The North and Northeastern Mountains are made up of two mountain ranges: the Northern and Eastern Mountains. The Himalayas are made up of a succession of mountain ranges that run parallel to each other. The typical orientation of these mountains in the northwestern section of India is from northwest to southeast. The Himalayas run east-west in the Darjeeling and Sikkim areas, whereas they run southwest-northwest in Arunachal Pradesh. They are in the north-south direction in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram.

This article will explain to you about the The Northern & North-Eastern Mountains which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

North and Northeastern Mountains

• The North and Eastern Mountains are made up of the Himalayas and the Northeastern highlands.
• The Himalayas consist of a series of mountain ranges that run parallel to one another.
• The Greater Himalayan range, which encompasses the Great Himalayas and the Trans-Himalayan range, the Middle Himalayas, and the Shiwalik are some of the most important ranges.
• The Greater Himalaya, the Lesser/Middle Himalaya, and the Siwalik Range are all Himalayan Ranges.
• The typical orientation of these mountains in the northwestern section of India is from northwest to southeast.
• The Himalayas run east-west in the Darjeeling and Sikkim areas, whereas they run southwest-northwest in Arunachal Pradesh.
• They are in the north-south direction in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. The Great Himalayan range, also known as the central axial range, is approximately 2,500 kilometres long from east to west, and its breadth ranges between 160 and 400 kilometres north to south.
• These mountains may be found in India's northeastern states.
• The Himalayan orogeny gave rise to these mountains, which vary in size and relief.
• Sandstones make up the majority of them. The lush trees cover these mountains.
• To the west, the Purvanchal hills are convex.
• Within the Himalayas, there are large-scale regional variances. The Brahmaputra forms the Himalayas' eastern boundary.
• The Himalayas curve dramatically to the south and from the eastern highlands of Purvanchal beyond the Dihang canyon.

Northern Mountains

The Himalayan Mountains make up India's northern mountain range. They are the world's tallest mountain ranges.

Trans Himalayas

• The Great Himalayan Range is immediately to the north.
• Because the majority of this Himalayan range is located in Tibet, it is also known as the Tibetan Himalaya.
• In the Zaskar Range, the Nanga Parbat (8126 m) is a significant range.
• The Ladakh Range is located north of the Zaskar Range and runs parallel to it. Only a few peaks in this range exceed 6000 metres in elevation.
• The Kailas Range (Gangdise in Chinese) is a branch of the Ladakh Range in western Tibet. Mount Kailash is the highest point in the area (6714 m). The Indus River rises on the Kailash range's northern slopes.
• The Great Karakoram Range, also known as the Krishnagiri Range, is India's northernmost Trans-Himalayan Range.
• The Karakoram Range stretches for around 800 kilometres east of the Pamir.
• The Karakoram Range is to the north-east of the Ladakh Plateau. It's been divided into several plains and mountains.

Greater Himalayas

• Inner Himalaya, Central Himalaya, and Himadri are all names for the same mountain range.
• The average elevation is 6,100 metres above sea level, with a breadth of around 25 kilometres.
• It's mostly made up of core crystallines (granites and gneisses) with metamorphosed sediments on top. 'Rock System' is a term that refers to a set of
• The folds of this range are asymmetrical, having a steep south slope and a mild north slope, resulting in topography known as hog back (a long, steep hill or mountain ridge).
• Like the other two, this mountain arc convexes to the south.
• At the syntaxial bends, it abruptly terminates. One is in the northwestern Nanga Parbat while the other is in the north-eastern Namcha Barwa.
• This mountain range has the world's highest peaks, most of which are always covered with snow.

Middle Himalayas

• In the south, the Shiwaliks, and in the north, the Greater Himalayas.
• It runs nearly parallel to both ranges.
• It is also known as the Himachal Pradesh or the Lower Himalaya.
• The Lower Himalayan mountains are 60-80 kilometres broad and 2400 kilometres long.
• The elevation varies between 3,500 and 4,500 metres above sea level.
• Many peaks rise beyond 5,050 metres above sea level and are snow-covered all year.
• The southern slopes of the Lower Himalayas are steep and barren [steep slopes impede soil formation] whereas the northern slopes are gentle and forested.
• The Mussoorie and Nag Tibba hills in Uttarakhand define the Middle Himalayas.
• The Mahabharat Lekh is a continuation of the Mussoorie Range in southern Nepal.

Outer Himalayas - Shivalik range

• Between the Great Plains and the Lesser Himalayas is this region.
• The elevation fluctuates between 600 and 1500 metres.
• It stretches 2,400 kilometres from the Potwar Plateau to the Brahmaputra Valley.
• The northern slopes are mild, whereas the southern slopes are steep.
• The Shiwalik range in breadth from 50 kilometres in Himachal Pradesh to fewer than 15 kilometres in Arunachal Pradesh.
• They are a mostly uninterrupted line of low hills, with the exception of an 80-90 km gap formed by the Tista River and Raidak River valleys.
• The Shiwalik range is covered in lush forests from North-East India to Nepal, although the forest cover reduces as you travel west from Nepal.
• In Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, the southern slopes of the Shiwalik mountain are almost bereft of forest cover. Chos, which are seasonal streams, criss-cross these mountains.
• Hills are part of anticlines or synclines, whereas valleys are part of synclines.

