Unit 1: Himalayan Regional Geography

HIMALAYA1. N PHYSIOGRAPHY ..........8Trans Himalayas1. ....................................8The Himalayas2. ......................................9Important Passes of Himalayas3. ............. 14Signifi cance of Himalayas4. ..................... 15

HIMALAYAN DRAINAGE2. SYSTEM ... 18Indus River System1. .............................. 18The Ganga River System2. ...................... 20Brahmaputra River System3. ................... 23

HIMALAYAN CLIMATE3. SYSTEM ..... 25Seasonal Rhythm1. ................................. 25Annual Rainfall2. ................................... 27

HIMALAYAN NATURAL4. VEGETATION & WILDLIFE .............. 29

Natural Vegetation1. ............................... 29Major Forest Products2. .......................... 29Minor Forest Products3. .......................... 29Indirect uses of forests4. ........................ 30Vegetation Division of Himalayas5. ........... 30Wildlife6. .............................................. 32

HIMALAYAN SOILS5. ....................... 34Major Soils found in Himalayan Region1. ... 34Soil erosion2. ........................................ 34

HIMALAYA6. N BIOTIC RESOURCES ................................ 36

Livestock1. ........................................... 36Cattle2. ................................................ 36Buffaloes3. ........................................... 36Sheep4. ................................................ 37

Pig5. .................................................... 37Horses and Ponies6. ............................... 37Goat7. .................................................. 37Wool8. .................................................. 37Sericulture9. ......................................... 38Fisheries10. ............................................ 38Apiculture (Bee Keeping)11. ...................... 38

DEMOGRAPHY OF7. HIMALAYAN REGION .................... 39

Population Growth in Himalayan 1. Region ............................................... 39Western Himalayas2. .............................. 39Eastern Himalayan3. ............................... 41

HIMALAYAN SYSTE8. M POPULATION COMPOSITION ............................. 44

Ethnic composition of Himalayan 1. region ................................................ 44Scheduled Castes2. ................................ 45Distribution of SCs in Himalayan region3. .. 45Tribal population in Himalayan region4. ..... 45Distribution of STs in Himalayan region5. ... 46Tribal Economy6. ................................... 46Languages and Dialects used 7. in Himalayan region ............................ 47Religious Composition8. ......................... 47Literacy in Himalayan Region9. ................ 48Migration10. ........................................... 49Internal Migration in Himalayan region11. .... 50

HIMALAYAN AGRICULTURE9. ........... 51Crop combination in the Himalayan 1. region ................................................ 51Dryland Farming in Himalayan region2. ...... 51

CONTENTS

Unit II: Regional Geography of Northern Plains

Agro-Climatic Region of Himalayas3. ........ 51

MINERAL RESOURCES 10. IN HIMALAYAN REGION ................ 53

Metallic Minerals1. ................................. 53

Non Metallic Minerals2. .......................... 54

ENERGY RESOURCES11. IN HIMALAYAS ............................. 55

Conventional Sources of Energy1. ............. 55

Non Conventional Energy Sources2. .......... 55

Recent Developments3. ........................... 56Himalayan springs .................................56Natiwar Mori Hydro Electricity Project .....57Kishanganga Hydro Electricity Project ....57

Pakal Dul Project ...................................58Turga Pumped Storage Project ...............58Renuka dam ..........................................59Lower Kalnai hydropower project ............59

HIMALAYAN NATURAL12. HAZARDS & DISASTERS ............................... 60

Major Natural Hazards and 1. Disasters in Himalayas ......................... 60

Earthquakes2. ....................................... 60

Droughts3. ............................................ 61

Floods4. ............................................... 61

Cloudburst5. ......................................... 62

Landslides6. .......................................... 62

Avalanches7. ......................................... 63

THE GREAT PLAIN OF1. NORTH INDIA .......................................... 66

Origin of the Plain1. ............................... 66Geomorphology of the Plain 2. ................. 66Regional Division of Plains3. .................... 67Signifi cance of the Plain4. ....................... 69

