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The Great Himalayas (Himadri) - Geography Notes

The Himalayas, geologically young and structurally fold mountains that reach beyond India's northern boundaries, are geologically young and structurally fold mountains. From the Indus to the Brahmaputra, these mountain ranges stretch west to east. The Great or Inner Himalayas, also known as the Himadri, are the highest mountain range in the world. It is the longest range, with the highest peaks rising to an average height of 6,000 metres. It encompasses all of the major Himalayan summits. This article will explain to you about The Great Himalayas (Himadri) which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

UPSC CSE IAS
The Great Himalayas (Himadri)

The Great Himalayas (Himadri)

  • Inner Himalaya, Central Himalaya, and Himadri are all names for the same mountain range.
  • The Great Himalayan folds are asymmetrical in form. Granite makes up the core of this Himalayan region.
  • A number of glaciers drop from this mountain, which is perpetually snowbound.
  • 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 [limestone] on top.
  • 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.

The Great Himalayas

The Great Himalayas

Important peaks

Important peaks in the Great Himalayas

The Greater Himalayas range includes Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, as well as other "nearest" peaks including Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and Nanga Parbat.

Mount Everest

Mount Everest

  • Mount Everest, located in the Mahalangur Himalaya sub-range of the Himalayas, is the world's highest peak above sea level.
  • The border between China and Nepal goes across its highest point.
  • Everest is also known in Nepal as Sagarmatha and in China as Mount Qomolangma.
  • The mountain is located on the Nepal-Tibet border, and the peak is accessible from both sides.
  • The new height of 8,848.86 metres supplanted the previously related height of 8,848 metres, which was measured by the Survey of India in 1954.
  • Indigenous peoples have long lived in the valleys of the Himalayan highlands.
  • The Sherpa people are the most well-known of them. Although the term "Sherpa" is commonly used to refer to a mountain guide, it actually refers to an ethnic group.

Mount Everest

Mount Everest

Kangchenjunga

Kangchenjunga

  • Kanchenjunga is the world's third tallest peak and India's first.
  • It lies at an altitude of 8,586 metres (28,169 ft).
  • Kanchenjunga means "The Five Treasures of Snows'' in Tibetan (namely gold, silver, gems, grain, and holy books).
  • The Kangchenjunga portion features five peaks above 7,000 metres, while the area has a total of 12 peaks over 7,000 metres (23,000 ft).
  • Kanchenjunga is located on the border of India and Nepal in the enormous Himalayan range of Sikkim.
  • The Teesta River is fed by the Zemu glacier in the northeast and the Talung glacier in the southeast; the Arun and Kosi rivers are fed by the Yalung glacier in the southwest and the Kangchen glacier in the northwest.

Kangchenjunga

Kangchenjunga

Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat

  • Nanga Parbat, also known as Diamir, is one of the world's highest mountains, standing at 26,660 feet (8,126 metres) in the western Himalayas.
  • The steep south wall of the mountain climbs almost 15,000 feet (4,600 metres) above the valley below, while the north side lowers approximately 23,000 feet (7,000 metres) to the Indus River.
  • Nanga Parbat is the Himalayas' westernmost main peak, and in the conventional conception of the Himalayas as limited by the Indus and Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra rivers, it serves as the mountain range's western anchor.
  • Nanga Parbat is also the Himalayas' second most conspicuous peak, after Mount Everest.
  • Zoji La in Kashmir Valley is a vital pass for Nanga Parbat, since it connects it to higher peaks in the remaining Himalaya-Karakoram range.

Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat

Mt Lhotse

Mt Lhotse

  • Mt Lhotse, after Mt Everest, K2, and Kangchenjunga, is the world's fourth tallest peak.
  • It may be found on the boundary between Tibet and Nepal's Khumbu area.
  • Lhotse is the peak of the huge horseshoe-shaped arc of the Everest massif, with Everest to the north and Nuptse to the west.
  • Due to the immense height of the South Col between it and Everest, it is the least noticeable of the eight-thousanders, despite the remarkable vertical relief of its South and Northeast Faces.

