geographic region that composes part of the Lower Ganges (Ganga) Plains in northern West Bengal state, eastern India. The alluvial plains, with an area of about 12,400 square miles (32,000 square km), are essentially flat, except in the mountainous northern area. Moist deciduous forests of sal (Shorea robusta), champac, and acacia are frequently found, together with bamboo, laurels, orchids, and giant creepers. The dense forests in the north provide sanctuary for the one-horned Indian rhinoceroses (found particularly in the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary), elephants, and tigers. The Bhagirathi, Damodar, and Ajay rivers meander across the plains.

The regional economy is mostly agricultural (cereal grains, pulses 【legumes】, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, betel nuts, date palms, and tea). The Raniganj coalfields, some of the country's largest, and adjacent deposits of iron ore, copper, lead, and zinc are used by the major iron and steel industrial complexes near Asansol and Durgapur. Other industries produce cotton and silk textiles, jute, paper, chemicals, fertilizers, gauges, bicycles, locomotives, and motorboats. Durgapur, Asansol, Burdwan, Bankura, Midnapore, and Siuri are the chief cities and towns and are linked by roads and railways.