Continental Drift Theory:

• German meteorologist Prof. Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift in 1912.

• He proposed that around 250 million years before the present, the first continental portion of
the earth was called ‘Pangea’, and the oceanic part was called ‘Panthalassa’.

• Later, a sea called Tethys divided Pangea into two parts, namely Laurentia (Laurasia) or
Angaraland to the north and Gondwanaland to the south of Tethys.

• According to the continental drift theory, these large two pieces continued to break apart into
smaller continents that are seen today, and scientists called this movement ‘continental drift’.

• The Angaraland included North America, Europe and Asia (except peninsular India).

• The Gondwanan supercontinent consisted of present day landmasses:

Africa, South America, India, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica.

• The Himalayas are the youngest fold mountain range in India as well as in the entire world.

• The Aravali mountain range is the oldest mountain (fold) range in India & one of the oldest fold
mountains in the world.

• 'Pamir Knot' or Pamir mountain (between central Asia & Pakistan) range is known as
'The roof of the World'.
The Northern Mountains

Origin of Himalaya
•● The
Theexistence
existenceofof
the Himalayas
the Himalayasis due to the
is due topowerful earth movement
the powerful earth
between the Indo Australian Plate (Indian plate) and the Eurasian
movement
Plates between
about 70-80 theyears
million IndoagoAustralian Plate and the
in the Jurassic-Cretaceous period
ofEurasian
MesozoicPlates
era when India
about 80was part years
million of the Gondwana
ago. landmass in the
Southern Hemisphere. Himalayas started originating about 40-50 million
The time
● years is known
ago during as the Jurassic
the Cretaceous periodage when India
of Mesozoic era was part of
& Paleogene
period of Cenozoic era.
the Gondwana landmass in the Southern Hemisphere.
● The vast area of the Gondwana landmass includes the areas
of India, Australia, Africa, South America and Antarctica.
● In the middle Mesozoic era, Gondwana Land was divided into
many pieces by Convection currents.
● Convection currents play a significant role in the geological
processes that have shaped the Earth's crust, and they are
particularly relevant to the concept of Gondwana land and
plate tectonics. Convection currents in the mantle are a
driving force behind the movement of these tectonic plates.
● The movement of tectonic plates has played a crucial role in
the breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana over millions of
years.
● After this division, the Indian plate started shifting towards the
North after getting separated from the Gondwana land.
● As a result of the displacement towards the north, the Indian
Plate collided with the much larger plate, the Eurasian Plate.
● After this collision, the sedimentary rocks of the Tethys Sea
located between these two plates were folded and developed
into the Himalayas and the mountain ranges of West Asia.
(Plate-tectonic theory)
• The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several tectonic plates, which float on
the semi-fluid Asthenosphere beneath. These plates are in constant motion
due to the convective currents in the underlying mantle.
 developed into the Himalayas and the mountain ranges of
West Asia.
● The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several tectonic plates,
which float on the semi-fluid Asthenosphere beneath. These
plates are in constant motion due to the convective currents
in the underlying mantle.

The Northern Mountains:

● It is divided into three groups. They are:

➔ The Trans Himalayas
➔ The Himalayas
➔ The Purvanchal hills

Trans Himalaya:
● It is situated to the north of the Greater Himalayas. It was
formed even before the Himalayas.
● Due to its presence in Tibet, it is also called 'Tibetan
Himalaya'.
● Under this comes the Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar mountain
range. (KLZ)
● The Karakoram range is also known as the 'Backbone of High
Asia'. because of its significance in terms of geography,
elevation, and the concentration of high peaks.
● India's highest peak and the World's Second highest peak
Godwin Austin (K2) is located in the Karakoram range of the
Trans Himalayas, which is the second-highest peak on Earth.
Its height is 8,611 meters.
(If Kanchenjunga is not in option, instead K2 is- then tick K2)
• Karakoram range is also known as 'Krishnagiri' range.
 ● The Siachen Glacier and the Biafo Glacier, which are the
world's 2nd and 3rd largest glaciers respectively, are located
in the Karakoram range.
● Mount Kailash, the sacred mountain of Hinduism, is located in
the Kailash Range of the Trans Himalaya, in the western part of the
the western part of the Trans Himalayan range.
Tibetan Plateau.

