Indian Himalayan Region: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Region in northern India}}
{{distinguish|Sub-Himalayan Range}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2015}}


[[File:India topo big.jpg|thumb|Indian Himalayan
[[File:India topo big.jpg|thumb|The parts of India marked in brown and white on this map lie in the IHR]]The '''Indian Himalayan Region''' (abbreviated to '''IHR''') is the section of the [[Himalayas]] within the [[Republic of India]], spanning thirteen [[States and union territories of India|Indian states and union territories]], namely [[Ladakh]],<ref>{{Cite web | title=Beijing Tidak Akui Wilayah Persatuan Ladakh, Jubir Klaim Bentrokan Perbatasan Adalah Sisa Perselisihan Sejarah Pakistan-India | url=https://rmol-id.translate.goog/read/2020/09/30/454408/beijing-tidak-akui-wilayah-persatuan-ladakh-jubir-klaim-bentrokan-perbatasan-adalah-sisa-perselisihan-sejarah-pakistan-india?_x_tr_sl=id&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp | access-date=2026-01-10 | website=rmol-id.translate.goog}}</ref> [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]],<ref>{{Cite web | title=Kashmir: Pakistan to seek International Court of Justice ruling | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49414213 | access-date=2026-01-10 | website=www.bbc.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Kashmir: What to Know About the Disputed Region {{!}} Council on Foreign Relations | url=https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/kashmir-what-know-about-disputed-region | access-date=2026-01-10 | website=www.cfr.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Think Tank Warns of Growing Gap in Jammu and Kashmir -THINK TANK JOURNAL | url=https://thinktank.pk/2024/03/11/think-tank-warns-of-growing-gap-in-jammu-and-kashmir/ | access-date=2026-01-10 | website=thinktank.pk}}</ref> [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Sikkim]], [[West Bengal]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Nagaland]], [[Manipur]], [[Mizoram]], [[Tripura]], [[Meghalaya]], and [[Assam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.niti.gov.in/sustainable-development-indian-himalayan-region#:~:text=The%20Indian%20Himalayan%20Region%20is,)%2C%20stretching%20across%202500%20km. |title=SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYAN REGION |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= |publisher=[[NITI Aayog]] |access-date=13 Jun 2023
Region (IHR)]]The '''Indian Himalayan Region''' (abbreviated to '''IHR''') is the section of the [[Himalayas]] within [[India]], spanning 12 [[India]]n [[States and union territories of India|states and union territories]], namely [[Ladakh]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Sikkim]],<ref name="oneill_khecheopalri">{{cite journal |last1=O'Neill |first1=Alexander |display-authors=etal |date=25 February 2020 |title= Establishing Ecological Baselines Around a Temperate Himalayan Peatland |journal= Wetlands Ecology & Management |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=375–388 | doi=10.1007/s11273-020-09710-7 |s2cid=211081106 }}</ref> [[West Bengal]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Nagaland]], [[Manipur]], [[Mizoram]], [[Tripura]], [[Meghalaya]] and [[Assam]].<ref>http://gbpihedenvis.nic.in/indian_him_reg.htm</ref><ref>https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/ihr.htm</ref> The region is responsible for providing water to a large part of the [[Indian subcontinent]] and contains various flora and fauna.<ref>[http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18068406 Sustainable development of the Indian Himalayan region : Linking ecological and economic concerns]</ref>
|quote=The Indian Himalayan Region is spread across 13 Indian States/Union Territories (namely Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam and West Bengal), stretching across 2500 km.}}</ref><ref name="oneill_khecheopalri">{{cite journal |last1=O'Neill |first1=Alexander |display-authors=etal |date=25 February 2020 |title= Establishing Ecological Baselines Around a Temperate Himalayan Peatland |journal= Wetlands Ecology & Management |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=375–388 | doi=10.1007/s11273-020-09710-7 |bibcode=2020WetEM..28..375O |s2cid=211081106 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gbpihedenvis.nic.in/indian_him_reg.htm|title=Indian Himalayan Region - ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology, GBPIHED}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/ihr.htm|title = Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)}}</ref> The region is responsible for providing water to a large part of the [[Indian subcontinent]] and contains various flora and fauna.<ref>[http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18068406 Sustainable development of the Indian Himalayan region : Linking ecological and economic concerns]</ref>


