The Natural Topography, Including

DrainaGe
Topography:
• It is the study of surface features of the land.

• Pakistan can be categorized into six topographical areas:

➵Northern & North-Western Mountains:

- Karakorams
- Himalayas
- Hindu Kush

➵ Western Mountains:

- Waziristan Hills
- Sulaiman Range
- Kirthar Range
- Safed Koh Ranges

➵Balochistan Plateau

➵Potwar Plateau and Salt Ranges

5 ➵Indus Plain

➵ Desert Areas

- Kharan Desert
- Thal Desert
- Thar Desert
 Northern & North-Western Mountains:
Relief: Economy and People:
• In summers when the snow peaks melt, the
• It includes Karakoram, Himalaya, and water drain into River Indus and its
the Hindu Kush. tributaries.

• These ranges run from west to east. • This drainage helps in the irrigation of
Indus plain.
• Its height changes from 6000 m to
• These mountains are a source of valuable
8475 m; south to the north respectively. minerals, fruits, and timber.

• It has deep narrow valleys namely • There are historic passes that connect
Kaghan, Baltistan and Chitral. Pakistan to Afghanistan and China.

• It also has snow caped, sharp and • There is also a natural border between
steep-sided peaks like Nanga Parbat, CAS republics and China.
Tirich Mir, and K-2.
• The mountains protect against the cold
winds from CAS making the climate
• It has Siachen, Baltoro, and Batura
bearable.
that are huge glaciers (snowfields).
• The beautiful scenery attracts tourists and
• It has high passes including Khunjerab, promoting the resort business in Gilgit,
Shandur, and Lawarai. Hunza, Murree, Naran, etc.

• These mountains also provide the raw

material for chemicals, furniture, paper, etc.

Drainage:
Topographical Features
• Eastern tributaries include Jhelum,
High mountains / East to west
Chenab, River Indus, Ravi, Beas, and
ranges/Parallel ranges/Decrease in
Sutlej.
height from north- south/ High peaks
/ Snow fields areas / Steep slopes/
• Western tributaries include Kabul and
Deep valley gorges/ Alluvial fans
Swat.
pigment/High passes /Serrated
landscape/landslides/Barren or bare
rocks/ Gullies gorges
 Western Mountains
Relief Drainage

• Kirthar, Safed Koh, Waziristan, and • The drainages include Khurram, Hab,
Sulaiman are the parallel ranges that run Lyari, Tochi, Zhob, and Gomal.
from south to north. -------------------------------
-
• The height expands from 2000 m to ¢ Western tributaries of Indus plain
4712 m; south to the north respectively. * Enough water throughout the year
* But more in summer due to melting of
• There are several valleys and low-lying snow
basins including Bannu valley, Kohat ¢ Meanders
valley, and the valley of Peshawar. ¢ Water falls
* Rivers Kurrum , Tochi Gomal and Zhob
• The peaks there are not very big in ¢ All are seasonal rivers
height. * Kabul and Swat are the main rivers

• Safed Koh is the only peak that is Topographical Features

covered in snow.
* High mountains e.g. Safed Koh up to
4000m
• There are many historic passes
¢ But not as high as northern mountains
including Bolan, Gomal, Khyber, Tochi,
* Alluvial fans
and Khurram.
* Steep slopes
* Deep valleys
• There are not many glaciers.
* High passes e.g. (Khyber, Tochi, Gomal
and Bolan)
* Parallel ranges
* Areas of snow fields
Economy and People: * Barren areas bare rocks
* Gorges’ gullies
• The water drains in the western « Scree
rivers and helps in the cultivation of ¢ Ravines
sugarcane, rice, and wheat.
The passes connect Pakistan to Afghanistan.The passes also connect Karachi to Sibbi.
• These mountains create a defensive wall between Pakistan and Afghanistan.• These
mountains are rich in boulders, clay, limestone ridges and sandstones.• These mountains
prevent Pakistan from western depressions. There are important military centers namely
Kohat and Bannu.
 Potwar Plateau
Economy and People:

• It is rich in soapstones, marble, non-metallic minerals, limestone, gypsum, dolomite, and

clay.

• It has oil and gas fields namely, Attock Oil Refinery.