IMPORTANT RIVER WATER2. PROJECTS & DAMS IN NORTHERN PLAIN ......................................... 71

INDIAN MONSOON &3. CLIMATIC REGIONS OF INDIA ....................... 73

Introduction1. ........................................ 73Traditional Theory2. ............................... 73Dynamic Theory3. .................................. 74Factors Affecting Indian Monsoon4. .......... 74Theory of Bursting Monsoon5. ................. 79Rainfall Pattern in India6. ........................ 81Climatic Regions of India7. ...................... 83Recent Developments8. ........................... 85

India International Cherry Blossom Festival-2018 ...........................85

Soils9. .................................................. 87

SOILS OF GREAT NORTHERN 4. PLAINS ....................................... 87

Soil erosion in the Great Plains1. .............. 89

Desertifi cation2. .................................... 90

NATURAL VEGETATION& 5. WILDLIFE OF GREAT NORTHERN PLAIN ......................................... 91

Forest Products1. ................................... 92

Social Forestry2. .................................... 92

Wild Life3. ............................................ 93

National Parks4. .................................... 94

Biosphere Reserves5. ............................. 94

Cattle6. ................................................ 96

Buffaloes7. ........................................... 96

Sheep8. ................................................ 96

BIOTIC RESOURCES OF GREAT 6. NORTHERN PLAINS ...................... 96

Goats1. ................................................ 97

Horses, Ponies, Donkey & Mules2. ............ 97

Camel3. ................................................ 97

Livestock Products4. .............................. 97

Unit III: Regional Geography Peninsular India

Fisheries5. ............................................ 97

DEMOGRAPHY OF THE7. GREAT NORTHERN PLAINS ........... 98

Factors Governing Distribution of 1. population .......................................... 99

Literacy in the Great Northern Plains 2. ... 101

Work3. ............................................... 101

Coal4. ................................................ 105

Petroleum or Mineral Oil 5. .................... 105

Pipelines 6. ......................................... 105

ENERGY RESOURCES 8. IN GREAT NORTHERN PLAINS ..... 105

Natural Gas 1. ...................................... 108

Electricity2. ........................................ 109

Non conventional Energy Sources 3. ........ 109

Recent Developments4. ......................... 110Mohar Reservoir Project .......................110Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project ................110North Koel reservoir project ..................111

Bansagar canal project ........................112

G9. REAT NORTHERN PLAINS-LAND UTILIZATION & AGRICULTURE ........................... 113

Land Use1. .......................................... 113

Agriculture2. ....................................... 113

Crop Combination of Northern Plains3. .... 115

Food Crops4. ....................................... 115

Cash Crops5. ....................................... 116

Oil Seeds6. ......................................... 117

Agro Climatic Regions7. ........................ 118

Case study of Green Revolution8. ........... 118

Metalic Minerals9. ............................... 123

Non- Metallic Minerals10. ....................... 123

MINERAL RESOURCES IN GREAT 10. NORTHERN PLAINS .................... 123

Earthquakes1. ..................................... 126

Droughts2. .......................................... 126

NATURAL HAZARDS &11. DISASTERS IN GREAT NORTHERN PLAINS ..... 126

Floods1. ............................................. 127

THE PENINSULAR PLATEAU1. COASTAL PLAINS AND ISLANDS . 130

Peninsular Plateau1. ............................ 130

Coastal Plains2. ................................... 133

The Indian Islands3. ............................. 134

DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF 2. PENINSULAR INDIA .................... 136

Origin of Peninsular Drainage1. .............. 136

West fl owing rivers2. ............................ 136

East Flowing Rivers3. ............................ 139

Waterfalls in Peninsular India4. .............. 142

WATER RESOURCES AND IRRIGATION5. ... 143

Irrigation6. .......................................... 144

Multipurpose Projects7. ........................ 145

Recent Developments8. ......................... 146Mahadayi River water sharing dispute ...146Polavaram multi-purpose project ..........146Mekedatu dam project .........................147Par-Tapi-Narmada inter-state river link project ..........................................148

