Pithoragarh | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Pithoragarh
Located at a height of 1636m, on Indo-Tibet route Pithoragarh is the
headquarters of the district. City with a population of 483439, and a military
cantonment, also has remains of an ancient fort.Once the bastion of the
Chand rulers, Pithoragarh town is littered with temples and forts belonging to
that era. The town is set in a valley popularly known as and lies in the centre
of four hills Chandak, Dhwaj, Kumdar and Thal Kedar, and stretches in the
southern flank to Jhulaghat demarcated by the Kali river adjoining the barren
peaks of Nepal Hills. It is snuggled in the folds of four kots Bhatkot,
Dungerkot, Udaikot and Unchakot.
History- Pithoragarh District having its entire northern and eastern
boundaries being international, assumes a great strategic significance and,
obviously, is a politically sensitive district along the northern frontier of
India. Being the last district adjoining Tibet, it has tremendous strategic
importance as the passes of Lipulekh, Kungribingri, Lampia Dhura, Lawe
Dhura, Belcha and Keo, open out to Tibbet. The breath taking beauty of
Pithoragarh – Himalayas, wide expenses of grassy meadow, perennial
streams roaring down the zig-zag course, a stupendous variety of flora and
fauna, above all, pure nature yet unsullied, seem to beckon the beholder into
their folds, into a charmed world of virgin beauty.
It was in the wake of the Chinese aggression that on the 24
th
 Feb. 1960, a
sizeable section of Almora district was carved into Pithoragarh district
containing extreme border areas with its head quarters in Pithoragarh town.
On 15
th
 September 1997, the Champawat Tehsil, hitherto under Pithoragarh,
was carved into Champawat district.
Geography- The district lies between 29.4° to 30.3° North latitude and 80°
to 81° East longitude along the eastern and southern part of the central
Himalayas with Indo-Tibbetan watershed divide in the north and the Kali
river, forming a continuous border with Nepal in the east. The Pithoragarh
district is surrounded by the national boundaries of Almora, Champawat,
Bageshwar and Chamoli districts and extends over an area of 7,217.7 sq.Km.
There are numerous gay spots to which the prospective tourist may plan
excursions like Chandak, Thal Kedar, Gangolihat (77 kms) famous for its kali
Page 2


Pithoragarh
Located at a height of 1636m, on Indo-Tibet route Pithoragarh is the
headquarters of the district. City with a population of 483439, and a military
cantonment, also has remains of an ancient fort.Once the bastion of the
Chand rulers, Pithoragarh town is littered with temples and forts belonging to
that era. The town is set in a valley popularly known as and lies in the centre
of four hills Chandak, Dhwaj, Kumdar and Thal Kedar, and stretches in the
southern flank to Jhulaghat demarcated by the Kali river adjoining the barren
peaks of Nepal Hills. It is snuggled in the folds of four kots Bhatkot,
Dungerkot, Udaikot and Unchakot.
History- Pithoragarh District having its entire northern and eastern
boundaries being international, assumes a great strategic significance and,
obviously, is a politically sensitive district along the northern frontier of
India. Being the last district adjoining Tibet, it has tremendous strategic
importance as the passes of Lipulekh, Kungribingri, Lampia Dhura, Lawe
Dhura, Belcha and Keo, open out to Tibbet. The breath taking beauty of
Pithoragarh – Himalayas, wide expenses of grassy meadow, perennial
streams roaring down the zig-zag course, a stupendous variety of flora and
fauna, above all, pure nature yet unsullied, seem to beckon the beholder into
their folds, into a charmed world of virgin beauty.
It was in the wake of the Chinese aggression that on the 24
th
 Feb. 1960, a
sizeable section of Almora district was carved into Pithoragarh district
containing extreme border areas with its head quarters in Pithoragarh town.
On 15
th
 September 1997, the Champawat Tehsil, hitherto under Pithoragarh,
was carved into Champawat district.
