You’ve probably heard of the Himalayan Mountain, but do you really know its biodiversity, climate, and landscape? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Here, we’ll discuss what makes it so fascinating! But how does it fit into the world we live in? The following article will provide some background information. Hopefully, it will inspire you to learn more about this majestic mountain. And don’t forget to check out our video on the Himalayan Mountains.
Biodiversity of Indian Himalayas
A systematic literature review on biodiversity in the Himalaya reveals a lack of publications focusing on certain groups of organisms or regions. Ecological and evolutionary research is still the dominant field of study, accounting for 40% of all journal articles, theses, and books published since 1808. Two thirds of all publications focus on diversity, distribution, community, and forest ecology, while the remainder are divided between plant and animal groups.
One major threat to biodiversity in the Himalayas is the expansion of human activities, particularly in the eastern Himalayas. Other threats include climate change, which affects local lives and ecosystems. Changing weather patterns have disrupted the cycle of crops. In some areas, monsoons are dispersed early in the year, which leaves farmers without crops next year. This threatens food security for the entire region and hampers exports.
There is a growing need to study climate change’s effects on forest ecosystems in the Himalayan mountain range. The Indian Himalayan region has considerable hydropower potential, which depends on the sustainable existence of glaciers. Furthermore, the region is one of 34 “biological hotspots” on the planet. While these areas are considered vital to maintaining the region’s biodiversity, they are also fragile landscapes subject to natural hazards. In addition to increasing global warming, the region may experience droughts, abnormal floods, and landslides.
Climate of Indian Himalayas
The climate of the Himalayan Mountain is changing, and this change affects water resources in downstream regions. Changes in climate in this region have occurred over the last few decades, but associated meteorological factors are not well understood. Global climate models are unable to reproduce the orographic diurnal cycle. However, 36-year high-resolution dynamical downscaling provides contrasting trends across the diurnal cycle. Warming of slopes and clearer skies have enhanced katabatic and anabatic downslope winds.
The Himalayan Mountains are primarily covered by a subregion that corresponds to the central/eastern part of the Himalaya. During the summer, this area experiences significant drying and warming. The climate of this region is a complex combination of various factors, but overall, it is a relatively mild region. It is important to note that some areas are significantly colder than others. While the climate of the Himalayan Mountain region varies considerably, the regions that experience the greatest change in climate tend to be higher than those in the rest of the world.
The lower Himalayan Mountains, particularly the Kathmandu valley, have a subtropical highland climate. On the other hand, the higher Himalayas, also known as the Tibetan Himalaya, are cold and dry deserts, with negative annual and monthly mean temperatures. Moreover, winters are harsh, and most precipitation occurs in the spring and early summer months. In this climate, it is very important to monitor the weather in the Himalayan Mountains to understand the seasonal changes.
Landscape
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Himalayan vegetation is classified according to altitude, rainfall, and soil type. This landscape consists of four different types of vegetation. In the subtropical zone, vegetation consists of tropical deciduous trees and can reach up to 7,200 feet (2200 meters). At higher elevations, the climate is more extreme and includes alpine zones with juniper, rhododendron, mosses, and other plants.
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The Himalayas formed as the highest mountains in the world during the Pleistocene Epoch, approximately 2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago. After the Pleistocene, a series of phases of uplift occurred, including the formation of the Great and Tethys Himalayas. During the Miocene epoch, the Great Himalayas were uplifted by about 33 million years ago.
The Himalayan ranges are divided into four main areas, each with their own distinct physiographic and geological features. The major ranges are the Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and the Trans-Himalayas. The Trans-Himalayas extends farther north and is made up of three mountainous regions: the Western, Eastern, and Eastern Himalayas. These regions are also categorized as sub-ranges.
Landform
The Himalayan Mountains have been home to people for thousands of years, forming the largest mountain range in the world. Due to their high elevation, they receive extreme temperatures and precipitation levels. The range has three distinct climate zones: equatorial, sub-tropical, and polar. The Himalayas are the highest mountains in the world and have the highest permanent snow line. Their higher elevations are also a source of large perennial rivers.
The Himalayas are made up of several parallel mountain ranges including the Greater Himalayas, Lesser Himalayas, and Siwalik ranges. These ranges are further divided into the Western, Central, and Eastern Himalayas. The Himalayan Mountains contain the third-largest deposit of ice and snow on Earth. Moreover, more than 15,000 glaciers exist in the region. Despite their vast size, the Himalayas still have many surprises to offer.
This chain is made of rocks that were forced upwards millions of years ago. This massive landform holds clues to the tectonic plates that shaped the Earth. Scientists are studying the way the Himalayas were shaped by the forces of nature. A cross-section of the Himalayan Mountains does not represent the chronology of these mountains, since they are composed of rocks that were pushed upward at different rates and from depths that differ tens of millions of years ago.
People
The Himalayan region includes the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, as well as parts of Bhutan and Tibet. More than 50 million people live within the Himalayas, while another 450 million live at the foot of the mountains. The entire population relies on the mountain’s resources to survive. This is why the Himalayan region is often called the “Roof of the World.”
However, as their population increases, fewer mountain people are able to maintain their traditional lifestyles. While some of the mountain dwellers do migrate to lower land for better crop production, many more continue to live as squatters on forested land. Unfortunately, this causes massive landslides to occur in the spring and summer months, uprooting more trees and laying waste to half the hillside. As a result, the mountain people often have to move to another squat to make room for their growing livestock.
The Himalayas were formed by collision between two plates – the Indian plate and the Asian plate. During the Late Cretaceous, the Indian plate began to move northward and collided with the Asian plate. The result was the formation of the South Indian Ocean. The Himalayas are continuing to grow today – they are increasing by 5mm per year. The ancient sea cows of Hokkaido were their ancestors, along with manatees, elephants, and dugongs.
Tourism
The tourism industry in the Himalayan Mountain region is an economic boon for the countries that host these destinations. In Nepal alone, the tourism industry contributes to ten percent of the GDP, and the industry in Kathmandu has also created jobs in the capital. Former farmers and herders have found new employment as hospitality workers and best tour operator in india, and people once dependent on farming can now earn their livings as tour guides. This industry has greatly benefited not only Nepal, but also neighboring countries such as India, China, and Pakistan.
There are many similarities and differences between tourism and pilgrimage, but the two are often considered to be different. For example, modern Western pleasure tourists shop for new locations by selecting them based on commercial promotion and novelty. The popularity of tourism in the Himalayan Mountains has suffered if the country’s political instability has dampened pilgrimage. Nevertheless, some pilgrims and tourists continue to follow traditions, despite the deteriorating economic state.
There are several types of tourism in the Himalayan Mountains, including skiing, hiking, and mountaineering. Because the range is on the northern border of India, many parts of the Himalayas are off-limits to foreign tourists. Territorial disputes and militants can make access to these areas difficult. In addition, many tourists associate Himalayan mountain tourism with pilgrimage. If you love the outdoors, this region is a perfect destination for your next vacation!