Mt Lhotse

Mt Lhotse

Important Passes

Important Passes in the Great Himalayas

Pass Location Significance
Burzil Pass Jammu and Kashmir
  • This pass connects Kashmir's Astore Valley to Ladakh's Deosai Plains.
  • It is the most well-known route that connects Gilgit with Skardu and Srinagar across the Deosai Plateau.
  • During the summer, the pass's top is broad and lush with alpine grass flora.
  • The Astore River flows down the western slopes of the Burzil Pass.
Zoji La Jammu and Kashmir
  • Zoji La is a high mountain pass in Ladakh's Kargil area.
  • The pass connects Leh and Srinagar and serves as a vital link between the Union Territories of Ladakh and Kashmir.
  • Due to excessive snowfall, the Zojila pass stays blocked during the winter, shutting off the Ladakh area from Kashmir.
BaraLacha La Himachal pradesh
  • The Bara-lacha la, also known as the Bara-lacha Pass, is a high mountain pass in the Zanskar range that connects Lahaul district in Himachal Pradesh to Leh district in Ladakh and is located along the Leh–Manali Highway.
  • The Bhaga river, a tributary of the Chenab river, flows from Surya taal lake, which is located a few kilometres from the Manali pass.
  • The pass also serves as a water boundary between the Bhaga and Yunam rivers.
Shipki La Himachal pradesh
  • Shipki La is a mountain pass and border checkpoint on the India-China border with a dozen large structures.
  • The Sutlej River, known as the Langqen Zangbo in Tibet, enters India (from Tibet) near this crossing.
  • Along with Nathu La in Sikkim and Lipulekh in Uttarakhand, the pass serves as one of India's trading border posts with Tibet.
  • The pass lies near the town of Khab.
Lipu Lekh Uttarakhand
  • Lipulekh is a Himalayan pass on the boundary of India's Uttarakhand state and China's Tibet province, near their intersection with Nepal.
  • This pass connects the Byans Valley in Uttarakhand, India, to the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and is the final point of Indian territory.
  • This pass is traversed during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar.
Nathu La Sikkim
  • Nathu La, one of the world's highest motorable highways, is a mountain pass in the Himalayan ranges on the Indo-Tibetan boundary 14450 feet above sea level.
  • Nathu is an abbreviation for 'listening ears,' while La is an abbreviation for 'pass.'
  • It serves as an open trading station between India and China.
Jelep La Sikkim
  • Jelep La is a high mountain pass that connects the East Sikkim District of Sikkim, India, with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
  • It is located on the road that links Lhasa to India.
  • The Menmecho Lake is located beneath the Jelep La.
Significance

Significance of the Great Himalayas (Himadri)

  • Himadri is the Himalayan range's northernmost range, which is always covered with snow throughout the year.
  • It is the Himalayan mountain range's northernmost range, often known as the inner Himalayas, which includes the Himalayan mountain's most notable peak.
  • It may be found in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and other mountainous areas.
  • These areas are primarily important for providing water to a vast portion of the Indian subcontinent, as well as having a diverse flora and fauna. It's also known as the Himalayan interior.
  • The Himalayan mountain range is the world's tallest, with a population of around 52.7 million people divided over five countries: India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan.
  • Its name comes from the Sanskrit word Himalaya, which refers to the Himalayan mountains.
Conclusion

Conclusion

The Greater Himalayas, also known as the Himadri, the Lesser Himalayas, also known as the Himachal, and the Shivalik hills, which make up the foothills, make up the Himalayas. Himadri regions are known for delivering water to a large section of the Indian subcontinent and for having a diversified flora and fauna. The Himalayan interior is another name for it.

FAQs

FAQs

Question: What are the Great Himalayas also known as?

Answer: The Great Himalayas are also known as Himadri.

Question: Which are the prominent peaks of the Great Himalayas?

Answer: The prominent peaks of the Great Himalayas include Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu.

Question: How were the Great Himalayas formed?

Answer: The Great Himalayas were formed due to the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, a process that began around 50 million years ago.

Question: What is the climatic significance of the Great Himalayas?

Answer: The Great Himalayas act as a barrier to cold winds from Central Asia, influencing the climate of the Indian subcontinent and feeding the perennial rivers of northern India through glaciers.

Question: Which animals are found in the Great Himalayas?

Answer: Animals like the snow leopard, Himalayan blue sheep, and Himalayan tahr are found in the Great Himalayas.