Geography- The district lies between 29.4° to 30.3° North latitude and 80°
to 81° East longitude along the eastern and southern part of the central
Himalayas with Indo-Tibbetan watershed divide in the north and the Kali
river, forming a continuous border with Nepal in the east. The Pithoragarh
district is surrounded by the national boundaries of Almora, Champawat,
Bageshwar and Chamoli districts and extends over an area of 7,217.7 sq.Km.
There are numerous gay spots to which the prospective tourist may plan
excursions like Chandak, Thal Kedar, Gangolihat (77 kms) famous for its kali
temple, Patal Bhuvneshwar (99 kms), Berinag (Tea Garden of Chaukori – 11
km away from Berinag), Didihat,Munsyari (base camp for traks to
Milam,Ralam and Namik Glacier), Dharchula(base camp for Kailas
Mansarover Yatra, Adi Kailash Yatra, Narayan Swami Ashram) and Jauljibi.
Flora fauna- Although one does not find an abundance of flora and fauna
in Pithoragarh but these are remarkable for their sheer variety. The biological
diversity is very important in many aspects. Since the district possesses a
great range of elevation there is a remarkable diversity in its natural
vegetation.In addition climatic variations,particularly in temperature and
precipitation associated with the alignment and altitudes of ranges and nature
of valleys, determine the altitudinal growth and variety of vegetation. The
northern hilly zone is covered with dense forests, particularly on northern
slopes, with the diverse flora upto an elevation of about 14,000 ft.
The flora of this district may be classified into tropical, Himalayan sub-
tropical and sub alpine and alpine vegetation.
The alpine and sub-alpine zones which include Milam, Ralam, Garbyang,
Martoli etc, are very rich in the medicinal herbs and are considered as the
most natural abode of the largest number of medicinal plants.The sub-alpine
zones are a natural sanctuary for Leopard, Chital, fleet little Monkeys,
Langoor, Bear, Kakar or barking deer, Ghoral etc. Whereas the high altitude
zones abound in Musk deer, popularly called Kastura, Snow Leopard, Blue
Sheep, Thar etc.The entire zone is rich in a remarkable variety of birds
possessing plumage of magnificent design and colours like Peacock, which
include Grey Quail, Kala Titar, Whistling Thrush, Chakor, Monal Pheasant,
Cheer Pheasant, Koklas Pheasant etc.
Bugyal: Passing along the route of Chhota Kailash, the world is surrounded
by the lush stretches of velvetty grass bugyals (alpine meadows) such as
Chhiplakot and Vyas Valley.
Rivers- The district abounds in rivers some of which originate within the
fold of the district and, assuming a peripheral course along the borderline,
enter the Garhwal region and eventually merges into the Ganga and have thus
been geographically grouped under the rivers of the Ganga system. These
are:
Girthi: This river has a short course in the extreme NW of Pithoragarh and,
moving along Kungribingri range in a west and south west course, finally
enters in the Garhwal region.
Page 3


Pithoragarh
Located at a height of 1636m, on Indo-Tibet route Pithoragarh is the
headquarters of the district. City with a population of 483439, and a military
cantonment, also has remains of an ancient fort.Once the bastion of the
Chand rulers, Pithoragarh town is littered with temples and forts belonging to
that era. The town is set in a valley popularly known as and lies in the centre
of four hills Chandak, Dhwaj, Kumdar and Thal Kedar, and stretches in the
southern flank to Jhulaghat demarcated by the Kali river adjoining the barren
peaks of Nepal Hills. It is snuggled in the folds of four kots Bhatkot,
Dungerkot, Udaikot and Unchakot.
History- Pithoragarh District having its entire northern and eastern
boundaries being international, assumes a great strategic significance and,
obviously, is a politically sensitive district along the northern frontier of
India. Being the last district adjoining Tibet, it has tremendous strategic
importance as the passes of Lipulekh, Kungribingri, Lampia Dhura, Lawe
Dhura, Belcha and Keo, open out to Tibbet. The breath taking beauty of
Pithoragarh – Himalayas, wide expenses of grassy meadow, perennial
streams roaring down the zig-zag course, a stupendous variety of flora and
fauna, above all, pure nature yet unsullied, seem to beckon the beholder into
their folds, into a charmed world of virgin beauty.
