Longitudinal Division of Himalayas

Kashmir /Punjab/ Himachal Himalayas

  • Located between the Indus gorge and the Satluj gorge
  • They are 560 km long and 320 km wide.
  • The Zaskar range forms the northern boundary and the Shiwaliks, the Southern boundary.
  • The region has a ridge and valley topography.
  • The region is famous for the Wular Lake and the Dal Lake. 
  • The region is also known for the karewa deposit used for saffron cultivation.
  • It is surrounded by the sloppy mountains of Zaskar and Pir Panjal where alpine grasslands are called Bugyals.
  • The only gateway to Kashmir from the South is the Banihal pass.
  • Other Passes in the region are Burzil Pass and Zojila pass.

Kumaun Himalayas

  • Between Satluj and Kali Gorges.
  • Kumaun Himalayas extend for 320 km.
  • Major mountain ranges – Nag Tibba, Dhaula Dhar, Mussoorie, and parts of the Greater Himalayas.
  • Major peaks – Nanda Devi, Kamet, Badrinath, Kedarnath, etc.
  • Major Glaciers – Gangotri, Yamunotri, Pindari, etc.
  • Vegetation –  coniferous forests above 3200m.

Central/ Nepal Himalayas

  • Between river Kali in the west and river Tista in the east.
  • Length is 800km.
  • Major peaks – Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Annapurna, Gosainthan, and Dhaulagiri.

Assam / Eastern Himalayas

  • Between the Tista River in the west and the Brahmaputra River in the east.
  • The length is 750 km.
  • Occupy mainly the areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan.
  • Earthquakes are very common in the region.
  • Inhabited by various tribes.

Purvanchal

  • The Purvanchal Range lies south of the Brahmaputra valley.
  • Major peaks – Saramati in Naga hills, Blue Mountain in Mizo hills.
  • Manipur hills are known for the Loktak Lake.
  • These mountains belong to Arakan Yoma orogenesis.
  • This region is known for shifting cultivation called jhumming.
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