Physiographically, the IHR starts from the foothills of south (Shivaliks) and extends up to the Tibetan plateau on the north (Trans-[[Himalayas|Himalaya]]). Three major geographical entities, the Himadri (greater Himalaya), Himanchal ([[lesser Himalaya]]) and the [[Shiwaliks]] (outer Himalaya), extend almost uninterrupted throughout its length and are separated by major geological fault lines. Mighty but older waterways like the [[Indus River|Indus]], [[Sutlej]], Kali, [[Koshi River|Kosi]] and [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]] cut through the IHR's steep gorges to escape into the Great Plains, establishing their antecedence.
Physiographically, the Himalayas start from the foothills of south (Sivaliks) and extend up to the Tibetan plateau of the north (Trans-[[Himalayas|Himalaya]]). Three major geographical entities, the Himadri (greater Himalaya), Himachal ([[lesser Himalaya]]) and the [[Sivaliks]] (outer Himalaya), extend almost uninterrupted throughout its length and are separated by major geological fault lines. Huge but older waterways like the [[Indus River|Indus]], [[Sutlej]], Kali, [[Koshi River|Kosi]] and [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]] cut steep gorges through the main Himalayan range to escape into the Great Plains, establishing their antecedence.


The northernmost range of mountains are the Karakoram Mountains that continue from India into Pakistan and China. To the south of the Karakoram Range lies parallel to the [[Zanskar Range]]s and parallel to Pir Panjal Ranges. These three mountain ranges lie parallel to each other in the north-western part of India, most of its area lying in the state of Jammu and Kashmir as its capital Srinagar, too.
The northernmost range of mountains are the trans-Himalayan [[Karakoram]] Mountains that continue from India into Pakistan and China. To the south of the Karakoram Range lie the [[Zanskar Range|Zanskar]] and [[Ladakh range]]s.


Some of the highest mountains on earth are found in the region. Many rivers considered holy like the Ganga and supplying 13th to draw a flow from the Himalayas.
Some of the highest mountains on Earth are also found in the region. Many perennial, glacier-fed rivers flow from the Himalayas.


==Trans-Himalaya==
==Trans-Himalaya==
Trans himalaya is created due to the collision with the Eurasian plate. This Zone is the northernmost area in the country in the states of Jammu and Kashmir , Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. It is an extension of Tibetan plateau around the Himalayas. The Main Himalayan Ranges are as follows:
Trans-Himalaya ranges in India include the Karakoram, Zanskar and Ladakh ranges that run through Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. At the eastern end, some portion of the [[Kangri Karpo]] (a trans-Himalayan range) forms part of the northern boundary of Arunachal Pradesh with Tibet.
*Pir Panjal Range (part of middle Himalayas)
*Dhauladhar Range madya himalaya
*Zanskar Range
*Ladakh Range
*East Karakoram Range
*Mahabharata range (middle Himalayas in Nepal)


==Pir Panjal Range==
===Karakoram Range===
To the south of the main Himalayas lies the [[Pir Panjal Range]] at an average height of {{convert|5000|m}}. From [[Gulmarg]] in the northwest it follows the southern rim of the Kashmir valley to the [[Banihal Pass]].  Here the Pir Panjal meets the ridgeline that separates the Kashmir valley from the Warvan Valley. The major passes here in Pir Panjal are the Pir Panjal Pass due west of Srinagar, the Banihal Pass which lies at the top of the Jhelum River at the southern end of the Kashmir valley, and the [[Synthan top|Sythan Pass]] linking Kashmir with [[Kishtwar]] and [[Salooni]].
{{main|Karakoram}}
The Karakoram is a giant range, which geographically divides India and [[Central Asia]]. The range consists of high mountain peaks like [[K2]], Rimo and Teram Kargri. The [[Karakoram Pass|Korakoram Pass]] acts as the main connector between the markets of [[Yarkant County|Yarkand]], Leh and [[Kashgar]].


==Dhauladhar Range==
===Ladakh Range===
To the south of the Pir Panjal lies the [[Dhauladhar]] range. Both ranges are visible from [[Salooni]] of [[Chamba district|Chamba]]. It is easily visible because of its distinct feature of the snow-capped ridge, which forms the division between the Ravi and the Beas valleys. In the west it divides the Chenab valley and the Tawi Valley. Towards the east it extends across Himachal Pradesh forming the high ridges of the Large gorge and extending towards the south of the Pin Parvati Valley before it forms the ridgeline east of the Sutlej River. The rivers flow from it.
{{main|Ladakh Range}}
To the north of the Leh lies the Ladakh Range which is an important part of the Trans-Himalayan range that merges with the [[Kailash Range]] in Tibet. Here, the important passes are the famous [[Khardung La]], and [[Digar La]], which lie to the northeast of Leh.