The Himalayan Mountains

● Himalayas are the young fold mountains.
● The term "fold" refers to the process by which Rocks bend and
buckle due to Earth's tectonic forces. When tectonic plates
move and collide, the intense pressure causes the Earth's
crust to fold, crumple, and rise, leading to the formation of
mountain ranges.
● The Himalayas formed as a result of the collision between the
Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
● This is the highest mountain range of the world.
● The Himalayas act as a “Natural barrier”. The extreme cold,
snow and rugged topography discourage the neighbors from
entering India through the Himalayas.
● They run from the West-East direction from Indus to
Brahmaputra along the northern boundary of India covering
a distance of 2500 KM.
● Their width varies from 400 in the west and 150 KM in the East
● The Himalayas may be divided into three parallel ranges: (Latitudinal division or
North-South division)
➔ Greater Himalayas or ‘Himadri’
➔ Lesser Himalayas or ‘Himachal’
➔ Outer Himalayas or ‘Siwaliks’
The Greater Himalayas or Himadri

● It is also called 'Great Himalaya', 'Inner Himalaya' and

'Himadri'.
● It extends from Nanga Parbat in the west to Namcha Barwa in
the east. (Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan) (Arunachal Pradesh)

● The Greater Himalayas comprises the northernmost ranges

and peaks.
● It has an average height of 6000 meters and width lies
between 120 to 190 Kms.
● It has high peaks like Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu,
Dhaulagiri, Nanga Parbat etc.
● having a height of more than 8000 meters. Mt. Everest (8848
m) is the highest peak of the world and Kanchenjunga is the
highest peak of Himalaya in India.
● High Mountain passes also exist in this range, namely, Bara
Lacha-La, Shipki-La, Nathu-La, Zoji-La, Bomidi-La etc.
● The Ganga and Yamuna rivers originate from the Himalayas.
• Local names of Himalaya:

1) Sagarmatha (Goddess of the Sky)- Nepal

2) Chomulungma / Qumolungma (Goddess Mother of the World)- Tibet
3) Zhumolungma- China
Mountain peaks & their locations:

1) Nepal-Tibet border- Mt Everest, Lhotse, Makalu

2) Nepal- Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Mansalu
3) Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan (PoK)- K2 (Godwin-Austen), Nanga Parvat
4) Sikkim- Kanchenjunga
5) Arunachal Pradesh- Namcha Barwa

Mountain Peak Height Location Important Point

Nepal/Tibet
Mount Everest 8,850 Highest peak in the world.
border

K2 (Mount Pakistan (PoK) Second highest peak in the

8,611
Godwin-Austen) (Gilgit-Baltistan) world.

Third highest peak and

Kangchenjunga 8,598 Sikkim, India
revered in local culture.

Nepal/Tibet Connected to Mount

Lhotse 8,516
border Everest.

Nepal/Tibet Fifth highest peak in the

Makalu 8,485
border world.

Seventh highest peak in the

Dhaulagiri 8,172 Nepal
world.(Also called the 'White Mountain')

Eighth highest peak in the

Manaslu 8,163 Nepal
world.

Pakistan (PoK) Known as the "Killer

Nanga Parbat 8,126
(Gilgit-Baltistan) Mountain."

