What are the distinct Features of Climatic Zones?

Zone 1 – Western Himalayan Region

• Encompasses Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Kumaun-Garhwal areas of Uttarakhand.
• Varied relief with mild summers (July: 5°C-30°C) and severe winters (January: 0°C to -4°C).
• Annual rainfall averages 150 cm, leading to diverse vegetation along hill slopes.
• Valleys have thick alluvium, hill slopes have thin brown hilly soils.
• Perennial streams from high rainfall and snow-covered peaks provide irrigation and hydel power.
• Key crops: maize, wheat, potato, barley, apples, and pears in select areas.

Zone 2 – Eastern Himalayan Region

• Includes Sikkim, Darjeeling (West Bengal), Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and other north eastern states.
• Rugged terrain, thick forests, sub-humid climate (July: 25°C-33°C, January: 11°C-24°C).
• Brownish, thick-layered, less fertile soil.
• Shifting cultivation in one-third of the area, with food crops for sustenance.
• Main crops: rice, potato, maize, tea, oranges, pineapple, and other fruits.

Zone 3 – Lower Gangetic Plains Region

• Covers eastern Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam valley.
• Annual rainfall: 100 cm-200 cm, July temperature: 26°C-41°C, January: 9°C-24°C.
• Adequate groundwater, high water table; irrigation via wells and canals.
• Main crop: rice (Aman, Aus, Boro), also jute, maize, potato, and pulses.

Zone 4 – Middle Gangetic Plains Region

• Includes eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• Fertile alluvial plain with Ganga River and its tributaries.
• Annual rainfall: 100 cm-200 cm, July temperature: 26°C-41°C, January: 9°C-24°C.
• Utilizes groundwater and surface runoff for irrigation.
• Main crops: rice, maize, millets, wheat, gram, barley, and potato.

Zone 5 – Upper Gangetic Plains Region

• Encompasses central and western parts of Uttar Pradesh.
• Sub-humid continental climate, July temperature: 26°C-41°C, January: 7°C-23°C.
• Sandy loam soil; high irrigation and cropping intensity.
• Main crops: wheat, rice, sugarcane, millets, maize, gram, and cotton.

Zone 6 – Trans-Gangetic Plains Region

• Includes Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Ganganagar district of Rajasthan.
• Semi-arid climate, July temperature: 26°C-42°C, January: 7°C-22°C.
• Relies on private tube wells and canals for irrigation.
• Main crops: wheat, sugarcane, cotton, rice, gram, maize, millets, and oilseeds.

Zone 7 – Eastern Plateau and Hills Region

• Comprises Chotanagpur plateau, Rajmahal Hills, Chhattisgarh plains, and Dandakaranya.
• Rainfed agriculture, red and yellow soils.
• Annual rainfall: 80 cm-150 cm, July temperature: 26°C-34°C, January: 10°C-27°C.
• Crops: rice, millets, maize, oilseeds, ragi, gram, and potato.

Zone 8 – Central Plateau and Hills Region

• Spans Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand, Bhander plateau, Malwa plateau, and Vindhyachal hills.
• Semi-arid to sub-humid climate, July temperature: 26°C-40°C, January: 7°C-24°C.
• Mixed red, yellow, and black soils; limited water resources.
• Crops: millets, gram, barley, wheat, cotton, and sunflower.

Zone 9 – Western Plateau and Hills Region

• Includes parts of Malwa plateau and Deccan plateau (Maharashtra).
• Hot climate, July temperature: 24°C-41°C, January: 6°C-23°C.
• Limited irrigation, notable for oranges, grapes, and bananas.
• Crops: jowar, cotton, sugarcane, rice, bajra, wheat, gram, and oilseeds.

Zone 10 – Southern Plateau and Hills Region:

• Covers southern Maharashtra, Karnataka, western Andhra Pradesh, and northern Tamil Nadu.
• Semi-arid climate, July temperature: 26°C-42°C, January: 13°C-21°C.
• Low cropping intensity, major crops: coffee, tea, cardamom, spices, rice, and millets.

Zone 11 – East Coast Plains and Hills Region:

• Includes Coromandel and Northern Circar coastal plains.
• Sub-humid maritime climate, May and January temperatures: 26°C-32°C and 20°C-29°C respectively.
• Alluvial, loam, and clay soils; alkalinity issue.
• Main crops: rice, jute, tobacco, sugarcane, maize, and groundnut.

Zone 12 – West Coast Plains and Ghats Region

• Covers Malabar and Konkan coasts and Sahyadris.
• Humid climate, annual rainfall above 200 cm.
• Notable for plantation crops, spices, rice, coconut, and oilseeds.

Zone 13 – Gujarat Plains and Hills Region

• Includes Kathiawar and valleys of Mahi and Sabarmati rivers.
• Arid to semi-arid climate, July temperature: 26°C-42°C, January: 13°C-29°C.
• Crops: groundnut, cotton, rice, millets, oilseeds, wheat, and tobacco.

Zone 14 – Western Dry Region

• Encompasses western Rajasthan.
• Hot sandy desert climate, erratic rainfall (less than 25 cm annually).
• Sparse vegetation, high evaporation; main crops: bajra, jowar, wheat, and gram.

Zone 15 – The Islands Region

• Includes Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
• Equatorial climate, annual rainfall below 300 cm.
• Main crops: rice, maize, millets, pulses, coconut, and areca nut.

Agro Climatic Zones in India: For the development of resources, the country has been divided into fifteen agricultural regions which are based on agro-climatic features, which include soil type, climate which includes temperature as well as rainfall, and also variations based on the available water resources. It is an extension of the climate classifications while keeping in mind the sustainability of agriculture.

In this article, we will learn about various agro-climatic zones in India!