==Zanskar Range==
===Zanskar Range===
The [[Zanskar Range]] lies to the north of the main Himalaya. It acts as a backbone of Ladakh south of the Indus River, extending from the ridges beyond Lamayuru in the west across the Zanskar region; there it is divided from the main Himalaya by the Stod and Tsarap valleys, the Zanskar valley. On the east of the Zanskar region the range continues through the [[Lahaul and Spiti district]] and [[Pangi, Himachal Pradesh|Pangi]] of the [[Chamba district|Chamba]]. While in the north it continues across the Kinnaur before extending towards west across [[Uttarakhand]]. Some of the main passes are the [[Fotu La|Fatu La]], on the Leh-Srinagar road, while the main trekking passes into the Zanskar valley are Singge La, the Cha Cha La and the Rubrang La.
{{main|Zanskar Range}}
The Zanskar Range lies to the north of the main Himalaya. It acts as a backbone of Ladakh south of the Indus River, extending {{convert|250|km|mi}} from the [[Suru River (Indus)|Karcha (Suru) River]] near [[Kargil]] in the northwest to [[Tso Kar]] in the southeast. The range separates [[Indus Valley]] from the [[Zanskar River|Zanskar Valley]]. It is divided from the main Himalaya by the [[Stod Valley|Stod]], [[Tsarap River|Tsarap]] and [[Zanskar River|Zanskar valleys]]. Some of the main passes are the [[Fotu La|Fatu La]], on the Leh-Srinagar road, while the main trekking passes into the Zanskar valley are Singge La, the Cha Cha La and the Rubrang La.


==Ladakh Range==
==Middle Himalaya==
To the north of the Leh lies the [[Ladakh Range]] and it is an important part of the Trans-Himalayan range that merges with the [[Kailash Range]] in Tibet. Here the important passes are the famous [[Khardung La]], and [[Digar La]], which lie to the northeast of Leh.


==East Karakoram Range==
===Pir Panjal Range===
The [[Karakoram]] is a giant range, which geographically divides India and [[Central Asia]]. The range consists of high mountain peaks like [[Saltoro Kangri]], Rimo and Teram Kargri. The [[Karakoram Pass|Korakoram Pass]] acts as the main connector between the markets of [[Yarkant County|Yarkand]], Leh and [[Kashgar]].
{{main|Pir Panjal Range}}
To the south of the main Himalayas lies the lesser Himalayan Pir Panjal Range, with an average height of {{convert|5000|m}}, in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The Kashmir valley is bounded by this range to its west and south. The resort town of [[Gulmarg]] is located on the northern slope of the range. Important passes include the [[Banihal pass]], the Pir Panjal pass, the [[Sinthan top|Sinthan pass]] and the [[Rohtang pass]].


==Shiwalik Hills==
===Dhauladhar Range===
'''The southern most range of the Himalayas are the Shivaliks.
{{main|Dhauladhar}}
Shivaliks extend over a width of 10–50&nbsp;km, and have an altitude varying between 900&nbsp;m and 1100&nbsp;m.'''
To the south of the Pir Panjal lies the Dhauladhar range. It lies to the north of the [[Kangra valley]], from where it appears to rise almost vertical. It forms the water divide between the [[Ravi River|Ravi]] and Beas rivers. In the west it divides the Chenab valley and the Tawi Valley. It is located mostly in Himachal Pradesh.


'''These ranges are called by different names in different regions :'''
==Sivalik Hills==
The southern most range of the Himalayas are the Sivaliks. Sivaliks extend over a width of 10–50&nbsp;km, and have an altitude varying between 900&nbsp;m and 1100&nbsp;m.


'''Jammu hills in Jammu region ;'''
These ranges are called by different names in different regions:
*Jammu Hills in Jammu region
*Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh


'''Mishmi hills in Arunachal pradesh;'''
These parts consist of thick gravel and alluvium.


'''Cachar in Assom; etc.'''
The valley lying between the Lesser Himalayas and Shivalik ranges are called as Duns. Dehradun, Kalka Dun,  Kiyarda Dun and Jammu Dun are some of the prominent Duns. It is the southern most region of the Himalayas.


'''These parts consist of thick gravel and alluvium.'''
== See also ==


'''The valley lying between the Lesser Himalayas and Shivalik ranges are called as DUNS - Dehradun,kotli dun and patli dun are some of the peominent Duns.'''
* [[Himalayan Rim]]
* [[Mainland India]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Regions of India]]
[[Category:Regions of India]]
[[Category:Himalayan Rim]]

Latest revision as of 11:29, 17 February 2026

The parts of India marked in brown and white on this map lie in the IHR

The Indian Himalayan Region (abbreviated to IHR) is the section of the Himalayas within the Republic of India, spanning thirteen Indian states and union territories, namely Ladakh,[1] Jammu and Kashmir,[2][3][4] Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Assam.[5][6][7][8] The region is responsible for providing water to a large part of the Indian subcontinent and contains various flora and fauna.[9]

Physiographically, the Himalayas start from the foothills of south (Sivaliks) and extend up to the Tibetan plateau of the north (Trans-Himalaya). Three major geographical entities, the Himadri (greater Himalaya), Himachal (lesser Himalaya) and the Sivaliks (outer Himalaya), extend almost uninterrupted throughout its length and are separated by major geological fault lines. Huge but older waterways like the Indus, Sutlej, Kali, Kosi and Brahmaputra cut steep gorges through the main Himalayan range to escape into the Great Plains, establishing their antecedence.