• On Potwar Plateau, through rainwater gram, wheat, barley, and maize are cultivated.

Drainage: Relief

• The drainage includes River Soan, Uchali,

Khabeki, and KallarKahar. • It is an open plateau with
------------------------------------ undulating land and an extensive
* Tributaries flat area.
* Notably soan river
* Salty lakes e.g. Kallar Kahar
* Inland drainage • Its height varies from 300 m to
* Seasonal and temporary 600 m.

• It has residual hills namely

Topographical Features
Khairi Murat and Kala Chitta
* Badland Topography
¢ Dissected / eroded ranging up to 1000 m.
* Floored valleys
* With deep slides • It has a badland topography i. e.
* Ravines ‘ gullies
troughs, ravines and landscapes
¢ Flat’ undulating surface
of ridges.

• It has parallel salt ranges from

750 m to 900 m.
 More on potwar plateau
* It is open, undulating land with an extensive flat area. It borders the
western parts of Azad Kashmir and the southern parts of Khyber-
Pakhtunkhwa.

* The land of Potwar was attributed as golden sparrow by EIC.

° The plateau includes the current 4 districts of Jhelum, Chakwal,

Rawalpindi, and Attock. The height of the Potwar plateau mainly varies
from 300 to 600 meters above sea level. Residual hills such as Kala
Chitta and Khairi Murat rise to just over 1000 meters.

The Soan river forms channels and alluvial plains, mainly used for
agriculture.

The Potwar Plateau is rich in minerals like gypsum, limestone, coal, oil,
and rock salt.
 SALT RANGES
Introduction
(the Salt Range and Potwar Plateau)
● The ° Salt Range ts the series of hills and low mountains between the
valleys of the Indus and Jhelum rivers, located in northern Punjab.
● Potwar Plateau is situated in Rawalpindi, Attock. and Jhelum districts. It
lies between the Indus, and Jhelum rivers and is bounded on the north by
the Hazara Hills and on the south by the Salt Range.
● The salt range in the south separate Potwar from the Punjab plains

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Climate and Vegetation

● The climate of the region is continental and arid, changing from

tropic to subtropic.
● During summer, monsoon brings the largest amount of
precipitation (more than 50% annually).
● Soil of the salt range is saline due to which agriculture is very
limited. The little vegetation that exists is due to irrigation using
the water of lakes and springs.
● A small mass of forest has been conserved in the south. Range.

----------------------------------------------------
Salt range:The range covers Jhelum, Chakwal, Kalabagh and Mianwali
districts. It is mainly known because of the famous salt mines at Khewra, a small
town about 160 km from Islamabad. It ranges up to more than 1,600 feet (490
m) in thickness. The range is approximately 186 miles (300 km) long from east to
west and its width in the central and eastern parts are from 5 to 19 miles.Its
average height is 2,200 feet. Its highest altitude point is at Sakesar mountain
which is 4,992 feet (1,527m). In addition to the salt deposits, the Salt Range
contains coal, gypsum,limestone, and other minerals.
 On the southern slope of the Salt Range are located the largest deposits
of rock salts at Khewra, Warchha, and Kalabagh. Coal deposits are found
at Dandot, Pidh, and Makarwal Kheji. Traces of petroleum are associated
with limestone and sandstone deposits in the western part of the Salt
Range. Large deposits of high-grade gypsum are found near Jilalapur.
Kallar kahar and Khabeki lakes add scenic beauty.

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Economic Activities

Potwar Plateau and salt range are rich in non-metallic minerals which
provide raw materials to the cement, ceramics and chemical industries. A
number of oil and gas fields are also located in this region. Attock Oil
Refinery has been set up to refine oil from the oil fields of Potwar
Plateau.Farming in this region depends on rainfall. The rugged landscape
does not allow canal irrigation. Mostly wheat, barley, maize and gram are
cultivated here. Some areas are developed(like Islamabad, Jhelum, Chakwal)
which encourage high population density and are accessible by road, rail and
air transport.