CLIMATE OF PENINSULAR3. INDIA . 149Factors Infl uencing the Climate of 1. Peninsular India ................................ 149Seasonal Rhythm of Monsoon 2. in Peninsular India ............................. 149Annual Rainfall in the Peninsula India3. ... 151Climatic Regions of Peninsular India4. .... 152

SOILS OF PENINSULAR INDIA4. ..... 155Soil Erosion1. ...................................... 157

NATURAL VEGETATION & WILDLIFE 5. OF PENINSULAR INDIA ............... 159

Natural Vegetation1. ............................. 159

Geographical Distribution of 2. Forest Area ...................................... 160

Forest Products3. ................................. 161

Wildlife4. ............................................ 162

Biosphere Reserves5. ........................... 165

DEMOGRAPHY OF6. PENINSULAR INDIA ........................................ 166

Population1. ........................................ 166

Sex ratio in the Peninsular India2. ........... 168

Child population3. ................................ 169

Child Sex Ratio4. ................................. 169

Literacy in the peninsular India5. ............ 170

Work participation6. ............................. 170

Languages and Dialects of 7. Peninsular India ................................ 171

Religious Composition8. ....................... 171

Ethnic Composition9. ............................ 171

Scheduled Castes10. .............................. 172

Scheduled Tribes11. ............................... 172

PENINSULAR INDIA-LAND 7. UTILIZATION & AGRICULTURE ..... 174

Land Utilization1. ................................. 174

Major Crops2. ...................................... 175

CASH CROPS3. .................................... 176

OILSEEDS4. ......................................... 176

PLANTATION CROPS5. .......................... 177

SPICES6. ............................................ 177

Horticulture7. ...................................... 178

Biotic and Marine Resources8. ............... 178

Agro- Climatic Regions of Peninsular 9. India ................................................ 179

Recent Developments10. ......................... 180

Kaleswaram project .............................180

Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project ............181

MINERAL RESOURCES IN 8. PENINSULAR INDIA .................... 182

Non Metallic Minerals1. ........................ 183

Energy Resources2. .............................. 184

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN 9. PENINSULAR INDIA .................... 186

Metallurgical Industries1. ...................... 186

Textile Industries2. .............................. 186

Metallurgical Industries3. ...................... 186

Engineering Industries4. ....................... 187

Industrial Regions5. ............................. 188

TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION 10. IN PENINSULAR INDIA ................ 190

Railways1. .......................................... 190

Metro Rail2. ........................................ 190

Roadways3. ......................................... 190

Air Transport4. .................................... 191

Water Transport5. ................................ 191

Shipping6. .......................................... 191

MISCELLANEOUS11. ....................... 193Recent Developments1. ......................... 193

National Water Awards ........................193

National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) .............................................193

Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS) .....194

Uranium contamination in groundwater from aquifers across 16 states in India .195

PLACES IN NEWS2. .............................. 195

UNIT

1

HIMALAYAN REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY

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HIMALAYANPHYSIOGRAPHY

The Himalayas form the highest mountain range in the world, extending 2,500 km over northern India. Bounded by the Indus River in the west and the Brahmaputra river in the east. The three parallel ranges, the Himadri, Himachal and Shivaliks have deep canyons gorged by the rivers fl owing into the Gangetic plain.

Northern Mountain complex can be divided into two parts. Geographically Himalayas and trans Himalayas are separate entities.

Parts of Northern Mountain ComplexTrans Himalayas

The Himalayas

The Eastern or Purvanchal Hills

Trans Himalayas

Formation When Indian plate subducted beneath the Eurassian plate, continent ocean convergence took place which led to subduction of oceanic plate. This resulted into the formation of andesitic rock on the margins of plate. This range formed is known as Karakoram range.

LocationIt is situated to the north of the Great Himalayas. It has Karakoram Ladakh, Zaskar and Kailash mountain range. The Karakoram range is called the backbone of high Asia.

The mountainous complexities of the Himalayan region can be understood in a simple way with the help of the given fi gure. The Indus river fl ows between Zaskar and Ladakh ranges. It creates the deep gorge in India (5200 m deep) by cutting Ladakh range at the place named Bunzi.