The northernmost range of mountains are the trans-Himalayan Karakoram Mountains that continue from India into Pakistan and China. To the south of the Karakoram Range lie the Zanskar and Ladakh ranges.

Some of the highest mountains on Earth are also found in the region. Many perennial, glacier-fed rivers flow from the Himalayas.

Trans-Himalaya[edit | edit source]

Trans-Himalaya ranges in India include the Karakoram, Zanskar and Ladakh ranges that run through Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. At the eastern end, some portion of the Kangri Karpo (a trans-Himalayan range) forms part of the northern boundary of Arunachal Pradesh with Tibet.

Karakoram Range[edit | edit source]

The Karakoram is a giant range, which geographically divides India and Central Asia. The range consists of high mountain peaks like K2, Rimo and Teram Kargri. The Korakoram Pass acts as the main connector between the markets of Yarkand, Leh and Kashgar.

Ladakh Range[edit | edit source]

To the north of the Leh lies the Ladakh Range which is an important part of the Trans-Himalayan range that merges with the Kailash Range in Tibet. Here, the important passes are the famous Khardung La, and Digar La, which lie to the northeast of Leh.

Zanskar Range[edit | edit source]

The Zanskar Range lies to the north of the main Himalaya. It acts as a backbone of Ladakh south of the Indus River, extending 250 kilometres (160 mi) from the Karcha (Suru) River near Kargil in the northwest to Tso Kar in the southeast. The range separates Indus Valley from the Zanskar Valley. It is divided from the main Himalaya by the Stod, Tsarap and Zanskar valleys. Some of the main passes are the Fatu La, on the Leh-Srinagar road, while the main trekking passes into the Zanskar valley are Singge La, the Cha Cha La and the Rubrang La.

Middle Himalaya[edit | edit source]

Pir Panjal Range[edit | edit source]

To the south of the main Himalayas lies the lesser Himalayan Pir Panjal Range, with an average height of 5,000 metres (16,000 ft), in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The Kashmir valley is bounded by this range to its west and south. The resort town of Gulmarg is located on the northern slope of the range. Important passes include the Banihal pass, the Pir Panjal pass, the Sinthan pass and the Rohtang pass.

Dhauladhar Range[edit | edit source]

To the south of the Pir Panjal lies the Dhauladhar range. It lies to the north of the Kangra valley, from where it appears to rise almost vertical. It forms the water divide between the Ravi and Beas rivers. In the west it divides the Chenab valley and the Tawi Valley. It is located mostly in Himachal Pradesh.

Sivalik Hills[edit | edit source]

The southern most range of the Himalayas are the Sivaliks. Sivaliks extend over a width of 10–50 km, and have an altitude varying between 900 m and 1100 m.

These ranges are called by different names in different regions:

  • Jammu Hills in Jammu region
  • Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh

These parts consist of thick gravel and alluvium.

The valley lying between the Lesser Himalayas and Shivalik ranges are called as Duns. Dehradun, Kalka Dun, Kiyarda Dun and Jammu Dun are some of the prominent Duns. It is the southern most region of the Himalayas.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Beijing Tidak Akui Wilayah Persatuan Ladakh, Jubir Klaim Bentrokan Perbatasan Adalah Sisa Perselisihan Sejarah Pakistan-India". rmol-id.translate.goog. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  2. "Kashmir: Pakistan to seek International Court of Justice ruling". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  3. "Kashmir: What to Know About the Disputed Region | Council on Foreign Relations". www.cfr.org. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  4. "Think Tank Warns of Growing Gap in Jammu and Kashmir -THINK TANK JOURNAL". thinktank.pk. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  5. "SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYAN REGION". NITI Aayog. Retrieved 13 June 2023. The Indian Himalayan Region is spread across 13 Indian States/Union Territories (namely Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam and West Bengal), stretching across 2500 km.
  6. O'Neill, Alexander; et al. (25 February 2020). "Establishing Ecological Baselines Around a Temperate Himalayan Peatland". Wetlands Ecology & Management. 28 (2): 375–388. Bibcode:2020WetEM..28..375O. doi:10.1007/s11273-020-09710-7. S2CID 211081106.
  7. "Indian Himalayan Region - ENVIS Centre on Himalayan Ecology, GBPIHED".
  8. "Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)".
  9. Sustainable development of the Indian Himalayan region : Linking ecological and economic concerns

External links[edit | edit source]