Regional Division of Himalayas
Complete exam-oriented quick revision notes
Regional Division of Himalayas
The Himalayas are divided into different regional divisions on the basis of rivers and geographical features.
Four Major Regional Divisions:
Punjab Himalayas, Kumaon Himalayas, Nepal Himalayas and Assam Himalayas.
Four Regional Divisions
| Region | Location |
|---|---|
| Punjab Himalayas | Between Indus and Sutlej rivers. |
| Kumaon Himalayas | Between Sutlej and Kali rivers. |
| Nepal Himalayas | Between Kali and Teesta rivers. |
| Assam Himalayas | Between Teesta and Dihang rivers. |
Exam Point:
Punjab Himalayas → Indus to Sutlej | Kumaon Himalayas → Sutlej to Kali | Nepal Himalayas → Kali to Teesta | Assam Himalayas → Teesta to Dihang
Kashmir Valley
- The Kashmir Valley is known for Karewa formations.
- Karewas are composed of glacial and lacustrine deposits.
- Karewas are used to grow Zafran, a local variety of saffron.
- Important passes include Zoji La, Banihal, Photu La and Khardung La.
- Important freshwater lakes include Dal and Wular.
- Important saltwater lakes include Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.
- The Indus River and its tributaries, such as the Jhelum and Chenab, drain this region.
Important:
Karewa formations = Glacial + Lacustrine deposits
Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas
- They are spread across J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- This region is drained by two of India’s largest river systems, the Indus and the Ganga.
- The Bhotia tribe live largely in the valleys of the Greater Himalayan range.
- They are nomadic people who travel to the Bugyals during summer.
Key Term:
Bugyals = Summer grasslands in the mountains
Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas
- This region is home to India’s highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga.
- The Lepcha and Bhutia tribes live in the higher elevations of this region.
- Duar formation can also be seen here.
Exam Point:
Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas are associated with Mt. Kanchenjunga, Lepcha and Bhutia tribes, and Duar formation.
Orientation of Himalayas
| Region | Orientation |
|---|---|
| J&K | North-West to South-East |
| Sikkim | East-West |
| Arunachal Pradesh | South-West to North-East |
| Eastern Himalayas | North-South |
Arunachal Himalayas
- The eastern border of the Eastern Himalayas is formed by Arunachal Himalayas.
- Important peaks include Kangtu and Namcha Barwa.
- Important rivers include Kameng, Subansiri and Dibang.
- The Monpa, Dafla, Miri, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and Nagas are some of the well-known hill groups from west to east.
- Jhum cultivation is practised by the majority of these groups.
- Mt. Kangto is the highest peak of Arunachal Pradesh.
Exam Point:
Mt. Kangto = Highest peak of Arunachal Pradesh
Eastern / Purvanchal Hills
The Purvanchal Hills are part of the Himalayan mountain chain, with a basic alignment from north to south.
Extent:
They extend from Arunachal Pradesh in the north to Mizoram in the south.
Important Hills and Peaks
- Patkai Hills
- Naga Hills — highest peak: Saramati Peak, Nagaland
- Manipur Hills — highest peak: Mount Iso / Esii / Tempü, Manipur
- Mizo / Lushai Hills — highest peak: Mt. Phawngpui, also known as Blue Mountain, Mizoram
- Mt. Jophuno — Sikkim
- Gorichen Peak — Arunachal Pradesh
- Thaidawlang / Thaidaw Trang — Tripura
Important River Fact:
In Manipur and Mizoram, the Barak River, also known as Molasses Basin in the source, is a significant river.
Manipur — Important Facts
- Manipur is known for Loktak Lake, described in the source as the world’s only floating lake.
- Keibul Lamjao National Park is located here.
- The source describes Keibul Lamjao National Park as the world’s only floating national park.
Exam Point:
Loktak Lake + Keibul Lamjao National Park = Manipur
Important Notes
- The Barail Range lies in the north-east and stretches from Nagaland and Manipur in the east towards Meghalaya in the west.
- The Barail Range acts as a watershed between the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers.
- Garo, Khasi, Jaintia and North Cachar Hills are not part of the Himalayas but are part of the Peninsular Plateau.
Remember:
Garo + Khasi + Jaintia + North Cachar Hills = Peninsular Plateau, not Himalayas.
Quick Revision — Regional Division of Himalayas
| Region | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Punjab Himalayas | Between Indus and Sutlej rivers. |
| Kumaon Himalayas | Between Sutlej and Kali rivers. |
| Nepal Himalayas | Between Kali and Teesta rivers. |
| Assam Himalayas | Between Teesta and Dihang rivers. |
| Kashmir Valley | Karewa formations, Zafran, Dal, Wular, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. |
| Himachal & Uttarakhand | Indus and Ganga systems, Bhotia tribe and Bugyals. |
| Darjeeling & Sikkim | Mt. Kanchenjunga, Lepcha and Bhutia tribes, Duar formation. |
| Arunachal Himalayas | Kangto, Namcha Barwa, Kameng, Subansiri, Dibang and Jhum cultivation. |
| Purvanchal Hills | Patkai, Naga, Manipur and Mizo/Lushai Hills. |
One-Line Revision
River Sequence:
Indus → Sutlej → Kali → Teesta → Dihang
Regional Sequence:
Punjab → Kumaon → Nepal → Assam
Eastern Himalayas:
Arunachal Himalayas + Purvanchal Hills