It was in the wake of the Chinese aggression that on the 24
th
 Feb. 1960, a
sizeable section of Almora district was carved into Pithoragarh district
containing extreme border areas with its head quarters in Pithoragarh town.
On 15
th
 September 1997, the Champawat Tehsil, hitherto under Pithoragarh,
was carved into Champawat district.
Geography- The district lies between 29.4° to 30.3° North latitude and 80°
to 81° East longitude along the eastern and southern part of the central
Himalayas with Indo-Tibbetan watershed divide in the north and the Kali
river, forming a continuous border with Nepal in the east. The Pithoragarh
district is surrounded by the national boundaries of Almora, Champawat,
Bageshwar and Chamoli districts and extends over an area of 7,217.7 sq.Km.
There are numerous gay spots to which the prospective tourist may plan
excursions like Chandak, Thal Kedar, Gangolihat (77 kms) famous for its kali
temple, Patal Bhuvneshwar (99 kms), Berinag (Tea Garden of Chaukori – 11
km away from Berinag), Didihat,Munsyari (base camp for traks to
Milam,Ralam and Namik Glacier), Dharchula(base camp for Kailas
Mansarover Yatra, Adi Kailash Yatra, Narayan Swami Ashram) and Jauljibi.
Flora fauna- Although one does not find an abundance of flora and fauna
in Pithoragarh but these are remarkable for their sheer variety. The biological
diversity is very important in many aspects. Since the district possesses a
great range of elevation there is a remarkable diversity in its natural
vegetation.In addition climatic variations,particularly in temperature and
precipitation associated with the alignment and altitudes of ranges and nature
of valleys, determine the altitudinal growth and variety of vegetation. The
northern hilly zone is covered with dense forests, particularly on northern
slopes, with the diverse flora upto an elevation of about 14,000 ft.
The flora of this district may be classified into tropical, Himalayan sub-
tropical and sub alpine and alpine vegetation.
The alpine and sub-alpine zones which include Milam, Ralam, Garbyang,
Martoli etc, are very rich in the medicinal herbs and are considered as the
most natural abode of the largest number of medicinal plants.The sub-alpine
zones are a natural sanctuary for Leopard, Chital, fleet little Monkeys,
Langoor, Bear, Kakar or barking deer, Ghoral etc. Whereas the high altitude
zones abound in Musk deer, popularly called Kastura, Snow Leopard, Blue
Sheep, Thar etc.The entire zone is rich in a remarkable variety of birds
possessing plumage of magnificent design and colours like Peacock, which
include Grey Quail, Kala Titar, Whistling Thrush, Chakor, Monal Pheasant,
Cheer Pheasant, Koklas Pheasant etc.
Bugyal: Passing along the route of Chhota Kailash, the world is surrounded
by the lush stretches of velvetty grass bugyals (alpine meadows) such as
Chhiplakot and Vyas Valley.
Rivers- The district abounds in rivers some of which originate within the
fold of the district and, assuming a peripheral course along the borderline,
enter the Garhwal region and eventually merges into the Ganga and have thus
been geographically grouped under the rivers of the Ganga system. These
are:
Girthi: This river has a short course in the extreme NW of Pithoragarh and,
moving along Kungribingri range in a west and south west course, finally
enters in the Garhwal region.
Keogad: To the north of Girthi and alike having a short course in
Pithoragarh the Keogad river moving along the inner enclosures of the
district enters the Garhwal region.
The second is Kali River System.
Kali: The river Kali originating from trans Himalayan zone forms the
continuous border with Nepal all through its course from Kalapani to
Tanakpur where terminating its serpentine hilly course it finally enters plains
and is then called Sharda. Along its vast catchment in the entire northern and
eastern parts of Pithoragarh, the Kali is almost a human presence, masterful
yet benign.The Kali river possesses an immense potential for irrigation and
hydro electric generation and a project for the construction of a massive dam
at Pancheswar, is underway.
Gori: Originating from a dual source in a glacier near south of Untadhura
ridge feeding the eastern branch, and another glacier near Milam feeding the
western branch, the Gori river joins the Kali at Jauljibi.