Annapurna 8,091 Nepal —-------------

The Lesser Himalayas or ‘Himachal’

● It is also called 'Small Himalaya'. It extends to the south of the

Greater Himalayas.
 The Lesser Himalayas or ‘Himachal’ or 'Middle Himalayas'

• It is also called 'Small Himalaya'. It extends to the south of the

Greater Himalayas.
● The average width of this mountain range is 50 kilometers
and the average height ranges from 3,100 to 4,500 meters.
(Largest of Lesser Himalaya)
● The Lesser Himalayas are known as the Pir Panjal Range in
Jammu and Kashmir, the Dhauladhar Range in Himachal
Pradesh, the Nag Tibba Range in Uttarakhand and the
Mahabharat Range in Nepal.
● The world famous 'Kashmir Valley' is situated between the
Greater Himalayas and the Lesser Himalayas.
World famous
● World famoushillhill towns
towns like Dharamshala, Mussoorie,
Mussoorie, Almora, Almora,
Lansdowne,
Lansdowne,
Ranikhet Ranikhet, Kullu-Manali,
(Uttarakhand) Lahaul-Spiti
& Dharamshala, are situated
Kullu-Manali,
Lahaul-Spiti (HP) are situated in this range.
in this range.
(meadows)
● Small grasslands are found on the slopes of the Lesser
(e.g. Gulmarg)
Himalayas which are known as 'marg' in Kashmir, 'bugyal' or
'payar' in Uttarakhand.
● A structure made of moraines called 'Karewa' is found in the
Lesser Himalayas. It is famous for the cultivation of saffron.
* Moraine- A mass of rocks and sediment carried down and
deposited by a glacier, typically as ridges at its edges or extremity.

Mountain Peaks in Hill Stations in • Imp peaks of HP:

Uttarakhand Uttarakhand
Reo Purgyil (Highest peak of HP),
Parvati Parvat, Kinnaur Kailash,
(2nd highest Nanda Devi(Highest in
Uttarakhand)
Nainital Manirang, Phawarang, Ramabang,
of India)
Trisul Mussoorie Shigrila, Shilla, Indrasan, Deo Tibba,
Hanuman Tibba etc.
Kedarnath Auli
Chaukhamba Rishikesh • Imp hill stations of HP:
Kamet Almora Chamba, Chitkul, Dalhousie,
Panchachuli Ranikhet Dharamshala, Kullu, Manali, Rohtang,
Shimla etc.
Dunagiri Kausani
(Source of Satopanth Dhanaulti
Alakananda
river) Nilkantha Binsar
(Imp peak near Mukteshwar
Badrinath temple)
 Binsar
Mukteshwar

The Outer Himalayas or the Siwaliks

● This is the outermost range of the Himalayas, hence it is also

called the 'Outer Himalayas'.
● Its width is 10 to 50 km and height is from 900 to 1200.m.
● This mountain range has been formed from sediments
brought by rivers originating from the main Himalayan
ranges in the north.
● To its South lies the vast northern plain of India.
● In some places of the Shivalik Himalayas, a flat structural
(between lesser Himalaya & outer Himalaya)
valley is found, which is called 'Dun' in the west and 'Duar' in
the east. (Pakistan)
(Uttarakhand)

● Kotli Dun, Dehradun and Patlidun are examples of this.

● In the foothills region of the Shivalik region, there is a flat plain
between the Indus River in the west and the Teesta River in
the east, which is called 'Bhabar.'

Important facts
(ITSZ) (/Sature)
● The Indo-Tsangpo Sachhar Zone is a tectonic zone located
(in the Ladakh region)
south of Tibet and the Greater Himalayas. It was formed as a
result of the collision between the Indian Plate and the
Eurasian Plate.
● The geological rift formed between the Greater Himalayas
and the Lesser Himalayas is called 'Main Central Thrust'.

• The geological crack formed between the Lesser Himalayas and the
Shivalik Himalayas is called 'Main Boundary Fault'.

• The geological fault formed between the Shivalik Himalayas and the
plains to its south is called 'Himalayan Frontal Fault'.
 ● The geological crack formed between the Lesser Himalayas
and the Shivalik Himalayas is called 'Main Boundary Fault'.
● The geological fault formed between the Shivalik Himalayas
and the plains to its south is called 'Himalayan Frontal Fault'.

Division of the Himalayas on the basis of rivers (Longitudinal division or west-east division)

Kashmir Himalaya Indus and Sutlej 560 kms

Kumaon Himalaya Sutlej and Kali 320 kms

Nepal Himalaya Kali and Teesta 800 kms

(Central Himalaya)

Assam Himalaya Teesta and Dihang 700 kms

(Eastern Himalaya)

Kashmir Himalaya / Punjab Himalaya

● It is also called ‘Punjab Himalaya’. The name 'Punjab' itself

derives from the Persian words "Panj" (meaning five) and
"Aab" (meaning water), which refer to the five major rivers of
this region: Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
● These rivers have their origins in the Himalayas, and their
valleys define the topography of the Punjab region.
● It extends for 560 kilometers between the Indus and Sutlej
rivers.
● Karakoram, Ladakh, Pir Panjal and Zaskar ranges come under
this Himalaya.
● The maximum width of the Himalayas is here.
Kumaon Himalaya / Garhwal Himalaya
• Its western part is known as 'Garhwal Himalayas' & the eastern part is known as 'Kumaon Himalayas'.
● It extends for a distance of 320 kilometers between Sutlej and
Kali rivers.
● Its maximum expansion is in the state of Uttarakhand.
● Peaks like Nanda Devi, Komet,
a Badrinath and Kedarnath & Nag Tibba
(Highest of Garhwal Himalaya) (Serpent's peak)
come under this Himalaya.
● Bhagirathi and Yamuna rivers originate from this Himalaya.

Nepal Himalaya / Central Himalaya

● It is situated between the Himalayas Kali and Teesta rivers.

● The extent of the Himalayas is about 800 km.
● Here the width of the Himalayan mountain is very less, but the
highest peak of the Himalayas like Mount Everest,
Kanchenjunga, Makalu is located here.
● Kanchenjunga, which is the highest peak of India within the
Himalayan mountain range, comes under the Darjeeling and
Sikkim Himalayas.

Assam Himalaya / Eastern Himalaya / Arunachal Himalaya

● The Assam Himalayas extend over a distance of about 700

kilometers between the Teesta and Dihang rivers.
● In the Himalayas, the height of the Himalayas once again
decreases.
• The highest peak of this range is Namcha Barwa.
Eastern hills

• It is a part of the Himalayan Mountain range which is also called Purvanchal Hills.

• South of Arunachal Pradesh, the Himalayan ranges turn towards the south and are
Eastern
known byhills
different names here.
It is a partincludes
● Purvanchal
• The of the Himalayan
the hills of themountain range
Patkai, Barail which
Range, NagaisHills,
alsoMizo Hills,
calledHills.
and Jampui Purvanchal Hills.
South of
• In●Arunachal Arunachal
Pradesh Pradesh,
these are known the Himalayan
as Patkai ranges
Boom, Naga Hillsturn
in Nagaland and
in its south as Mizo or Lushai Hills in Mizoram.
towards the south and are known by different names here.
● InDapha
• Mount Arunachal
or DaphaPradesh
Bum ofthese
Mishmiare
hillsknown as Patkai
(in Arunachal Boom,
Pradesh) Naga
is the highest
peak in this region. It is located in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve.
Hills in Nagaland and in its south as Mizo or Lushai Hills.

Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills:

● All these three hills are situated in the plateau of Meghalaya

in Northeast India.
● The Meghalaya Plateau is part of the Peninsular Plateau,
separated by the Malda Fault. or Garo-Rajmahal Gap.
● The Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills are named after the tribes
that resided here.
● The Karbi Anglong hills of Assam are also an extension of this.
● Due to the funnel shape of these hills, the annual rainfall in
Meghalaya is more than 200 cm.
● Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, the places with the highest
rainfall in the world, are located on the southern slopes of the
Khasi Hills.
Patkai Bum Hills

● These hills extend along the border of Arunachal Pradesh

(India) and Myanmar and were formed by tectonic activities
in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic
era duringera
theduring
originthe
of the Himalayas.
origin of the Himalayas.
● Like the Himalayas, steep slopes, sharp peaks and deep
valleys are also found here.
• Extension of Patkai Bum in Myanmar is known as Arakan Yoma.
Dafla Hills

● The Dafla Hills are a hill range in northeastern India

located on the western side of the border between the
states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
● A tribe named Dafla resides in it.
● A tribe named 'Akas' resides in the western direction of
these hills.

Abor Hills

● These hills are located in Arunachal Pradesh, near the border

of China and India, in the far north-east of India.
● Mishmi and Miri hills are situated on the border of these hills.
● Dibang, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through this
region.
● These hills are found along the southern extension of the
Himalayas and their eastern and northern parts touch the
border of China.
● It is the highest range of Purvanchal hills. Many of its peaks
are more than 5000 meters high.
• The residence of the Mishmi tribe also lives here.
 ● The residence of the Mishmi tribe is also here.

Mikir Hills
● These hills are located to the south of the Kaziranga National
Park in Assam and are a part of the Karbi-Anglong Plateau.
● It is the north-eastern part of the Meghalaya plateau.
● Dhansiri and Jamuna rivers flow in this area.

Naga Hills

● These hills form the border of India and Myanmar and their
extension is found in the Nagaland state of India.
● The Naga Hills are the northern extension of the Arakan Yoma.

Manipur Hills

● The extension of these hills is mainly found in the state of

Manipur and it is surrounded by the states of Assam in the
west, Mizoram in the south, Myanmar in the east and
Nagaland in the north.
● Loktak Lake is situated on this hill. Floating gardens (Phumdi) are
found in this region. Kibul Lamjao NP (India's only floating NP- UNESCO
world Heritage site) is also present here.
Mizo Hills

● Located in the south-eastern Mizoram state, these hills were

formerly known as 'Lushai hills'., named after local 'Lushai' tribe.
● These hills form the northern part of the Arakan Yoma system.
• Phawngpui, also known as Blue Mountain, is the highest mountain peak in
the Mizo Hills (Lushai Hills) and in the state of Mizoram.

• Jampui Hills is a part of the Mizo hills (Lushai Hills) range located in the North Tripura district in the
north-eastern part of the Indian state of Tripura. Betlingchhip, also known as Betalongchhip, Betling Shib &
Thaidawr is the highest peak of the Jampui Hills as well as of the state of Tripura.

• Highest peak of Arunachal Pradesh- Mount Kangto, also known as Kanggardo Rize (It is a part of the Eastern
Himalayan range which lies on the border of India and China)
• Highest peak of Assam- Thumjang peak, Borail range, Dima Hasao district

• Highest peak of Meghalaya- Shillong Peak (Khasi Hills)

• Highest peak of Manipur- Mount Iso or Mount Tenipu (Borail range)

• Highest peak of Nagaland- Mount Saramati (also known as the 'Crown of Nagaland')

Important Pass in Himalayan Range

State Important Passes

Ladakh Mintaka,
Mintaka,Parpik,
Parpik,Khunjerab, Aghil,
Khunjerab, Khardungla,
Aghil, Zojila,
Khardungla, Zojila,
Pensi La, Lanak La, Chang La, Umling La, Imish La,
PensiTag
Qara La, La,
Lanak La, Chang
Lachalung La La, Umling La, Imish La
Jammu and Kashmir Burjil, Pir Panjal, Banihal

Himachal Pradesh Baralacha, Debsa, Rohtang, Shipki La

Uttarakhand Muling, Mangsha Dhura, Mana, Niti, Lipulekh,

Kungri-Bingri , Traills Pass

Sikkim Naku La, Nathula, Jalepla

Arunachal Pradesh Bomdila, Yangyap,

Bomdila, Yangyap, Dihang,
Dihang, Diper,
Diper, Lekhapani
Lekhapani, Diphu, Pangsau

Pass

● Wide
Wide narrow and
or narrow natural
and routes
natural routesacross
acrossthe
themountains,
mountains,
through which the mountains can be crossed, are called
passes.
● These passes have played an important role in trade, war
campaigns, transportation and human migration.

Banihal Pass
Passes in JAMMU & KASHMIR
● This pass is located in the Pir Panjal mountain range in
Banihal Pass
Jammu and Kashmir and connects Srinagar to Jammu via
NH-44.
• This pass is located in the Pir Panjal mountain range in J&K and connects Srinagar to Jammu
via NH-44.
● Jawahar tunnel (length 2.85 km) has been constructed in this
• Jawahar tunnel has been constructed in this pass.
pass.
• The Jawahar Tunnel provides year-round road connectivity between Srinagar and Jammu.

Pir Panjal Pass

• Also called 'Pir ki Gali'

 Passes in LADAKH

Zojila Pass
• It is known as the 'Mountain Pass of Snow Storms'.
● The Jawahar Tunnel provides year-round road connectivity
• It is situated in the Zanskar range in Ladakh which connects Leh (Ladakh) to Srinagar (J&K).
between Srinagar and Jammu.
• Zojila Pass is also known as the 'gateway to Ladakh'.
Zojila Pass
Pensi La
● It is known as the 'Mountain Pass of Snow Storms'.
• Known as the 'Gateway to Zanskar'
● It is situated in the Zanskar range in Ladakh which connects

KhardungLeh
La to Srinagar.
● Zojila Pass is also known as the gateway to Ladakh.
• Ladakh Range - gateway to Shyok and Nubra valleys

Rohtang
Umling La Pass

● Itmotorable
• World's highest is located in the
pass Pir Panjal range of the Great
in Ladakh lesser Himalayas
Himalayas in
of
Himachal Pradesh and connects the Kullu Valley to Lahaul
Mintaka Pass
and Spiti.
• Means 'thousand goats'
Shipki
• Karakoram LaNear
range- Passtrijunction of India-China and Afghanistan border

Lanak ●LaThe route from Shimla to Tibet passes through here and Sutlej
river enters
Located in the disputed India area
Aksai-Chin through this pass.

Mana pass
Passes
● in
It isHIMACHAL PRADESH
also called Dongrila Pass.
● It
Rohtang connects India and Tibet.
Pass
● It is located near the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve of
• Pir Panjal Range- Connects the Kullu Valley to Lahaul and Spiti.
Uttarakhand.
• The pass is a gateway to the Spiti Valley & Lahaul Valley.
● Devtal lake is located in this pass.
● Saraswati (tributary of Alaknanda) originates from here.
Shipki ●LaThe
Pass
road leading to Kailash Mansarovar passes through this.

• Gateway to Tibet

• The route from Shimla to Tibet passes through here and Sutlej river enters India through this pass.

Bara Lacha La
• Zanskar Range- Connects Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh, situated along the Leh-Mandi Highway
 Passes in UTTARAKHAND

Mana pass

• It is also called Dongrila Pass.

• It connects India and Tibet.

• It is located near the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve of Uttarakhand.

• Devtal lake is located in this pass.

• Saraswati river (tributary of Alaknanda river) originates from here.

• First village of India, 'Mana village' is located here.

Lipulekh Pass

• It is located in the state of Uttarakhand in India and is located near the tri-junction of India, Nepal and
China (Tibet).

• It is used by pilgrims to Kailash-Mansarovar yatra.

Passes in SIKKIM
Nathula Pass

• It is located on the India-Tibet border and is one of the open trade passes between India and China.

• It provides a route between Darjeeling and Chumbi Valley (Sikkim) and Tibet.

• This pass is also used for Kailash-Mansarovar yatra.

Zalepla Pass

• Provides passage between Sikkim and Bhutan and is formed by the Teesta River.

• Also an open trade pass in Sikkim

 Passes in ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Diphu Pass

• Lies on the trijunction of India, China and Myanmar.

Konkan
• Lies on Macmohan Line. coast and the surrounding areas of the Deccan
plateau.
Bom Di La
Palghat
• Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa (Tibet)
● It connects the Nilgiri Hills to the north and the Annamalai Hills
to the south.
● It isPass
Pangsau also called Palakkad Gap.
● It is a mountain range located on the Western Ghats of
• Arunachal Pradesh- between India & Myanmar
South-West India.

