TRIPURA PLAINS

also called Agartala Plains, plains in southwestern Tripura state, northeastern India, extending over approximately 1,600 square miles (4,150 square km). The Tripura Plains are located on a section of the greater Ganges-Brahmaputra lowlands (also called the Eastern Plains), west of the Tripura Hills. They are dotted with lakes and marshes and there is much forest cover. The soil is thin except in the river valleys, but everywhere the tropical sun and torrential rains have leached minerals from the soils. Agriculture is the principal occupation; rice, jute, tea, and cotton are the major crops. Industries include cloth weaving; rice and flour milling; fruit canning; utensil making; cane-, bamboo-, and leather-goods production; and soap manufacture. Tree farming and other horticulture as well as fish farming are practiced. Agartala is the principal town; also important are Belonia and Khowai.