Main ranges:Zaskar range (India)

Ladakh range (India)

Karakoram range (India/Pakistan/China)

Kailash range (in Tibet)

Zaskar range

Nanga Parbat (8126 m) and Deosai mountain are important parts of it.

Situated on the western part of the Greater Himalaya and to the south of Trans Himalaya.

It is part of the Tethys Himalayas. It extends from Uttaranchal to Jammu and Kashmir.

1CHAPTER

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Ladakh Range It is about 300 km long and its average elevation is 5800 m. Rakaposhi – Harmosh ranges are extension of it. South of Ladakh range Indus originates & meets with ‘Shyok River’.

Karakoram range Northern most range of trans-Himalayan ranges are called Karakoram range. They are known as Krishnagiri range. It acts as frontier between India & China.Extend from the Pamir, east of the Gilgit River, 600 km long and the average width - 120-140 km.Abode of largest glaciers in India. Siachen, Baltoro, Biafo, and Hisper glaciers. Highest peak (in India): K 2 or Godwin Austen (8611 m).Other important Peaks: Gasherbrum I or Hidden Peak, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II. In the northern limit of Karakoram range lies the Pamir, the Aghil Mountains, and the Yarkand River and in the southern limit lies the River Indus and its tributary Shyok.

Kailash range It is also called Gangdise in Chinese. Kailash range is offshoot of Ladakh range. Highest peak is mount Kailash (6714 m). Indus river originates from northern slope of Kailash range.

The Himalayas

FormationHimalayas are formed after the collision of continental crust of Indian plate and Eurasian plate. It has been formed due to folding of sediments of ancient tethys sea. This process of plate tectonics is ongoing, and the gradual northward drift of the Indian subcontinent still causes earthquakes. Lesser ranges lie just southward from the main body of the Himalayas at both the eastern and western ends.The Himalayan system, about 2,400 kilometers in length and varying in width from 240 to 330 kilometers, is made up of three parallel ranges collectively called as the Great Himalayan Range.

The Greater Himalayas The Lesser Himalayas, and The Outer Himalayas

The Greater Himalayas or Himadri has an average elevation of approximately 6,000 meters in height and contain the highest mountains on earth. Mount Everest (8,848 meters) on the China-Nepal border is the highest peak of the World.Many major mountains, such as Kanchenjunga (8598 m), Lhotse (8501m), Makalu (8481m), Dhaulagiri(8172m), Mansalu(8481m), Cho Oyu (8153m) and Nanga Parbat are part of the Greater Himalaya. Kanchenjunga, is the highest peak of greater Himalayas in India.

The snow line averages 4,500 to 6,000 meters on the southern side of the Greater Himalayas and 5,500 to 6,000 on the northern side. Because of climatic conditions, the snow line in the eastern Himalayas averages 4,300 meters, while in the western Himalayas it averages 5,800 meters.

Location of ranges of Trans Himalayas from North to South

Karakoram range N Kailash range (Tibet) Ladakh range Zaskar range S

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Important Peaks of Greater Himalayas

Peaks Height Country/States

Mount Everest 8850m Nepal

Kanchenjunga 8598m India

Lhotse 8501m Nepal-China

Makalu 8481m Nepal-China Border

Dhaulagiri 8172m Nepal

Manaslu 8156m Nepal

Cho oyu 8153m Nepal/China Border

Nanga Parbat 8126m Jammu & Kashmir/India

Annapurna 8091m Nepal

Gosainath 8008m Tibet, China

Pangma 8013m China/Tibet

Nandadevi 7816m India/Uttarakhand

Kamet 7756m India/Uttarakhand

Namcha Barwa 7756m India

Gurla Mandhata 7728m Nepal

The Lesse r Himalayas or Middle Himalayas or Himachal is located in north- western India in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, in north-central India in the state of Sikkim, and in north-eastern India in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, ranges from 1,500 to 5,000 meters in height.

Ranges such as Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, Nag Tibba, Musoorie, Mahabharata Lekh, Kumaon Hills, are part of Middle Himalayas. Many important valleys such as Kashmir valley, Kulu valley and Kangra valley is located in this range.

