Test: Himalayas: Northern Mountains - UPSC MCQ

Saramati (3,826 m) in Naga Hills and Blue Mountain (2,157 m) in the Mizo Hills are the highest peaks in their respective hills.

• Statement-I is correct because the Eastern Himalayas indeed have greater biodiversity than the Western Himalayas.
• Statement-II is also correct, as the Eastern Himalayas have relatively lower altitudes in some areas, leading to a warmer and more favorable climate for various species.

However, Statement-II does not fully explain the difference in biodiversity between the Eastern and Western Himalayas, since biodiversity is influenced by multiple factors, including rainfall and humidity, not just altitude and climate.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer here.

1. Mount Kailash - Trans Himalayas: Correct. Mount Kailash is part of the Trans Himalayas.

2. Saramati Peak - Patkai Bum: Incorrect. Saramati Peak is in the Naga Hills, not the Patkai Bum.

3. Mount Everest - Lesser Himalayas: Incorrect. Mount Everest is part of the Greater Himalayas.

4. Nanga Parbat - Zanskar Range: Correct. Nanga Parbat is indeed in the Zanskar Range.

Thus, pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

The Kumaun Himalayas

• These lie between the Satluj and Kali river

• It is drained by the Indus and the Ganga river systems. It is distinguished by the ‘DUN’ formations like the Chandigarh-Kalka dun and Dehradun. They are inhabited by the Bhutias who migrate to the ‘Bugyals’ which are the summer grasslands. The ‘valley of flowers’ is located here.

• Important Glaciers are Pindari, Gangotri, and Milam.

1. Rohtang Pass - Himachal Pradesh: Correctly matched. Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, located around 51 km from Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

2. Nathu La - Arunachal Pradesh: Incorrectly matched. Nathu La is a mountain pass in the Himalayas that connects the Indian state of Sikkim with China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

3. Khardung La - Ladakh: Correctly matched. Khardung La is a high mountain pass located in the Ladakh region of India.

4. Bomdi La - Sikkim: Incorrectly matched. Bomdi La (more accurately spelled Bomdila) is a pass in Arunachal Pradesh, not Sikkim.

Pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched. Pairs 2 and 4 are incorrectly matched.

Answer: Option B: Only two pairs

All statements are correct

Comparison between Western Himalayas and Eastern Himalayas :

• Extension: Western Himalayas extend till west of River Kali whereas Eastern Himalayas extend from Kali to Brahmaputra river.

• Height: Western Himalayas rise in parts whereas Eastern Himalayas rises abruptly from the plains.

• Vegetation: Western Himalayas are Coniferous forests and alpine vegetations.

• Biodiversity: Western Himalayas have less biodiversity in comparison to the eastern Himalayas.

• Precipitation: Western Himalayas receive from the northwest monsoon in the winters; Eastern Himalayas receive south-eastern monsoon in the summers.

• Snowline: Lower in Eastern Himalayas; Higher in Western Himalayas.

• Altitude: It is higher in Western Himalayas than the Eastern Himalayas.

- Statement 1: Correct. The Kumaun Himalayas, located between the Satluj and Kali rivers, are indeed drained by the Indus and the Ganga river systems.

- Statement 2: Incorrect. The Karewa soil, known for saffron and dry fruit cultivation, is found in the Kashmir/Punjab/Himachal Himalayas, not the Assam Himalayas.

- Statement 3: Correct. The Central/Nepal Himalayas, spanning from the Kali river to the Teesta river, are renowned for their tea plantations, which benefit from consistent rainfall and mild winters.

Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making the correct answer Option B: 1 and 3 Only.

Kashmir /Punjab/ Himachal Himalayas 

• These Lie in J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and in some parts of Punjab. Lies between the Indus and Satluj river

• Characterized by high snow-covered peaks, deep valleys, interlocked spurs and High Mountain passes. Karewa soil which is famous for the saffron and other dry fruit cultivation is found here.

• Important ranges are Karakoram, Ladakh, Pir Panjal, Zanskar and Dhauladhar.

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.
Important Points

• The Himalayas, geologically young and structurally fold mountains stretch over the northern borders of India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• These mountain ranges run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.
• Their width varies from 400 Km in Kashmir to 150 Km in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The altitudinal variations are greater in the eastern half than those in the western half. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Statement-I correctly explains that the Himalayas are one of the newest fold mountains that emerged during the Tertiary epoch due to Alpine earth movement. Statement-II accurately states that the formation of the Himalayas resulted from the collision between the Eurasian plate (Angaraland) and the Indo-Australian plate (Gondwanaland). The collision led to the uplifting and formation of the Himalayan mountain range, making both statements correct and interconnected.

Statement  1 is correct
The Himalayas represent the loftiest and one of the most rugged mountain barriers of the world. They form an arc, which covers a distance of about 2,400 Km spread uninterruptedly from Jammu & Kashmir in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east. Their width varies from 400 Km in Kashmir to 150 Km in Arunachal Pradesh.

Statement  2 is correct 
They are one of the newest fold mountains of the world and they have come up during the Tertiary epoch under Alpine earth movement.

Statement  3 is correct
The altitudinal variations are greater in the eastern half than those in the western half, which is why high mountain peaks like Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga are present in the Eastern Himalayas.

Central/ Nepal Himalayas/Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas 

• These Lie in Nepal also stretches from the Kali River to the Kosi river (Nepal Himalayas) and between Kosi river to Teesta river (Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas).

• These are known for their fast-flowing rivers like ‘TEESTA’ and their Tea plantations due to good rainfall all year and mild winters. They are also known for ‘DUAR’ formations. 

• Important peaks are Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, and Gosainath.

1. Pir Panjal Range - Karakoram Range: Incorrect. The Pir Panjal Range is a part of the Lesser Himalayas, not the Karakoram Range.

2. Dhauladhar Range - Himachal Pradesh: Correct. The Dhauladhar Range is located in Himachal Pradesh.

3. Nathu La Pass - Kumaun Himalayas: Incorrect. Nathu La Pass is located in the Sikkim Himalayas, not the Kumaun Himalayas.

4. Blue Mountains - Eastern Himalayas: Correct. The Blue Mountains are part of the Eastern Himalayas, specifically in Mizoram.

Thus, only two pairs (2 and 4) are correctly matched.

• Statement-I correctly describes the Lesser Himalayas in terms of their average height and composition.
• Statement-II accurately describes the Sub Himalayas or Shiwaliks in terms of their average height and composition.
• Both statements are factually correct and are not contradictory.
• The Lesser Himalayas and the Sub Himalayas are distinct regions within the Himalayan range, each with its own characteristics as outlined in the statements.

Comparison between Northern and Southern slopes of Himalayas

• Precipitation: Southern Slopes receive more as compared to Northern Slopes as it lies in the rain shadow region.

• Vegetation: Southern Slopes are covered with thick vegetation whereas Northern Slopes are generally barren. The volume of precipitation decreases from the south towards the north

• Snowline: Due to a longer period of sunshine, less snow accumulates on the southern slopes than on the northern slopes.