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Khewra Salt Mines

* Economically salt and coal mines are the most important. It is Pakistan's
largest and world’s 2nd largest salt mines. The mine is part of a salt range
that originated 800 million years ago. by the evaporation of shallow sea
followed by geological movement Salt reserves were discovered by the
horses of Alexander's army, when they were found licking the stones.
Trading of the salt started during the Mughal era. British took over the
territory and developed the mine and introduced the better excavation of
salt . The underground mine covers an area of 110sq.km
 Balochistan Plateau
Relief
• It has ridges and eroded landscape.
• It has barren mountain ranges including Toba Kakar, Hala, RasKoh and
Makran Coast from 600 m to 3010 m.
• There several irregular depressions including Loralai and Zhob basins.
• On the western side, there are inland drainage basins.
• There is a Lasbela plain that is marked by sand dunes and gravel.
• It has Makran Coast which a narrow coastal plain.

Drainage Economy and People

• The drainages include Hingol, • In Kharan and Punjgore, there are

Dasht, Hab, and Paroli. gold and antimony deposits.
• There are also temporary salt lakes • There are also gas, crude oil, and
namely Hamun-i-Lora and Hamun-i- coal deposits.
Mashkal. • The economy is through livestock
and its products and fishing at
--------------------------- Ormara, Gwadar, and Pasni.
inland/small rivers/temporary or • There is also a vegetable seed
seasonal/salty lakes or hamnus industry.

Topography of Balochistan Plateau

* Upto 3010mhigh/ Kharan desert / Flatland/Rolling sand dunes* Bare rock/
Parallel ranges /Toba Kakar Range /Central Brahui Range/ Chaghi range/
Ras Koh/ Siahan Range/ Central Makran Range/Makran Coastal range/ Hala
Range/Pab Range/Kachi Sibi Plains/Lasbela Plain.
----------------------------------------------------------
Natural Topography of Mountains of Balochistan
* E.g. Toba Kakar Range/With steep slopes/Deep valleys/Piedmont
Plains/Rugged/Basins/Coastal/ flat/sandy.
 More information on balochistan plateau
Rivers and their Drainage Rivers of balochistan
● Dasht
* Rivers like Zhob, Khandar, and ● Gudri
the Kalachi drains into Indus river ● Bhhari
because they ● Hingol
flows East wards. ● Arra
¢ Loralai, Chakar, Bolan and Mula are ● Nal
absorbed ● Hab
in Kachi Sibi Plain. ● Indus then infront
¢ Hab, Porali, Dasht, Hingol and
(mouth of indus)
Mashkel drains
● Nara
into Arabian Sea.
¢ There are many other rivers as well
which flows
westwards and drains into shallow
depressions
called Hamuns.

Balochistan’s Economic Potential:

• There are gold and antimony reserves./By using the untapped resources of
Balochistan, Pakistan’s economy can see an uplift./Using the crude oil, coal and
natural gas present in Balochistan electricity can be generated./Many fruits
grow in Balochistan including melons, peaches, grapes, apples, dates,
pomegranates, peaches and plums./ The economy can be boosted by exporting
these fruits to Gulf countries./ Since Balochistan’s climate is favorable more
vegetable seeds should be grown there./ By increasing the livestock and its
products using scientific means because wool and goat skins have high demand
in the global market./ Moreover, the export of fish can also be increased by
using modern technology at Gwadar, Ormara, and Pasni for fishing./ The
Gawadar Sea Port development can also help in the development of the
economy.
 More on balochistan plateau
Shortcoming:

• The weather in Balochistan is extreme and dry making the working

condition unfavorable.

• Balochistan has the lowest population density.

• There are not enough skilled individuals and the workforce.

• The province has a shortage of water making it difficult to provide

proper irrigation.

• The infrastructure is bad and there are fewer link roads; limiting the
travel and trade.

• The people there are not very educated.

• The landscape is eroded with rugged terrain and ridges making it

impossible to complete projects on time.
 Doabs

• A doab can be found at the confluence of the two rivers i.e. a land.

- Between the river Jhelum and river Sindh, there is Sindh Sagar
Doab.

- Between river Chenab and Jhelum, there is Chaj Doab.

- Between river Ravi and Chenab, there is Rachna Doab.

- Between river Sutlej and Ravi, there is Bari Doab.

