Himalayas in India

Updated on 03-02-2021

Himalayas in India

Himalayas are the lofty mountains in the world which form the northern part of India. The Himalayas separate Indian sub continent from Tibet and the rest of Asia. Himalayas are part of 11 states and Union territories. The states include Jammu Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and West Bengal.

From the thick forest to beautiful valleys with various climatic conditions makes us feel why the Himalayan ranges can be called as heaven on earth. Himalayas in Sanskrit means ‘Hima’ meaning snow ‘Alaya’ meaning temple; temple or abode of snow. Some of the highest mountain peaks in the Himalayas are located in India while others peaks are in Nepal or Bhutan. Himalayas is one of the most important geographical features of India.

Mount Everest which is part of the Himalayas is the tallest mountain on Earth, whose summit is 8,850 m above mean sea level. As on date, the highest known mountain on any planet in the Solar System is Olympus Mons on Mars at 21,171 m.

The Himalayas are spread across 5 countries namely India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan. The Himalayan range that spreads over 2400 Km consists of the highest peak including the Mount Everest.

The Himalayan range is bordered by Karakorum in the North West, Hindu Kush in the North and Indo Gangetic plains in the South. Western most peak of Himalayan range is Nanga Parbat, lies just south of Indus River with ~ 400 Km width and the eastern most peaks is Namcha Barwa, just west of the Tsangpo river with width of 150 kilometres.

Housing the tallest mountain on earth, one would expect Himalayas to be one of the oldest mountain ranges but in fact, they are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world.

History of Himalayas/Formation of Himalayas

Mountain is a huge land parcel that is higher than the surrounding area. Mountains are formed due to the movement of huge tectonic plates or by volcanic action. These forces – tectonic plate movement or volcanic action raise the surface of the earth gradually and such action over longer periods of time result in formation of mountains.

About 80 million years ago, India, which was part of the Indo Australian plate, was 6400Km south of the Eurasian plate. Between India and the Eurasian plate was the huge Tethys Ocean. The Indo Australian plate which consisted of Australia, Indian subcontinent and surrounding ocean was pushed northwards by the convection currents of earth. Himalayas are born as a result of collision between Indo-Australian plate and Eurasian plate

The three divisions of Himalayas

The Himalayas can broadly be divided into 3 ranges viz. Himadri - the greater Himalayas, the lesser Himalayas - Himachal and the Shivaliks

Northernmost part of the Himalayas are known as the greater Himalayas or Himadri. Most important and highest peaks such as Mount Everest, Nanga Parbhat, Kanchenjunga, Nanda Devi and Namch Barwa are present in this range. The average height of mountains in this range is 6000m.

Some of the important glaciers in this range are Siachien, Gangotri, Yamunotri. The range being northern most part and also having all highest peaks, the snow is dense in this range. As a result of this most important and sacred rivers such as Ganges, Indus and Yamuna are born in this range.

The lesser range of Himalayas lies to the South of greater Himalayas or Himadri. The altitude of the peaks in the lesser Himalayan range varies 3,700 - 4500 m. Pir Pangal, Dhauladhar, Mussorie range are some of the important mountain ranges in this range. This range also known for some of the important hill stations are Shimla, Nanital, Kullu, Manali. Some of the great valleys in this range are Kashmir Valley, Kullu Valley and Kangara Valley.

Important Ranges

Some of the important ranges other than the Pir Pangal and Dhauladhar range are the Zaskar range, Ladakh and Karakoram range. These ranges are towards the northeast of Greater Himalayas. The Karakoram range divides India and central Asia.

Climatic conditions in Himalaya

Being the highest mountain range, the Himalayas is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The famous valley of hills/ Lohal Spiti valley is located in the Himalayas.

The Himalayas have always been a paradise as well as a great challenge to the mountain climbers around the world. It is a treat to the eyes of the tourist to watch such huge snow capped Himalayas.

As everyone knows flora and fauna in any region is mainly dependent on the climatic conditions and the amount of rainfall it receives. Most of the peaks in Himalayas with altitude more than 3,000 m the peaks of the mountains are always filled with snow due to the high altitude.

The climate is generally tropical at the base of the mountains. Due to the diversified weather conditions the flora and fauna are quite unique and change for every 1,000 m in altitude.

The Himalayan forests, which mainly exist in Shivalik range, consists of Oak, Birch, Pine, and Deodar. The combined effect of rainfall, temperature and altitudes influences the forest belt in the Himalayan region.

The Himalayan region mainly experiences the summer season and winter season. Ladakh is also called as the cold desert experiences very less rainfall.

The Ladakh region remains cold to freezing cold for most part of the year; however summers are cool and pleasant. At the foothills of the Himalayas the average temperature may be 30 degree Celsius in summer and around 16 degree Celsius in winter.

With the increase in altitude the temperature decreases and it becomes freezing cold. Climatic conditions can change very quickly at higher altitudes.

It can be said that the climatic conditions vary according to the altitude and location of the place. In some parts like the Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir the minimum temperature goes below zero degrees

However whatever may the climate the mighty Himalayas keep the dry snowy winds from blowing into the sub continent which keeps South Asia warmer.

It also prevents the blowing away of the monsoon winds from India to Northwards to China. Thus Himalayas acts as a natural barrier from natural forces in preventing monsoon winds moving away from India/ protect the Indian subcontinent from icy cold winds from North.