Lucknow: the fertile soils of the Indo-Gangetic Plainone of the most productive agricultural regions on the planet, owe their abundance to the Himalayas and the ongoing process of chemical alteration (rock breaking).
This remarkable connection between the imposing mountain range and the rich plains was highlighted by Peter D. Clift of University College London during the 104th Foundation Week celebrations at the Geology Department of the University of Lucknow on Tuesday .
Clift explained that the Himalayas, as one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world, acts as a perpetual source of sediment (natural material broken down by the processes of weathering and erosion).
Rivers like the Ganges and Indus erode and transport these sediments downstream, depositing them across the vast Indo-Gangetic plain. Over time, this sedimentation process enriched the soil, creating a fertile landscape that supported civilizations for thousands of years.
“The process begins with chemical weathering in the Himalayas, caused by heavy monsoon rains. Heavier monsoon rains increase chemical weathering,” Clift said, adding: “They erode previously weathered soils, redistributing this nutrient-rich material.”
This weathering not only destroys rocks, but also releases minerals and nutrients essential for plant growth, which are transported downstream and deposited across the plains.
The conference highlighted the importance of understanding these geological processes, not only to appreciate the region’s rich agricultural history, but also to ensure its sustainability.
Professor Dhruv Sen Singh, head of the department of geology, University of Lucknow, explained the importance of the Himalayas as a “geological powerhouse”.
Professor Mahesh G Thakkar, Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow, as well as Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun; Dean of Research, University of Lucknow, Prof. MM Verma and Additional Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Geological Survey of India, Northern Region, Rajinder Kumar also spoke on the occasion.