Punjab Himalayas

• Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh share a substantial chunk of the Punjab Himalayas. As a result, they're also known as the Kashmir and Himachal Himalayas.
• Karakoram, Ladakh, Pir Panjal, Zaskar, and Dhaola Dhar are the major ranges.
• The overall elevation decreases to the west.
• Karewa formations are also well-known in the Kashmir Himalayas.
• The lake deposits found on the flat-topped terraces of the Kashmir valley and on the sides of the Pir Panjal mountain are referred to as 'Karewas' in Kashmiri.
• Clays, silts, and sands make up these deposits, which also exhibit signs of glaciation.
• The presence of tilted Karewas beds at altitudes of 1500-1800m on the Pir Panjal's flanks clearly shows that the Himalayas were uplifting as recently as the Pliocene and Pleistocene (1.8mya to 10kyears ago). Karewas is notable for the production of Zafran, a local kind of saffron.

North-Eastern Mountains

• The Brahmaputra forms the Himalayas' eastern boundary. The Himalayas curve steeply southward beyond the Dihang canyon, forming the Eastern highlands, or Purvanchal.
• North-Eastern Hills & Mountains are part of the Himalayan mountain chain, with a basic alignment from north to south.
• They are recognised by many local names. They are known as Patkai Bum in the north, Naga hills in the south, and Manipur hills in the north.
• These are low hills populated by a variety of tribes that practise Jhum agriculture.
• The region is geologically unstable, with multiple faults crisscrossing it. Its north–south hill ranges are formed by small parallel valleys that slope westward.
• Mount Dapha (in Arunachal Pradesh) is the tallest mountain in the area, rising 15,020 feet (4,578 metres).
• Lohit, Burhi Dihing, Diyung, Kusiyara, Gumti, Kaladan, Manipur, Tixu, Nantaleik, and Naurya are the prominent rivers.

Important Hills and Mountains

Significance North and Northeastern Mountains

• The Effects of Climate Change on the summer monsoon is intercepted by the Himalayas' high height, sprawl, and expansion.
• They also keep chilly Siberian air masses out of India.
• Gold, silver, copper, lead, and other minerals are known to occur in the Himalayan region.
• In Kashmir, there is coal. However, these minerals cannot be extracted at the current level of technological advancement. It's also unprofitable.
• The North and Northeastern Mountains are significant for defence, perennial rivers, fertile soils, forest wealth, orchards, and various minerals, among other things.

Conclusion

The Himalayas are the world's tallest mountain ranges. The ranges in our country's northeast are made up of a succession of ranges. The portion of this mountain that we own is divided into four parallel ranges. There are also lovely valleys in between these hills. From north to south, the slope of them is diminishing. Different native names are given to different sections of the Himalayan mountains. In the north, they are known as Patkai Bum, Naga hills, and Manipur hills, while in the south, they are known as Mizo or Lushai hills.

FAQs

Question: What are the Northern and North-Eastern Mountains?

Question: How are the Himalayas divided geographically?

Question: What is the significance of the Purvanchal Hills?

Question: Which rivers originate from the Himalayas?

Question: What is the role of the Himalayas in influencing India's climate?

MCQs

1. Which of the following rivers originates from the Himalayas?

a) Narmada

b) Yamuna

c) Mahanadi

d) Krishna

2. The Purvanchal Hills are part of which mountain range?

a) Himalayas

b) Western Ghats

c) Aravalli

d) Satpura

3. Which of the following is the highest range of the Himalayas?

a) Shivaliks

b) Himachal

c) Himadri

d) Purvanchal

4. Which mountain range separates the plains of India from the Tibetan Plateau?

a) Shivaliks

b) Himachal

c) Aravalli

d) Himadri

5. What is the primary feature of the Shivalik range?

a) Dense forest cover

b) Steep high peaks

c) Depositional valleys

d) Glacial formations

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Discuss the significance of the Northern Mountains in shaping the physical and climatic features of India.

Answer: The Northern Mountains, especially the Himalayas, play a critical role in shaping India's climate by blocking cold winds from Central Asia and trapping monsoon winds. This ensures a tropical climate in the northern plains, which is essential for agriculture. The mountains also act as a source of perennial rivers, like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Yamuna, which are vital for India’s water supply and agriculture.

Q2. Examine the role of the Himalayas in influencing the biodiversity of the region.

Answer: The varied altitudinal range and climate of the Himalayas create a rich biodiversity hotspot, home to numerous species of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to the region. The region's forests support diverse ecosystems and are vital for maintaining ecological balance. The Himalayas are also crucial for watershed management, as they provide fresh water to major rivers.

Q3. Analyze the geological structure of the Purvanchal Hills and their importance in India’s geography.

Answer: The Purvanchal Hills are the eastern extension of the Himalayas, consisting of several hill ranges such as the Patkai, Naga, and Lushai Hills. These hills are significant for their biodiversity and play a vital role in supporting the rich ecosystems of northeastern India. Additionally, they are crucial for controlling the flow of rivers in the region, contributing to agriculture and hydropower potential.

Previous Year Questions on The Northern & North-Eastern Mountains

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:

Question: Which of the following rivers originates from the Yamunotri Glacier?

A. Ganga

B. Yamuna

C. Brahmaputra

D. Sutlej

Answer: B

Explanation: The Yamuna River originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in the western Himalayas, flowing through northern India and merging with the Ganga.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2015 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the significance of the Himalayan Mountains in influencing the climate of India.

Answer: The Himalayas play a vital role in shaping India’s climate by acting as a barrier to cold winds from Central Asia, ensuring that northern India remains warmer in winter. Additionally, they trap moisture-laden monsoon winds, resulting in significant rainfall in the northern plains. This affects agriculture, water availability, and overall ecological balance.

3. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018:

Question: The Purvanchal Hills are located in which part of India?

A. North-West

B. North-East

C. Central India

D. Western India

Answer: B

Explanation: The Purvanchal Hills are located in the northeastern part of India and are an extension of the Himalayas. They cover states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur.