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TheWestern Himalayas are the western half of theHimalayas, innorthwesternIndia and northernPakistan. Four of the five tributaries of theIndus River inPunjab (Beas,Chenab,Jhelum, andRavi) rise in the Western Himalayas; while the fifth, theSutlej cuts through the range after rising inTibet Autonomous Region ofChina
Included within the Western Himalayas are theZanskar Range, thePir Panjal Range, and theDhauladhar Range, and western parts of theSivalik Range and theGreat Himalayas. The highest point isNanga Parbat (26,660 feet or 8,126 metres), at the northwestern end of the region. It is part of theHimalayanbiodiversity hotspot.
Climate in high altitudes of the Western Himalayas is poorly known due to the difficulties in maintaining observational networks.[1]
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The Western Himalayas are drained by several perennial, glacier-fed rivers that are vital for irrigation,hydroelectricity, and drinking water:
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Agriculture is the main economic activity in the area. The main crops grown in this region arepaddy andwheat. The region is a major hub of horticulture in the Indian subcontinent.Apples are grown inKashmir,Kinnaur,Kishtwar, andKullu valleys, as well as the hills ofShimla. These regions, particularly Kashmir and the Shimla Hills produce almost all the apples grown in India and South Asia.Saffron is also grown in Kashmir and Kishtwar, while dry fruits are grown in several areas of the western Himalayan region.Tea is grown in the Kangra valley. A large number of people from nomadic pastoral communities such asGurjars,Bakarwals andGaddis living in the alpine and subalpine areas of these mountains engage in cattle rearing.
Tourism is another major industry. The city ofSrinagar in the Kashmir Valley is famous for itshouseboats andshikaras on theDal andNigeen lakes.Shogran,Murree,Pahalgam,Sonmarg,Gulmarg,Dalhousie,Chamba,Khajjiar,Mcleodganj,Dharamshala,Palampur,Rewalsar,Prashar,Kullu,Manali,Kasol,Banjar,Solang,Kasauli,Kufri,Narkanda andShimla are famoushill stations.
Amarnath,Vaishno Devi,Jwalaji,Chintpurni,Chamunda Devi,Bajreshwari Devi,Naina Devi,Baglamukhi,Hidimba Devi,Baba Balaknath Deotsidh,Bhimakali,Jakhu andTara Devi are important pilgrimage centres attracting several hundred thousands of pilgrims each year. Gulmarg and Manali are popular winter-sports destinations where activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding etc. are done, while adventure sports like paragliding are done atBir and Billing.
Several perennial rivers flow through these mountains which makes them ideal forhydroelectricity generation, and thus, several hydroelectric projects are complete or underway in Pakistan and India.
The climate of the Western Himalayas varies significantly with altitude and location. Lower elevations experiencetemperate conditions, while higher altitudes are subject tosubarctic and alpine climates. Winters are long and harsh in the upper reaches, with heavy snowfall between November and March. In contrast, the foothills enjoy a relatively mild winter and warm summer.
The climate plays a crucial role in shaping the region’s ecology, agriculture, and tourism patterns.
The Western Himalayas were formed as a result of the ongoingcollision between the Indian and Eurasiantectonic plates, a process that began approximately 50 million years ago. The region continues to experienceseismic activity, with numerous fault lines and thrust zones including the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Main Central Thrust (MCT).
Key geological features:
Frequent landslides, rockfalls, and glacial movements are ongoing geological processes that shape the dynamic Himalayan landscape.
Transportation in the Western Himalayas is challenging due to rugged terrain, high altitudes, and seasonal weather variations. However, the region is gradually becoming more accessible due to ongoing infrastructure development.
Seasonal closures due to snow, landslides, and floods often hamper accessibility, especially in remote districts.
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Many sites revered by people belonging to various faiths and religions.