<P> The Chhota Nagpur Plateau consists of three steps . The highest step is in the western part of the plateau, where pats, as a plateau is locally called, are 910 to 1,070 metres (3,000 to 3,500 ft) above sea level . The highest point is 1,164 metres (3,819 ft). The next part contains larger portions of the old Ranchi and Hazaribagh districts and some parts of old Palamu district, before these were broken up into smaller administrative units . The general height is 610 metres (2,000 ft). The topography in undulating with prominent gneissic hills, often dome - like in outline . The lowest step of the plateau is at an average level of around 300 metres (1,000 ft). It covers the old Manbhum and Singhbhum districts . High hills are a striking part of this section - Parasnath Hills rise to a height of 1,370 metres (4,480 ft) and Dalma Hills to 1,038 metres (3,407 ft). The large plateau is subdivided into several small plateaux or sub plateaux . </P> <P> The western plateau with an average elevation of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above mean sea level merges into the plateau of Surguja district of Chhattisgarh . The flat topped plateaux, locally known as pats are characterized by level surface and accordance of their summit levels shows they are part of one large plateau . Examples include Netarhat Pat, Jamira Pat, Khamar Pat, Rudni Pat etc . The area is also referred to as Western Ranchi Plateau . It is believed to be composed of Deccan lava . </P> <P> It is the largest part of the Chhota Nagpur Plateau . The elevation of the plateau land in this part is about 700 m (2,300 ft) and gradually slopes down towards south - east into the hilly and undulating region of Singhbhum (earlier Singhbhum district or what is now Kolhan division). The plateau is highly dissected . Damodar River originates here and flows through a rift valley . To the north it is separated from the Hazaribagh plateau by the Damodar trough . To the west is a group of plateaux called pat </P> <P> There are many waterfalls at the edges of Ranchi plateau where rivers coming from over the plateau surface form waterfalls when they descend through the precipitous escarpments of the plateau and enter the area of significantly lower height . The North Karo River has formed a 17 m (56 ft) high Pheruaghaugh Falls at the southern margin of Ranchi plateau . Such falls are called scarp falls . Hundru Falls (75 m) on Subarnarekha River near Ranchi, Dassam Falls (39.62 m) on Kanchi River, east of Ranchi, Sadni Falls (60 m) on Sankh River (Ranchi plateau) are examples of scarp falls . Sometimes waterfalls of various dimensions are formed when tributary streams join the master stream from great height forming hanging valleys . At Rajrappa (10 m), the Bhera river coming over from the Ranchi plateau hangs above the Damodar River at its point of confluence with the latter . The Jonha Falls (25.9 m) is another example of this category of falls . In fact the Gunga River hangs over its master stream, Raru River (to the east of Ranchi city) and forms the said falls . </P>

What is the importance of chota nagpur plateau