The Kashmir or North-Western Himalayas is a mountainous grassland and shrubland ecoregion found in the heights of Kashmir or the northwestern part of Indian Himalayas. The Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Pir Panjal are some of the ranges that make up this region. This article will explain to you about Kashmir or the North-Western Himalayas which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Kashmir or North-Western Himalayas

• The Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar, and Pir Panjal are some of the ranges that make up this region.
• Between the Greater Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges, the northeastern half of the Kashmir Himalayas is a frigid desert.
• The world-renowned Kashmir valley and the famed Dal Lake are located between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range.
• This region also has important South Asian glaciers such as the Baltoro and Siachen.
• The Kashmir Himalayas is also known for the Karewa formations, which are used to grow Zafran, a local saffron type.

• Zoji La on the Great Himalayas, Banihal on the Pir Panjal, Photu La on the Zaskar, and Khardung La on the Zaskar are some of the region's most important passes.
• This region also has some of the most important freshwater lakes, such as Dal and Wular, as well as saltwater lakes, such as Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.
• The Indus River and its tributaries, such as the Jhelum and Chenab, drain this region.
• The magnificent beauty and stunning landscape of Kashmir and the northern Himalayas are well-known.
• The Himalayan terrain is a major source of interest for adventure visitors.
• Srinagar, the state capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is situated on the Jhelum River's banks.
• The Dal Lake in Srinagar is a unique natural feature.
• Jhelum in Kashmir's valley is still in its youth stage , but it is already forming meanders, which is a characteristic of the mature stage of fluvial landform evolution.
• Longitudinal valleys known as 'duns' make up the southernmost half of this region. Important examples include Jammu dun and Pathankot dun.

Geomorphological Evolution Kashmir Himalaya

• Two tectonic episodes characterise the Orogeny of the Kashmir Himalayas.
• The first episode concerns the collision of India and Asia, which resulted in crustal shortening, thickening, and the initiation of metamorphic impact on the Indian continental margin's sedimentary series.
• Exhumation of high-grade metamorphic rock from the High Himalayan crystalline resulted in compression of beds due to ductile normal shearing, doming, and normal faulting in the second episode, which led to the extensional tectonic structure.
• The geological events that led to the region's current elevation date back 60 million years and the initiation and establishment of the monsoon system dates back 15 million years.
• Pleistocene was a period when pulsating uplifts pushed the Himalayas higher, resulting in year-round precipitation in the form of snow and the formation of large glaciers (Valdiya, 1993).
• As early as 2.5 million years ago, cold conditions were established in the Kashmir Himalaya and its surrounding valleys.
• The glaciation period was followed by a period of de-glaciation, which resulted in the formation of massive lakes, and this period was followed by an extremely dry period, during which a fierce dry wind blew through the Kashmir valley (Pant et al.1978).
• The temperature of ice plays a significant role in its movement and morphological activity, resulting in a staggering geomorphological diversity and an exceptionally rich field for research into glacial, fluvial, and arid cold landscapes.

People

• The Champa, Ladakhi, Balti, and Dard peoples live in the Kashmir Himalayas to the north of the Great Himalaya Range.
• The Dard speak Indo-European languages, while the Tibeto-Burmans speak Tibeto-Burman.
• In the upper Indus valley, the Champa have traditionally lived a nomadic pastoral life.
• In the northeastern Kashmir region, the Ladakhi have settled on terraces and alluvial fans that flank the Indus.
• The Balti have spread down the Indus valley and converted to Islam.

Climate

• In the winter, temperatures can drop to as low as 9 °C, and in the summer, they can reach 38 °C.
• With an annual average rainfall of 84 cm, the average maximum and minimum temperatures are 19.27 °C and 7.29 °C, respectively.
• Autumn has the most seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation, followed by spring.
• The majority of the region's annual precipitation comes from western disturbances, with the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) providing a smaller amount.

Flora

• The flora of this ecoregion is dominated by krummholz and herbaceous plants.
• Various rhododendrons, as well as junipers and birches, thrive in the scrub habitat near timberline.
• Although this ecoregion has several rhododendron species, they have a lower diversity than the eastern Himalaya, where 60 species have been recorded in the Northeastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests.