Importance of Doabs:
• The terrain is flat there.
• The canal water promotes and supports agriculture.
• Urban settlement can be done without hassle.
• There are links to air, rail and road developed.
• Factories and industrial estates are established.
• Moreover, businesses, markets, and storage of raw materials of
agriculture are provided.
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Doab
* Area between two rivers water
¢ Examples:
* Chaj between J(Jhelum) and Ch
(Chenab)
* Sindh Sagar between J(Jhelum) and I
(Indus)
rachna between ch(Chenab) and R ( Ravi)
¢ Bari between R ( Ravi) and S/B
(Sutlej/Beas)
 Indus plain
Active Flood Plains:
• ‘Bet" or ‘Khaddar" is a narrow strip of land on both sides of the river.
• It is flooded almost every year.

• When the season of rain concludes, alluvium can be found in its dry and
braided channels.

The Old Flood Plains:

• It is the area between the terraces of alluvial and active flood plains.
• When there is heavy rainfall only then it is flooded.

• Ox-bows abandoned channels and meander scars can be found on these

plains.

Topography of UIP and LIP Drainage of UIP and LIP

¢ Flat land ¢ Indus has many tributaries
° Low hills / cuestas ¢ Indus has 4 eastern tributaries
* AFP/OFP (large)
* Doabs (Sindh Sagar, Chaj, Rachna & ¢ Mainly Indus itself
Bari) ¢ Indus has many western tributaries
* Bar uplands ¢ More water contributed by
¢ Rolling sand dunes thar desert tributaries in UIP
¢ Alluvial fans/ piedmont plains * Ox- bow lakes, meanders and
braided channels
¢ Indus delta in LIP
¢ Less width (1.4 — 1.6 km) in UIP
¢ More width (1.6km) LIP

For extra info:

 Topographical Features
of The Indus Plain
Alluvial Terraces: Tidal Delta:
• These are areas of high grounds. • It is located in the south of
• They formed by old alluvium Thatta.
erosion. • It is triangular (fan) shaped.
• They are also known as ‘Scalloped • The distributaries branch out
Interfluves’.
from it like ribs.
• They can be found in Bari, Rachna
• It has mangrove swamps and
and Chaj Doab in the Upper Indus
tidal flats.
Plain.
• The land is frequently exposed
• The alluvial terraces are ideal for
to seawater.
agriculture.
• The land is mostly covered in
swamps limiting agriculture.
Piedmont Plains • Poor infrastructure results in
less industrial and commercial
• They are formed in the rainy
activities.
season when streams and rivers • The undeveloped road makes
deposit alluvium at the foot of the it difficult to transport in heavy
mountain. vehicles.
• The frequent tropical cyclones
• They support agriculture too. damages shanty homes,
agriculture, and fishing.
• They are also known as Derajat. • These features of the Indus
Delta have resulted in a low-
• These rivers deposits alluvium, density population.
sand, and gravel.

• These can be found at Himalayan

Mountain, Kirthar and Sulaiman.
Rolling Sand Plains:
• Rolling sand plains are usually found in desert areas because sand dunes
are a feature of deserts.

• In deserts, the wind blows and changes landscape frequently which

results in sand dunes.

Cuestas:
• These can be found in the Lower Indus Plains.

• In Sindh, these are limestone made ridges.

• The ridges support the construction of barrages and irrigation

Indus Delta
¢ When river Indus reaches near Arabian sea it slows down
¢ Throws sediments etc
¢ Makes distributaries
¢ With swamps / marshy areas
¢ Salty water due to sea water
¢ Mangroves
¢ Drain into the sea
 Deserts
• There are three desert areas in Pakistan:

- Between river Jhelum and River Indus, there is the Thal Desert
which is also known as Sindh Sagar Doab.

- In the south-eastern part of Pakistan, there is the Thar Desert.

This desert can further categorize into Tharparkar, Nara, and the
Cholistan.

- The Kharan Desert can be located in the western Balochistan.

TOPOGRAPHY: Features of the Deserts:

* Flat land
* Rolling sand dunes • There is water scarcity because
* Latitudinal’ longitudinal in shape of low rainfall.
* Upto 150m high
* Bare rock/ barren • There are fast blowing winds that
frequently change the desert.

DRAINAGE: • Rolling stone dunes, lack of

vegetation and rocks are other
* Seasonal ' temporary main features.
* Inland
* Mostly ponds or small lakes/
oasis