Middle Himalayas are marked by meadows which are called ‘Bugyal’or ‘Payar’ in Uttarakhand and ‘Marg’ in Kashmir. Ex: Gulmarg and Sonmarg are such meadows.

Many doons or duns are found in middle Himalayas such as Dehradun, Jammu dun, and Pathankot dun.

The Outer or Southern Himalayas, averaging 900 to 1,200 meters in elevation, lie between the Lesser Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic Plain. In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, this southernmost range is often referred to as the Shiwalik Hills. They are dissected and are not continuous in nature. Jammu hills, Dafl a, Miri , Abhor, Mishmi and Churia Ghat Hills (Nepal) are part of the outer Himalayas. Dhang and Dudhwa Range of Nepal are part of Shiwaliks.

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Eastern Hills or PoorvanchalPoorvanchal hills are eastern hills which formed during the formation of Himalayas. They form discontinuous ranges from North to South. Hills of Poorvanchal include Patkai Bum (Arunachal Pradesh), Naga Hills (Nagaland), Manipur Hills (Manipur), Mizo Hills (Mizoram), Tripura hills (Tripura), Barail range (Assam) and Mikir Hills (Assam). The Purvanchal Mountains are composed largely of strong sandstone geological formations.

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Features of Himalyan Ranges

Himalayan syntaxial Bend:

Due to strong push of Aravalli and Assam hills, the weak region of middle Himalayas was pushed and pressed, due to which it became convex shaped which seemed to be hinged at Nanga Parbat (Jammu And Kashmir) and Namcha Barwa (Arunachal Pradesh). This bend is called Himalayan Syntaxial bend.

Uneven slopes

Himalayan southern slopes (Indian side) is less steeper than northern slope (China side). This causes great difference in diversity of fl ora and fauna on both sides. Indian side is more biologically diverse than Chinese side, which makes it habitable. A large numbers of glaciers rest on southern slope of Himalayas.

Regional Divisions of the HimalayasThe Punjab/Himalaya (560 km long between the Indus and the Satluj rivers)

The Kumaun Himalaya (320 km long between the Satluj and the Kali rivers),

The Nepal Himalaya (800 km long between the Kali and the Tista rivers).

The Assam Himalaya (720 km long between the Tista and Brahmaputra rivers).

Regional division of Himalayas

Division Name Location Length

Punjab Himalayas Between Indus and Satluj rivers 560 km

Kumaon Himalayas Between Satluj and Kali rivers 320 km

Nepal Himalayas Between Kali & Tista river 800 km

Assam Himalayas Between Tista & Brahamputra River 720 km

*See Figure on next page

Longitudinal Division of Himalayas

Division Name Location Length

The western HimalayasBetween the Indus river to Kali river

In States of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

880 km

Himalayan Syntaxial Bend

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The central HimalayasBetween Kali river and Tista river

It extends from Nepal to Sikkim 800 km

The Eastern HimalayasBetween the Tista and the Brahamputra

It extends from Arunachal Pradesh to Bhutan 720 km

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Important Passes of Himalayas

Jammu and Kashmir Mintaka Pass - It lies near the tri-junction of India-China and Afghanistan border and joins north Kashmir with China.Banihal Pass - It is situated at an elevation of 2832 m across the Pir-Panjal Range. It remains snow covered during winter season and cannot be used as a transport route in that season. To provide round-the-year transport facilities between Jammu in South and Srinagar in the north, a tunnel named as The Jawahar Tunnel (after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the fi rst prime minister of India) was inaugurated in December, 1956. Another 11 km long tunnel provides railways link between Banihal and Kazigund. It was thrown open to railway transport in July, 2013.Khardung La - This pass is situated at an altitude of 5602 m near Leh in the Ladakh range. Te world’s highest motorable road passes through this pass. However, this road remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall.Lanak La - Located near the border between India and China at an altitude exceeding fi ve thousand meters in the Akasai-Chin area of Jammu and Kashmir, this pass provides passage between Ladakh and Lhasa. A road to connect Xinjiang Province with Tibet has been constructed by the Chinese.Pir-Panjal - Lying across the Pir Panjal range, it had been a traditional pass on the road and provides the shortest and the easiest metalled road between Jammu and Kashmir Valley. But this route had to be closed down as a result of partition of the subcontinent.Zoji La - It is located at an altitude of 3850 m above sea level and provides an important road link between Srinagar on one side and Kargil and Leh on the other side. The road passing through this pass has been designated as National Highway (NH-1 D). Border Road Organization (BRO) is responsible for maintaining the road and clearing it off snow during winter. In spite of all these efforts, the road through this pass remains closed from December to mid-May.