Fauna

• This ecoregion is home to 80 mammalian species.
• The snow leopard and Tibetan wolf use this area as their primary habitat. Ibex, markhor, blue sheep, tahr, and Himalayan marmot are among the other mammals found in the Himalayas.
• This area is home to 172 different bird species.

Significance of Kashmir or North-Western Himalayas

• By intercepting monsoon (rain-bearing) winds from the south, the northern mountain barrier alters precipitation patterns.
• The areas south of this region are mainly protected from the cold winter winds that blow from Asia's interior.
• Melting snow and glacial meltwater from the highlands also feed the rivers that emerge from the east-west orientated peaks and flow southward, notably the Indus.
• To the south, the territory is mostly covered in deodar (a species of cedar) and pine forests, as well as wide grasslands.
• Throughout a few favoured locations, the population is numerous, but in the hostile northern region, it is sparse.

Conclusion

The Himalayas in general have retained a profound significance for the peoples of South Asia for thousands of years, as evidenced by their literature, mythology, and religions. The enormous glaciated heights have captivated pilgrim mountaineers from India since ancient times, earning them the Sanskrit name Himalaya. In modern times, the Himalayas have attracted mountaineers all around the world as both an attraction and a challenge.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a famous lake in the Kashmir Himalayas?

A. Dal Lake
B. Chilika Lake
C. Sambhar Lake
D. Vembanad Lake

2. The Karewa formations in the Kashmir Himalayas are used for growing which of the following?

A. Tea
B. Cotton
C. Saffron
D. Wheat

3. Which of the following passes is located in the Kashmir Himalayas?

A. Rohtang Pass
B. Zoji La
C. Nathula Pass
D. Lipulekh Pass

4. Which river flows through the Kashmir Himalayas?

A. Ganga
B. Narmada
C. Indus
D. Godavari

5. The cold desert of the Kashmir Himalayas is found in which region?

A. Ladakh
B. Uttarakhand
C. Sikkim
D. Himachal Pradesh

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the geomorphological features of the Kashmir Himalayas and their significance in Indian geography.

Answer: The Kashmir Himalayas, comprising the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zanskar, and Pir Panjal ranges, exhibit unique geomorphological features. The Karewa formations, high-altitude passes, and large glaciers like Siachen are key to the region’s geography. These features influence the climate, water resources, and biodiversity of the region, playing a vital role in sustaining agriculture and wildlife.

Q2: Analyze the impact of climate change on the glaciers and water resources of the Kashmir Himalayas.

Answer: The Kashmir Himalayas are home to significant glaciers like Siachen, which are critical for water resources. Climate change has led to glacier retreat, affecting water availability for agriculture and hydropower. The reduction in snow cover also threatens the region's biodiversity, leading to shifts in ecosystem dynamics.

Q3: Evaluate the role of the Kashmir Himalayas in supporting the biodiversity of India.

Answer: The Kashmir Himalayas are home to diverse flora and fauna, including endangered species like the snow leopard and Tibetan wolf. The region’s varied climate and unique topography provide habitats for numerous species. Conservation efforts are essential to protect this biodiversity, which is vulnerable to climate change and habitat degradation.

Previous Year Questions on Kashmir or North-Western Himalayas

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Which of the following statements is correct about Karewa formations?
A. They are sand dunes found in Rajasthan.
B. They are moraines found in Kashmir used for saffron cultivation.
C. They are black soil regions in central India.
D. They are coastal formations in southern India.

Answer: B

Explanation: Karewa formations are found in Kashmir and are known for saffron cultivation.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: "Examine the significance of the Kashmir Himalayas in the hydrology of North India."

Answer: The Kashmir Himalayas are crucial for the hydrology of North India, as they contain major glaciers like Siachen, which feed rivers such as the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. These rivers are lifelines for agriculture, drinking water, and hydropower generation. The region also acts as a barrier, preventing cold winds from the north, thus influencing the climate and precipitation patterns in the plains of North India.