Dhauli: Dhauli is, infact, a combination of two head waters namely
Dharamganga and Lassar with the glacier close to Darma pass as their source
and, taking a south eastern course, finally joins Kali at Tawaghat.
Kutiyangti: This river originates from a small glacier along the southern
base of Lumpiyadhura Pass and is a tributary of Kali.
Sarju: Originating from the extreme south of adjacent Almora district, the
river Sarju makes the south west boundary between Pithoragarh and Almora
and, finally, at a point at Pancheswar, it joins Kali along with Panar river.
Ramganga: Forming the boundary between Almora and Pithoragarh
districts the Ramganga originates from the Namik glacier. The river is fed by
numerous small and big rivers and finally joins Sarju at Rameshwar.There
are scriptual evidences which bearout that the great sage Vasistha also
performed penance here and that the river Sarju originating from the feet of
Lord Vishnu has journeyed to the ashram of Vasistha.The river is held in
great reverence and is it is believed that it is gifted with the power of
condoning their sins and hence is a preferred spot for cremation.
Traditional Drinking water Sources and natural lakes
The human settlements in different remote regions of Pithoragarh were
principally based upon the factor of the easy availability of pure drinking
water and it is a notable feature of all upland habitations that the under
Page 4


Pithoragarh
Located at a height of 1636m, on Indo-Tibet route Pithoragarh is the
headquarters of the district. City with a population of 483439, and a military
cantonment, also has remains of an ancient fort.Once the bastion of the
Chand rulers, Pithoragarh town is littered with temples and forts belonging to
that era. The town is set in a valley popularly known as and lies in the centre
of four hills Chandak, Dhwaj, Kumdar and Thal Kedar, and stretches in the
southern flank to Jhulaghat demarcated by the Kali river adjoining the barren
peaks of Nepal Hills. It is snuggled in the folds of four kots Bhatkot,
Dungerkot, Udaikot and Unchakot.
History- Pithoragarh District having its entire northern and eastern
boundaries being international, assumes a great strategic significance and,
obviously, is a politically sensitive district along the northern frontier of
India. Being the last district adjoining Tibet, it has tremendous strategic
importance as the passes of Lipulekh, Kungribingri, Lampia Dhura, Lawe
Dhura, Belcha and Keo, open out to Tibbet. The breath taking beauty of
Pithoragarh – Himalayas, wide expenses of grassy meadow, perennial
streams roaring down the zig-zag course, a stupendous variety of flora and
fauna, above all, pure nature yet unsullied, seem to beckon the beholder into
their folds, into a charmed world of virgin beauty.
It was in the wake of the Chinese aggression that on the 24
th
 Feb. 1960, a
sizeable section of Almora district was carved into Pithoragarh district
containing extreme border areas with its head quarters in Pithoragarh town.
On 15
th
 September 1997, the Champawat Tehsil, hitherto under Pithoragarh,
was carved into Champawat district.
Geography- The district lies between 29.4° to 30.3° North latitude and 80°
to 81° East longitude along the eastern and southern part of the central
Himalayas with Indo-Tibbetan watershed divide in the north and the Kali
river, forming a continuous border with Nepal in the east. The Pithoragarh
district is surrounded by the national boundaries of Almora, Champawat,
Bageshwar and Chamoli districts and extends over an area of 7,217.7 sq.Km.
There are numerous gay spots to which the prospective tourist may plan
excursions like Chandak, Thal Kedar, Gangolihat (77 kms) famous for its kali
temple, Patal Bhuvneshwar (99 kms), Berinag (Tea Garden of Chaukori – 11
km away from Berinag), Didihat,Munsyari (base camp for traks to
Milam,Ralam and Namik Glacier), Dharchula(base camp for Kailas
Mansarover Yatra, Adi Kailash Yatra, Narayan Swami Ashram) and Jauljibi.
