Geography Of Himachal Pradesh

Where Is Himachal Pradesh?

Himachal Pradesh is a north Indian state that is bordered to the north by Jammu and Kashmir, on the west by Chandigarh and Punjab, on the southwest by Haryana, on the southeast by Uttarakhand, and on the east by the Tibet Autonomous Region. 

Climate Of Himachal Pradesh

The climatic conditions vary greatly in Himachal Pradesh due to extreme variation in elevation. The climate in the southern parts of the state is hot and subhumid tropical while that in the mountain ranges of the east and north is cold and alpine. The precipitation pattern of the state also differs and places like Dharamsala receives high rainfall and those in Spiti and Lahaul are nearly rainless. Summer season in the Indian state lasts between mid-April to end of June when temperatures range from 28 to 32 °C. November to mid-March is the winter season when snowfall is common in the alpine tracts.

Topology Of Himachal Pradesh

Elevation of Himachal Pradesh ranges from 450 meters to more than 6,800 meters above sea level. The elevation of the land in the state increases from south to north and west to east. The highest mountain peak of Himachal Pradesh is Reo Purgyil at 6,816 meters. 

The mountain ranges in Himachal Pradesh from south to north is the following order:

1 The Outer Himalayas (Shivaliks)

2 The Lesser Himalayas

3 The Great Himalayas

4 Zanskar range

Mineral Wealth Of Himachal Pradesh

The Indian state has rich mineral resources. The most abundant minerals occurring in the state include limestone, clays, mica, salt, byrytes, gypsum, slate, lead, antimony, and iron pyrites. The mineral deposits are scattered throughout the state.

Soil Of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has nine groups of soils. These include:

1. Alluvial Soil
2. Brown Earth
3. Brown Hill Soil
4. Grey Brown Podzolic Soils
5. Planosolic Soils
6. Brown Forest Soil
7. Grey Wooded Soil
8. Alpine Humus Mountain Speletal Soil

Rivers Of Himachal Pradesh

The glaciers of Himachal Pradesh feeds both the Indus and the Ganges basins. The major perennial rivers flowing through the state are Ravi, Beas, Chenab, Sutlej, and the Yamuna. 

The Beas: The river rises near the Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal Range and flows 256 km from there. The major tributaries of this river are the Hurla, Sainj, Uhl, Parbati, Banganga, Luni, and Chaki. The tributaries flowing from the north and east are perennial and snow-fed while those in the southern part are seasonal.

The Chenab: It is the largest river that is formed by the meeting of two rivers, the Bhaga and Chandra at Tandi. The river flows for a distance of 122 km and its basin occupies an area of 7,500 square km in Himachal. 

The Ravi: The river is born in Bara Bhangal at the confluence of the two glacier-fed streams, the Tantgari and Bhadal. The river flows for a distance of 158 km and its catchment area occupies nearly 5,451 square km.

The Sutlej: The Sutlej River which originated in Tibet, cuts through the Himalayan ranges to enter India where it has a catchment area of about 20,000 square km in Himachal Pradesh.

The Yamuna: The Yamuna originates in the Yamunotri in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi District. It has a catchment area of 2,320 square km in Himachal Pradesh. The Bata, Giri, and the Tons are the tributaries of the Yamuna.

State Symbols Of Himachal Pradesh

State animal: Snow Leopard

State bird: Western tragopan 

State flower: Pink rhododendron

State tree: Deodar cedar

Protected Areas In Himachal Pradesh

38.3% of the land area of Himachal Pradesh (37,691 square kilometres) is covered by forested area. The forests were cleared on a large-scale for developmental activities but now the focus has shifted from exploitation to conservation. Today, Himachal Pradesh has 33 Sanctuaries, and two National Parks. The list is presented below:

Flora Of Himachal Pradesh

The vegetation in Himachal Pradesh is wide and varied and differs with differing elevation and levels of precipitation. The state is a rich harbor for a large number of aromatic, and medicinal plant. The Lahaul-Spiti, though a cold desert, hosts a variety of plants of medicinal value like the Lancea tibetica, Saussurea bracteata, Ferula jaeschkeana, and the Hyoscyamus Niger. 

The state also enjoys the status of being the fruit bowl of India. Fruit orchards are widespread. Vast green pastures and meadows form the landscape of the steep slopes of the state’s hills and mountains. The hillsides and the orchards of Himachal Pradesh bloom during the spring season and the place thus has a magical appearance during this time. Flowers like marigolds, gladiolas, roses, chrysanthemums, lilies, tulips, and more are cultivated on the slopes of the hills of the state. The state holds the potential of being the flower basket of the world.

Fauna Of Himachal Pradesh

The Indian state hosts nearly 463 species of birds, 77 species of mammals, 44 reptilian species, and 80 species of fish. The state is home to a UNESCO Word Heritage Site which is the Great Himalayan National Park. 

The state is a favorite bird and butterfly watching spot for many from across the world since it is home to a large number of colorful avians including both migratory birds and resident ones. Blue sheep, snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan brown bear, etc., are some of the most notable mammalian species living in the region.