Himachal Pradesh Bara Lacha La - This mountain pass is situated at an altitude of 4883 m and provides passage between Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. National highway connecting Mandi in Himachal Pradesh with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir passes through this pass. Being situated at high altitude, it remains snow covered in winter and is not used as a transport route.Debas Pass - Situated at an elevation of 5270 m above sea level in the Greater Himalayas, it provides a link between Kullu and Lahul and Spiti districts. It offers a much easier and shorter alternative route to traditional Pin-Parbati Pass route between Kullu and Spiti. Rohtang Pass - It is located at an altitude of 3979 m and provides road link between Kullu, Lahul and Spiti Valleys. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is responsible for constructing and maintaining roads in this area. Rohtang pass is a great tourist attraction and traffi c jams are very common because this route is widely used by military, public and private vehicles.

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Shipki La - It is located at the Indo-China border at an altitude of over 5669 m in Kinnaur district provides a road connection between Himachal Pradesh and Tibet. It remains snow bound for most of the winter season and is not available for transport. River Satluj enters India near this pass.

Uttarakhand Lipu Lekh - Situated near the trijunction of Uttarakhand (India), Tibet (China) and Nepal borders, in Pithoragarh district, it provides a link between Uttarakhand and Tibet. This pass is used by pilgrim to Kailash-Mansarovar. Use of this pass becomes diffi cult due to landslides in the rainy season and avalanches in the winter season.Mana Pass - Situated a little north of the holy place of Badrinath at an elevation of 5610 m near the indo-China border in the Greater Himalayas, this pass connects Uttarakhand with Tibet. It remains closed for six winter months in the year due to heavy snowfall. Mangsha Dhura - Situated at an Altitude of over fi ve thousand meters at the Indo-China border in the Greater Himalayas in Pithoragarh district, this pilgrims going to Kailash-Mansarovar. Landslides during the rainy season and avalanches during the winter season pose great threat to pilgrims using of this route. Niti Pass - Located at an altitude of 5068 m at the Indo-China border across the Greater Himalayas, this pass joins Uttarakhand with Tibet. It remains snow covered and hence closed to traffi c from November to mid-May.

Sikkim Nathu La - Situated at an altitude of 4310 m on the Indo-China border, it forms part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Route. It connects Sikkim with Tibet and is an important trade route between India and China. It was closed after the Chinese aggression on India in 1962 but was reopened in 2006 as the governments of the two countries decided to enhance their trade through land routes. Jelep La - It lies at the Sikkim-Bhutan border at an altitude of 4538 m and passes through Chumbi Valley. This pass provides an important link between Sikkim and Lhasa.

Arunachal Pradesh Bom Di La - Situated at an altitude of 4331 m near the eastern boundary of Bhutan in the Greater Himalayas, this pass connects Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa. It is snowbound in winter and remains closed for traffi c. Dihang pass - Situated at an elevation of more than 4000 m it provides passage between Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar.

Signifi cance of Himalayas

Tourist Abode The Himalaya exercise a dominating infl uence on the meteorological conditions of India as over its physical geography, vitally affecting its air and water circulation system and, through these, the distribution of life. The high snowy ranges have moderating infl uence on the temperature and humidity of northern India. When the neighbouring lands are suffering from scorching heat in summer, the lower and upper ranges of the Himalaya, because of their height, enjoy a very cool and pleasant climate. Owing to the intense heat in the plains, India has developed a number of hill stations, especially on the Siwalkis, which lies at about 2,000-2500 meters except for the minor ones at 1,000-1,600 meters in Central India. These attract a large number of tourists during spring and summer season. The enchanting beauty of the people, the prospects of living in luxurious houseboats, the scenic beauty all round, the facilities for skiing and skating, mountaineering have all conspired together to make Kashmir valley a paradise among the world’s famous tourist resorts. Other valleys of similar importance are the Kishtwar, the Chamba, the Kulu, the Kangra and many others.

