The
Great Himalayas, consisting of a series of parallel ranges and having about
2500km length from west to east stands like a great wall on the northern side
of Indian continent. The most significant geographical structure of India
influences our nation in such a way that no other mountain system have
influenced any other nation.
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1.
PHYSICAL
BARRIER : It
acts as a compound wall that separates India from central and East Asian
countries. It also accounts for the difference in climatic and weather patterns
between Indian sub-continent from the rest of Asia.
2.
NATURAL
FRONTIER : The
Himalayas acts as a defense barrier and have been protecting India from foreign
invasions since early times. History gives us the evidence that no invaders
attacked India after crossing the Himalayas. Even though China's aggression is
an exception, the significance of Himalayas cannot be ignored completely.
3.
CLIMATIC
INFLUENCE : The
Himalayas play a very important role in influencing the climate of India. India
is a monsoon land only because of the presence of Himalayas. It traps the
monsoon winds from Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal and forces them to shed their
moisture content within the Indian sub-continent in the form of snow and rain.
It also blocks the cold winter storms of East Asia from entering India, thus
protecting us from severe cold. The Himalayas splits the westerly jet streams
into two branches such that the southward branch entering India plays a
significant role in bringing the monsoon.
4.
SOURCE
REGION OF RIVERS : The
Himalayas is the abundant reservoir of Great Indian rivers such as Ganga, Indus
and Brahmaputra. The snow melt in summer and precipitation in winter makes them
perennial rivers. i.e, having water throughout the year. The abundant
waterfall, huge snowfield and large glaciers feed these drainage systems. The
Himalayan rivers give life to the northern India.
5.
FERTILITY
OF SOIL : The
entire northern plains were made by the Himalayas. The Himalayan Rivers carry
slits on their way down and deposit in the northern plain. These alluvial
deposits are responsible for the high fertility of this land. Therefore, it is
often said that northern great plain is a gift of Himalayas.
6.
HYDRO
ELECTRIC POWER PROJECTS : The
Himalayan valley with natural waterfalls offers the best location for
construction of dams. The vast potential of Himalayan rivers offer a great
range for construction of many mainstream dams.
7.
BIODIVERSITY
AND VEGETATION : The
Himalayan ranges is famous for its rich biodiversity. There is altitudinal
zonation of vegetation from the tropic to the alpine. The forests provide fuel
woods, medicinal plants and various raw materials that are needed for the
forest based industries. Rich pastures for grazing is also an adding feature of
the Himalayas.
8.
AGRICULTURE
: The Himalayas does
not have much flat lands, so offers slopes that are terraced for cultivation.
The major crop is Rice. Crops like wheat, maize, potatoes, ginger, and tobacco
are also cultivated. Tea is a unique crop which grows only on hill slopes. Many
fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, mulberries, cherries along with citrus
fruits are grown in the Himalayan region.
9.
MINERAL
RESOURCES : Himalayan
region contain many valuable mineral resources. The tertiary rocks have vast
potential of mineral oil. Coal is found in Kashmir. Also minerals such as
Copper, Cobalt, Nickel, Zinc, Lead, Antimony, Tungsten, Limestone, Gypsum and
Magnetite are also present in the Himalayan locality. The presence of Gold,
Silver and other semi-precious and precious stones are also the feature of
Himalayan region.
10.
TOURISM
: The beautiful
landscapes on Himalayan mountain offer a great tourist spot. Increasing
popularity of winter sports, snowfall and the cool climate, when neighboring
places are under the scorching heat of summer attracts millions of tourists
from different parts of the world. Hill stations such as Missouri, Shimla, Kulu,
Manali, Nainital, Chamba, Ranikhat, Almora, Darjeeling, Mirik, Gangtok etc.
provide huge scope of tourism due to its scenic beauty as well as healthy
environment.
11.
PILGRIMAGE
: The Himalayas is
known as the house of Gods. Apart from its tourist places, the region is
studded with sanctified shrines. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Vaishnodevi, Kailash,
Amarnath, Tungnath, Uttarkashi, Gangotri, Yamunotri etc. which are at high
altitudes are famous pilgrim centers in the Himalayas.
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