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{{Short description|none}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! --> | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}} | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}} | ||
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|continent = [[Asia]] | |continent = [[Asia]] | ||
|region = {{flag|India}} | |region = {{flag|India}} | ||
|area ranking = | |area ranking = | ||
|km area = 53,483 | |km area = 53,483 | ||
|percent land = | |percent land = | ||
|percent water = | |percent water = | ||
|km coastline = 0 | |km coastline = 0 | ||
|borders = | |borders = {{flagicon|China}} [[Tibet Autonomous Region]] <br /> {{flagicon|Nepal}} [[Sudurpashchim Pradesh]] <br /> {{flagicon|India}} [[Uttar Pradesh]] <br /> {{flagicon|India}} [[Himachal Pradesh]] | ||
|highest point = [[Nanda Devi]] <br />{{convert| | |highest point = [[Nanda Devi]] <br />{{convert|7817|m|ft}} | ||
|lowest point = [[Sharda River|Sharda Sagar Reservoir]] <br />{{convert|187|m|ft}} | |lowest point = [[Sharda River|Sharda Sagar Reservoir]] <br />{{convert|187|m|ft}} | ||
|longest river = [[Ganges]] | |longest river = [[Ganges]] | ||
|largest lake = [[Ramganga| | |largest lake = [[Ramganga|Ramganga–Sonanadi Reservoir]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''[[Uttarakhand]]''' has a total | '''[[Uttarakhand]]''' has a total geographic area of 53,483 km<sup>2</sup>, of which 86% is mountainous and 65% is covered by [[forest]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fsi.org.in/cover_2011/uttarakhand.pdf |title=State of Uttarakhand |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523232018/http://www.fsi.org.in/cover_2011/uttarakhand.pdf |archivedate=23 May 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Most of the northern parts of the state are part of Greater Himalaya ranges, covered by the high [[Himalaya]]n peaks and glaciers, while the lower foothills were densely forested till denuded by the British log merchants and later, after independence, by forest contractors. Recent efforts in [[reforestation]], however, have been successful in restoring the situation to some extent. The unique Himalayan ecosystem plays host to many animals (including [[bharal]], [[snow leopard]]s, [[leopard]]s and [[tiger]]s), plants and rare herbs. Two of India's great rivers, the [[Ganges]] and the [[Yamuna]] take birth in the glaciers of Uttarakhand, and are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams.<ref>Himalayan Rivers, Lakes and Glaciers. [[New Delhi]]: [[Indus]] Pub. Co.</ref> | ||
{{wide image|Himalaya Panorama Alok Prasad.jpg | 2800px | A panorama of [[Garhwal Himalaya]] from [[Dhanaulti]]}} | {{wide image|Himalaya Panorama Alok Prasad.jpg | 2800px | A panorama of [[Garhwal Himalaya]] from [[Dhanaulti]]}} | ||
==Terrain and vegetation== | ==Terrain and vegetation== | ||
[[File:Nanda devi.jpg|thumb|250px|left|alt=Nanda Devi|With the elevation of {{convert|7, | [[File:Nanda devi.jpg|thumb|250px|left|alt=Nanda Devi|With the elevation of {{convert|7,817|m|ft}} above sea level, [[Nanda Devi]] is the highest mountain in Uttarakhand and the second-highest mountain in India, following [[Kangchenjunga]] in [[Sikkim]].]] | ||
[[File:SHARDA SAGAR DAM 01.jpg|thumb|250px|right|alt=Sharda Sagar Reservoir|With the elevation of {{convert|187|m|ft}} above sea level, [[Sharda River|Sharda Sagar Reservoir]] is the lowest land point in Uttarakhand.]] | [[File:SHARDA SAGAR DAM 01.jpg|thumb|250px|right|alt=Sharda Sagar Reservoir|With the elevation of {{convert|187|m|ft}} above sea level, [[Sharda River|Sharda Sagar Reservoir]] is the lowest land point in Uttarakhand.]] | ||
Uttarakhand lies on the southern slope of the [[Himalaya]] range, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to tropical forests at the lower elevations. The highest elevations are covered by ice and bare rock. [[Nanda Devi]] is the highest land point of Uttarakhand with the altitude of {{convert| | Uttarakhand lies on the southern slope of the [[Himalaya]] range, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to tropical forests at the lower elevations. The highest elevations are covered by ice and bare rock. [[Nanda Devi]] is the highest land point of Uttarakhand with the altitude of {{convert|7817|m|ft}} above sea level. [[Sharda River|Sharda Sagar Reservoir]] is the lowest land point of Uttarakhand with the altitude of {{convert|187|m|ft}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Sharda Sagar Reservoir in Tarai Region|url=http://oaji.net/pdf.html%3Fn%3D2017/6036-1522843486.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiM5_K5y8PkAhWGknAKHeL7B-sQFjAOegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw2vDxLKmM8imKtQxbyVI49S|format=pdf|publisher=Open Academics Journal Index|accessdate=9 September 2019}}</ref> [[Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows]] occur between {{convert|3000|and|5000|m|ft}}: tundra and alpine meadows cover the highest elevations, ''[[Rhododendron]]''-dominated shrublands cover the lower elevations. [[Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests]] lie just below the tree line; at {{convert|3000|to|2600|m|ft}} elevation they transition to [[western Himalayan broadleaf forests]], which lie in a belt from {{convert|2600|to|1500|m|ft}} elevation. Below {{convert|1500|m|ft}} elevation lie the [[Himalayan subtropical pine forests]]. The drier [[Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands]] belt and the [[Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests]] cover the lowlands along the Uttar Pradesh border. This belt is locally known as [[Bhabar]]. These lowland forests have mostly been cleared for agriculture, but a few pockets remain.<ref>Negi, S. S. (1995). Uttarakhand: land and people. New Delhi: MD Pub.</ref> | ||