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Climatic Infl uence

The Himalaya mountain isolate the deeper interior of Asia from the infl uence of warm air from the south, and it protects India from the cold blizzards generated by the continental winter high pressure system of north eastern and central Asia.To the Himalaya India owes the prominent features of the climate. By reason of its altitude and situation directly in the path of monsoon, it is most favourable condition for the precipitation of all their contained moisture either rash rain or snow. It intercepts the monsoon clouds advancing from the southern seas, and precipitates heavy rains on the India plains.

Birth Place of rivers

Snow fi elds and glaciers of enormous magnitude are nourished on the higher ranges which, together with the rainfall in the middle Himalaya feed a number of perennial rivers which course down to the plains in hundreds of fertilizing tributaries. The Sacred Rivers along with numerous tributaries have their sources here. Without Himalaya, India would have been a bleak country with no big rivers and no rainfall.

Source of Fertile Soil

Running water and forest have been constantly eroding the great Himalaya ranges. This debris, after being removed by numerous rivers, is ultimately deposited over the great plains of northern India. The fertile plains of the Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam have all been the product of this eroded material producing a wide variety of agricultural crops.

Richness of Fauna and Flora

The Himalayan region is very rich in animal and forest resources. In the front of the outer Himalaya lies the Tarai Jungle, the abode of many wild beasts like yak, leopard, bear, and sambhar on the west-panthers and tigers in the central parts; and elephants, tigers and mithuns on the east. These attract a larger number of hunters and provide good game. Besides owing to a variety of climatic conditions the Himalaya is rich in forest resources. On the lower reaches are largely found the tropical and subtropical forests yielding good timber, while on the middle and upper reaches are found the coniferous and deciduous soft and hard woods, yielding wood for match sticks, paper pulp resin, turpentine oil, and various medicinal herbs, etc.

Source of water supply and Hydroelectricity

The Himalaya gives birth to mighty rivers whose waters have been utilized for purposes of irrigation and latterly for power. The Yamuna Canal and the harnessing of the Sutlej and other fi ver Punjab rivers made India dependent more than ever on the resources of the Himalaya. The economy of the Punjab and the western desert region of Rajasthan and western region of U. P. became related to the fl ow of water from these mountains. Now, new centers of pilgrimage are springing up in these parts. These are the sites where large projects (known as the multipurpose schemes) have been and are being developed. The Mandi project was the fi rst attempt in this line; the post independence schemes, the Bhakra Nangal, the Kosi, and the Rihand dam project have the generation of electric power as one of their main purposes. Tons, Ram Ganga, Sharda, Gandak and many other Himalayan rivers are being harnessed. Huge potential of power resources awaits exploitation.

Storehouse of Mineral Resources

The Himalaya region contains commercially valuable minerals. Copper, lead, zinc, bismuth, antimony, nickel, cobalt and tungsten are known to occur in both the eastern and western Himalayan and more than 100 different localities. The Himalaya promise gold, silver and precious and semi precious stones (including sapphires, beryl, and kynite), limestone, bauxite, gypsum, bentonite and magnesite. Coal and petroleum are other mineral fuels founded in the region.

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Other Economic Resources

On the lower slopes of the Himalaya (particularly in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh) green pastures have made sheep and goat rearing an important occupation of the Gadi shepherd, Sericulture is also carried on. Pashmina wool is obtained from Kashmir. With the integration of these areas into larger viable units after India’s Independence, the layout of the roads (Jammu-Srinagar and India Tibet Road) and railways and the establishment of other modes of the communications in this region have paved the way for economic development of some of these regions. By and large, the vast wealth of the Himalayan region lying in is rivers and forests and its minerals, remains yet to be fully exploited.

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