MCQs

1. Which is the highest peak in the Great Himalayas?

A. Nanga Parbat
B. Mount Everest
C. K2
D. Dhaulagiri

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

Mount Everest, at 8,848 meters, is the highest peak in the Great Himalayas and the world.

2. Which of the following rivers originate from the Great Himalayas?

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

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

The Ganga originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Great Himalayas.

3. What geological process led to the formation of the Great Himalayas?

A. Volcanic eruption
B. Tectonic plate collision
C. Oceanic subduction
D. Earthquake

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

The Great Himalayas were formed by the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

4. Which of the following animals is native to the Great Himalayas?

A. Bengal tiger
B. Asiatic lion
C. Snow leopard
D. Red panda

Answer: (C) See the Explanation

The snow leopard is a native species of the Great Himalayas, known for inhabiting the high-altitude ranges.

5. Which mountain in the Great Himalayas holds religious significance for Hindus and Buddhists?

A. Mount Kailash
B. Mount Everest
C. Kanchenjunga
D. Nanda Devi

Answer: (A) See the Explanation

Mount Kailash holds religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, as it is considered sacred in their belief systems.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of the Great Himalayas in influencing the climate of the Indian subcontinent.

Answer: The Great Himalayas play a critical role in shaping the climate of the Indian subcontinent. By acting as a barrier, the range prevents the cold winds from Central Asia from entering northern India, maintaining a moderate climate in the region. Additionally, the snow-covered peaks and glaciers in the Great Himalayas feed the major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, contributing to the hydrology of the region. The Great Himalayas also block the monsoon winds, causing heavy rainfall on the southern slopes, which supports agriculture and biodiversity.

Q2: Analyze the ecological significance of the Great Himalayas.

Answer: The Great Himalayas are home to a unique ecosystem, featuring alpine flora and fauna adapted to the high-altitude environment. Species like the snow leopard, Himalayan blue sheep, and Himalayan tahr inhabit these ranges. The glaciers in the Himalayas serve as a vital water source for rivers in northern India. The ecological balance in the Himalayas is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, supporting forest ecosystems, and preventing soil erosion. Additionally, the alpine meadows of the Great Himalayas are rich in medicinal plants, contributing to traditional healthcare systems in the region.

Q3: Evaluate the cultural and religious significance of the Great Himalayas for people living in the region.

Answer: The Great Himalayas hold deep cultural and religious significance for various communities living in the region. Sites like Mount Kailash, Amarnath, and Hemkund Sahib attract pilgrims from around the world. These sacred places are central to the religious beliefs of Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs. The Himalayas are often revered as the abode of gods and are featured prominently in Hindu mythology. The connection between people and the Himalayas goes beyond religion, influencing art, literature, and spiritual practices across the region.

Previous Year Questions on The Great Himalayas (Himadri)

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

Question: Which river originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Great Himalayas?
A. Brahmaputra
B. Ganga
C. Narmada
D. Krishna

Answer: B

Explanation: The Ganga originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Great Himalayas, making it one of the most important rivers in northern India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Discuss the significance of the Himalayas in shaping the climate and water resources of the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation: The Himalayas play a crucial role in influencing the climate and water resources of the Indian subcontinent. Acting as a natural barrier, the Himalayas block the cold winds from Central Asia, helping maintain moderate temperatures in northern India. Additionally, the snow-capped peaks and glaciers of the Himalayas are a vital source of perennial rivers, including the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, which support agriculture, biodiversity, and human settlements across the region. The monsoon rainfall on the southern slopes of the Himalayas contributes to the hydrological balance and sustains various ecosystems.

Question: The Himalayan Range is Very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon? [UPSC 2011]

(a) It has a high rainfall that supports luxuriant vegetative growth

(b) It is a confluence of different biogeographical zones

(c) Exotic and invasive species have not been introduced in this region

(d) It has less human interference

Answer: (b) See the Explanation

  • It is the meeting point of many biogeographical zones.
  • The Himalayan Range has a high level of species variety since the Himalayan area as a whole is quite diversified bio-geographically.
  • The segmentation of India based on biogeographic traits is known as biogeographic characterisation.
  • Biogeography is the study of the movement of species (science), organisms, and biological systems over geographic space and time. India has a rich heritage of distinctive variation.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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