During the last five years Uttarakhand witnessed number of forest fires. These fires include [[2020 Uttarakhand forest fires#Impact|2020 Uttarakhand forest fire]] and many others. Some of the consequences of these forest fires include loss of life, shrinking of forest areas, loss of biodiversity and decrease in [[Ecotourism]] in the state.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Edit |first=T. O. I. |title=Why Uttarakhand burns: The Himalayan state has emerged as India’s most ecologically fragile. We’re to blame |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-editorials/234570/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> | |||
==National parks== | ==National parks== | ||
[[National parks of India|Indian National Parks]] in Uttarakhand include the [[Jim Corbett National Park]] previously named as Hailey | [[National parks of India|Indian National Parks]] in Uttarakhand include the [[Jim Corbett National Park]] previously named as Hailey National Park (the oldest national park of India) in [[Nainital District]] and [[Pauri Garhwal District]], [[Valley of Flowers National Park]] and [[Nanda Devi National Park]] in [[Chamoli District]], which together are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]], [[Rajaji National Park]] in [[Haridwar District]], [[Dehradun District]] and [[Pauri Garhwal District]] and [[Govind Pashu Vihar National Park]] and [[Gangotri National Park]] in [[Uttarkashi District]]. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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{{Geography of India by state or territory}} | {{Geography of India by state or territory}} | ||
{{Uttarakhand}} | {{Uttarakhand}} | ||
[[Category:Geography of Uttarakhand| ]] | [[Category:Geography of Uttarakhand| ]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:47, 16 August 2025
Uttarakhand has a total geographic area of 53,483 km2, of which 86% is mountainous and 65% is covered by forest.[1] Most of the northern parts of the state are part of Greater Himalaya ranges, covered by the high Himalayan peaks and glaciers, while the lower foothills were densely forested till denuded by the British log merchants and later, after independence, by forest contractors. Recent efforts in reforestation, however, have been successful in restoring the situation to some extent. The unique Himalayan ecosystem plays host to many animals (including bharal, snow leopards, leopards and tigers), plants and rare herbs. Two of India's great rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna take birth in the glaciers of Uttarakhand, and are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams.[2]
Terrain and vegetation[edit | edit source]
Uttarakhand lies on the southern slope of the Himalaya range, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to tropical forests at the lower elevations. The highest elevations are covered by ice and bare rock. Nanda Devi is the highest land point of Uttarakhand with the altitude of 7,817 metres (25,646 ft) above sea level. Sharda Sagar Reservoir is the lowest land point of Uttarakhand with the altitude of 187 metres (614 ft).[3] Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows occur between 3,000 and 5,000 metres (9,800 and 16,400 ft): tundra and alpine meadows cover the highest elevations, Rhododendron-dominated shrublands cover the lower elevations. Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests lie just below the tree line; at 3,000 to 2,600 metres (9,800 to 8,500 ft) elevation they transition to western Himalayan broadleaf forests, which lie in a belt from 2,600 to 1,500 metres (8,500 to 4,900 ft) elevation. Below 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) elevation lie the Himalayan subtropical pine forests. The drier Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands belt and the Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests cover the lowlands along the Uttar Pradesh border. This belt is locally known as Bhabar. These lowland forests have mostly been cleared for agriculture, but a few pockets remain.[4]
During the last five years Uttarakhand witnessed number of forest fires. These fires include 2020 Uttarakhand forest fire and many others. Some of the consequences of these forest fires include loss of life, shrinking of forest areas, loss of biodiversity and decrease in Ecotourism in the state.[5]
National parks[edit | edit source]
Indian National Parks in Uttarakhand include the Jim Corbett National Park previously named as Hailey National Park (the oldest national park of India) in Nainital District and Pauri Garhwal District, Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park in Chamoli District, which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rajaji National Park in Haridwar District, Dehradun District and Pauri Garhwal District and Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi District.
See also[edit | edit source]
- List of mountain peaks of Uttarakhand
- Lakes of Kumaon hills
- Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
- Indomalayan realm
- Himalayan states
- Indian Himalayan Region
- Ecology of the Himalayas
- Geology of the Himalayas
- Geography of India
- Geology of India
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "State of Uttarakhand" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 May 2012.
- ↑ Himalayan Rivers, Lakes and Glaciers. New Delhi: Indus Pub. Co.
- ↑ "Ichthyofaunal Diversity of Sharda Sagar Reservoir in Tarai Region" (pdf). Open Academics Journal Index. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
- ↑ Negi, S. S. (1995). Uttarakhand: land and people. New Delhi: MD Pub.
- ↑ Edit, T. O. I. "Why Uttarakhand burns: The Himalayan state has emerged as India's most ecologically fragile. We're to blame". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
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