Flora fauna- Although one does not find an abundance of flora and fauna
in Pithoragarh but these are remarkable for their sheer variety. The biological
diversity is very important in many aspects. Since the district possesses a
great range of elevation there is a remarkable diversity in its natural
vegetation.In addition climatic variations,particularly in temperature and
precipitation associated with the alignment and altitudes of ranges and nature
of valleys, determine the altitudinal growth and variety of vegetation. The
northern hilly zone is covered with dense forests, particularly on northern
slopes, with the diverse flora upto an elevation of about 14,000 ft.
The flora of this district may be classified into tropical, Himalayan sub-
tropical and sub alpine and alpine vegetation.
The alpine and sub-alpine zones which include Milam, Ralam, Garbyang,
Martoli etc, are very rich in the medicinal herbs and are considered as the
most natural abode of the largest number of medicinal plants.The sub-alpine
zones are a natural sanctuary for Leopard, Chital, fleet little Monkeys,
Langoor, Bear, Kakar or barking deer, Ghoral etc. Whereas the high altitude
zones abound in Musk deer, popularly called Kastura, Snow Leopard, Blue
Sheep, Thar etc.The entire zone is rich in a remarkable variety of birds
possessing plumage of magnificent design and colours like Peacock, which
include Grey Quail, Kala Titar, Whistling Thrush, Chakor, Monal Pheasant,
Cheer Pheasant, Koklas Pheasant etc.
Bugyal: Passing along the route of Chhota Kailash, the world is surrounded
by the lush stretches of velvetty grass bugyals (alpine meadows) such as
Chhiplakot and Vyas Valley.
Rivers- The district abounds in rivers some of which originate within the
fold of the district and, assuming a peripheral course along the borderline,
enter the Garhwal region and eventually merges into the Ganga and have thus
been geographically grouped under the rivers of the Ganga system. These
are:
Girthi: This river has a short course in the extreme NW of Pithoragarh and,
moving along Kungribingri range in a west and south west course, finally
enters in the Garhwal region.
Keogad: To the north of Girthi and alike having a short course in
Pithoragarh the Keogad river moving along the inner enclosures of the
district enters the Garhwal region.
The second is Kali River System.
Kali: The river Kali originating from trans Himalayan zone forms the
continuous border with Nepal all through its course from Kalapani to
Tanakpur where terminating its serpentine hilly course it finally enters plains
and is then called Sharda. Along its vast catchment in the entire northern and
eastern parts of Pithoragarh, the Kali is almost a human presence, masterful
yet benign.The Kali river possesses an immense potential for irrigation and
hydro electric generation and a project for the construction of a massive dam
at Pancheswar, is underway.
Gori: Originating from a dual source in a glacier near south of Untadhura
ridge feeding the eastern branch, and another glacier near Milam feeding the
western branch, the Gori river joins the Kali at Jauljibi.
Dhauli: Dhauli is, infact, a combination of two head waters namely
Dharamganga and Lassar with the glacier close to Darma pass as their source
and, taking a south eastern course, finally joins Kali at Tawaghat.
Kutiyangti: This river originates from a small glacier along the southern
base of Lumpiyadhura Pass and is a tributary of Kali.
Sarju: Originating from the extreme south of adjacent Almora district, the
river Sarju makes the south west boundary between Pithoragarh and Almora
and, finally, at a point at Pancheswar, it joins Kali along with Panar river.
Ramganga: Forming the boundary between Almora and Pithoragarh
districts the Ramganga originates from the Namik glacier. The river is fed by
numerous small and big rivers and finally joins Sarju at Rameshwar.There
are scriptual evidences which bearout that the great sage Vasistha also
performed penance here and that the river Sarju originating from the feet of
Lord Vishnu has journeyed to the ashram of Vasistha.The river is held in
great reverence and is it is believed that it is gifted with the power of
condoning their sins and hence is a preferred spot for cremation.
Traditional Drinking water Sources and natural lakes
The human settlements in different remote regions of Pithoragarh were
principally based upon the factor of the easy availability of pure drinking
water and it is a notable feature of all upland habitations that the under
ground water reservoirs capable of supplying drinking water perennially
either in the forms of guided springs called dharas or covered storages called
Naulas, have been a primary source of water supply. Some of the
underground reservoirs are so enormous that they emerge as rivers in lesser
Himalaya and are continuously replenished either by the snow melts or by the
rain water.
