regions to prevent soil erosion and make steep slopes suitable for agriculture.