Important Valleys of India

Galvan Valley

● This valley is formed by the Galwan River flowing in Ladakh.

● This valley is located near the Line of Actual Control.
● This valley is situated between Ladakh in the west and Aksai
Chin in the east.
Parvati Valley

● Parvati Valley is located in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.

● It provides a route for Hi1ndu and Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy
city of Manikaran.
● Manikaran is also known for its geothermal power plant.

Kullu Valley

● It is situated between the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges in

Himachal Pradesh.
● It is also known as 'Valley of the Gods'.
● Dussehra is celebrated for seven days in this valley.

Sangla Valley

● It is located in Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.

● This valley is surrounded by mountain peaks and Baspa river,
hence it is also called 'Baspa Valley'.

Nelang Valley

● This valley is located in Gangotri National Park (Uttarakashi

district) of Uttarakhand.
● This valley was closed after the Indo-China war of 1962, which
has been reopened for tourists in May 2015.
Nyora Valley

● It is located in Kalimpong district near Darjeeling, West

Bengal.
● It was given the status of a national park in 1986.

Chumbi Valley

• This valley is situated at the meeting point of Sikkim (India),

Bhutan and China.

• 'Doklam', a disputed land between China and Bhutan, comes

under this area.

Yuthang Valley

• Yuthang Valley is located in Sikkim.

• The Rhododendron (the state flower of Sikkim) flora is found in

this valley.

• Also famous for its hot springs

Juku Valley
Chumbi Valley
• It is situated on the border of Nagaland and Manipur.
● This valley is situated at the meeting point of Sikkim (India),
• On 5th June,
Bhutan 2019, on the occasion of World Environment Day,
and China.
Nagaland DZukou Valley was declared a plastic-free zone.
● 'Doklam', which was in headlines some time back, comes
under this area.
Other Important valley

Ladakh Markha Valley - Provides passage to Hemis National

Park.
Nubra Valley – Valley formed by the Nubra River
originating from the Siachen Glacier

Himachal Malna Valley – Known as Little Greece

Pradesh Spiti Valley - The famous Buddhist monastery 'Tabo' is
situated in this valley.
Kinnaur Valley - It is situated in the north-eastern part
of Himachal Pradesh near the border of Tibet.

Uttarakhand Valley of Flowers – Included in UNESCO's Biosphere

Network in 2004.
Johar Valley – Famous as Milam Valley in Uttarakhand.

Nagaland Juku Valley – It is situated on the border of Nagaland

and Manipur.
Glaciers of Himalayas
The Karakoram Range’s glaciers:

a) Siachen glacier (75 km long)- longest glacier of India as well as 2nd longest in the world
(longest glacier in the world- Fedchenko glacier in the Pamirs- Tajikistan)
b) Hispar glacier- third longest in the world- Pakistan
c) Biafo Glacier- Pakistan
d) Baltoro Glacier- Pakistan

Glaciers of the Pir Panjal Range:

a) Sonapani Glacier in the Lahul and Spiti

b) Chhota Shigri glacier

Kumaon-Garhwal Region Glaciers:

The Gangotri Glacier, which is the source of the holy Ganga, is the largest in the Kumaon-
Garhwal area of the Himalayas.

Glaciers of Central Nepal:

The major glaciers in Central Nepal are the Zemu and Kanchenjunga glaciers.

Major Glaciers in India

Ladakh:

a) Siachen Glacier, b) Shafat Glacier, c) Machoi Glacier, d) Drang-Drung Glacier

Uttarakhand:

a) Gangotri Glacier (longest of Uttarakhand as well as 2nd longest of India), b) Milam Glacier,
c) Pindari Glacier

Himachal Pradesh:

a) Bara Shigri Glacier in Lahaul and Spiti valleys (3rd longest glacier of India),
b) Chhota Shigri Glacier (This glacier is located east of the Rohtang Pass)
c) Sonapani Glacier

Sikkim:

a) Zemu Glacier, b) Kanchenjunga Glacier