There are a number of such spout springs (dharas) and covered storages
(Naulas) which over a long period have gathered legends around them due
either to their topography, architecture or location special, so much so that
they have now become chosen picnic spots e.g., to the north of Dharchula is
situated a hot water spring at the bank of Kali in a place called Tapowan and
another in Madkot.
Perhaps heights and lakes do not make a very probable combination but be
lying the normal belief, Pithoragarh possesses wonders of natural lakes in the
form of Jollingkong and Ancherital at an elevation of 4634 and 3658 meters
respectively.
Peaks and Passes
Peaks: Important peaks of the district are Panchchuli, Chaukhamba, Trishul,
Nanda Devi, Nand Kot.
Passes: The area to the north beyond the main zone of Himalaya with a
range of altitude between 5300–6500 meters, possesses the following well
known passes: Gori Gunkha Valley – Belcha Dhura (5,384 m), Kungri
Bhingri (5,564 m), Keo Dhura (5,439 m), Dhauli E Valley – Lwa Dhura
(5,564 m), Kali Valley – Lipu Lekh (5,122 m), Kuti Valley – Lampiya Dhura
(5,553 m), Nuwe Dhura (5,650 m), From Bedang to Jolinkong – Sirla Pass,
From Milan to Topidhura – Untadhura Pass, From Martoli -lwa to Khati –
Traills Pass, From Munsyari to Sipu – Ralam Pass, From Sela to Kuti –
Nama Pass, From Sipu to Milam – Kalganga Dhura, Within Panchchuli range
– Athasi Balati
Climate:
Seasons -1. Winter or Cold weather (mid Dec. – mid March), 2. Summer or
hot weather (mid March – mid June), 3. Season of general rains (South –
West monsoon season), 4. Season of retreating monsoon (mid September to
mid November)
Page 5


Pithoragarh
Located at a height of 1636m, on Indo-Tibet route Pithoragarh is the
headquarters of the district. City with a population of 483439, and a military
cantonment, also has remains of an ancient fort.Once the bastion of the
Chand rulers, Pithoragarh town is littered with temples and forts belonging to
that era. The town is set in a valley popularly known as and lies in the centre
of four hills Chandak, Dhwaj, Kumdar and Thal Kedar, and stretches in the
southern flank to Jhulaghat demarcated by the Kali river adjoining the barren
peaks of Nepal Hills. It is snuggled in the folds of four kots Bhatkot,
Dungerkot, Udaikot and Unchakot.
History- Pithoragarh District having its entire northern and eastern
boundaries being international, assumes a great strategic significance and,
obviously, is a politically sensitive district along the northern frontier of
India. Being the last district adjoining Tibet, it has tremendous strategic
importance as the passes of Lipulekh, Kungribingri, Lampia Dhura, Lawe
Dhura, Belcha and Keo, open out to Tibbet. The breath taking beauty of
Pithoragarh – Himalayas, wide expenses of grassy meadow, perennial
streams roaring down the zig-zag course, a stupendous variety of flora and
fauna, above all, pure nature yet unsullied, seem to beckon the beholder into
their folds, into a charmed world of virgin beauty.
It was in the wake of the Chinese aggression that on the 24
th
 Feb. 1960, a
sizeable section of Almora district was carved into Pithoragarh district
containing extreme border areas with its head quarters in Pithoragarh town.
On 15
th
 September 1997, the Champawat Tehsil, hitherto under Pithoragarh,
was carved into Champawat district.
Geography- The district lies between 29.4° to 30.3° North latitude and 80°
to 81° East longitude along the eastern and southern part of the central
Himalayas with Indo-Tibbetan watershed divide in the north and the Kali
river, forming a continuous border with Nepal in the east. The Pithoragarh
district is surrounded by the national boundaries of Almora, Champawat,
Bageshwar and Chamoli districts and extends over an area of 7,217.7 sq.Km.
There are numerous gay spots to which the prospective tourist may plan
excursions like Chandak, Thal Kedar, Gangolihat (77 kms) famous for its kali
temple, Patal Bhuvneshwar (99 kms), Berinag (Tea Garden of Chaukori – 11
km away from Berinag), Didihat,Munsyari (base camp for traks to
Milam,Ralam and Namik Glacier), Dharchula(base camp for Kailas
Mansarover Yatra, Adi Kailash Yatra, Narayan Swami Ashram) and Jauljibi.
Flora fauna- Although one does not find an abundance of flora and fauna
in Pithoragarh but these are remarkable for their sheer variety. The biological
diversity is very important in many aspects. Since the district possesses a
great range of elevation there is a remarkable diversity in its natural
vegetation.In addition climatic variations,particularly in temperature and
precipitation associated with the alignment and altitudes of ranges and nature
of valleys, determine the altitudinal growth and variety of vegetation. The
northern hilly zone is covered with dense forests, particularly on northern
slopes, with the diverse flora upto an elevation of about 14,000 ft.
The flora of this district may be classified into tropical, Himalayan sub-
tropical and sub alpine and alpine vegetation.
The alpine and sub-alpine zones which include Milam, Ralam, Garbyang,
Martoli etc, are very rich in the medicinal herbs and are considered as the
most natural abode of the largest number of medicinal plants.The sub-alpine
zones are a natural sanctuary for Leopard, Chital, fleet little Monkeys,
Langoor, Bear, Kakar or barking deer, Ghoral etc. Whereas the high altitude
zones abound in Musk deer, popularly called Kastura, Snow Leopard, Blue
Sheep, Thar etc.The entire zone is rich in a remarkable variety of birds
possessing plumage of magnificent design and colours like Peacock, which
include Grey Quail, Kala Titar, Whistling Thrush, Chakor, Monal Pheasant,
Cheer Pheasant, Koklas Pheasant etc.
Bugyal: Passing along the route of Chhota Kailash, the world is surrounded
by the lush stretches of velvetty grass bugyals (alpine meadows) such as
Chhiplakot and Vyas Valley.
Rivers- The district abounds in rivers some of which originate within the
fold of the district and, assuming a peripheral course along the borderline,
enter the Garhwal region and eventually merges into the Ganga and have thus
been geographically grouped under the rivers of the Ganga system. These
are:
Girthi: This river has a short course in the extreme NW of Pithoragarh and,
moving along Kungribingri range in a west and south west course, finally
enters in the Garhwal region.
Keogad: To the north of Girthi and alike having a short course in
Pithoragarh the Keogad river moving along the inner enclosures of the
district enters the Garhwal region.
The second is Kali River System.
Kali: The river Kali originating from trans Himalayan zone forms the
continuous border with Nepal all through its course from Kalapani to
Tanakpur where terminating its serpentine hilly course it finally enters plains
and is then called Sharda. Along its vast catchment in the entire northern and
eastern parts of Pithoragarh, the Kali is almost a human presence, masterful
yet benign.The Kali river possesses an immense potential for irrigation and
hydro electric generation and a project for the construction of a massive dam
at Pancheswar, is underway.
Gori: Originating from a dual source in a glacier near south of Untadhura
ridge feeding the eastern branch, and another glacier near Milam feeding the
western branch, the Gori river joins the Kali at Jauljibi.
Dhauli: Dhauli is, infact, a combination of two head waters namely
Dharamganga and Lassar with the glacier close to Darma pass as their source
and, taking a south eastern course, finally joins Kali at Tawaghat.
Kutiyangti: This river originates from a small glacier along the southern
base of Lumpiyadhura Pass and is a tributary of Kali.
Sarju: Originating from the extreme south of adjacent Almora district, the
river Sarju makes the south west boundary between Pithoragarh and Almora
and, finally, at a point at Pancheswar, it joins Kali along with Panar river.
Ramganga: Forming the boundary between Almora and Pithoragarh
districts the Ramganga originates from the Namik glacier. The river is fed by
numerous small and big rivers and finally joins Sarju at Rameshwar.There
are scriptual evidences which bearout that the great sage Vasistha also
performed penance here and that the river Sarju originating from the feet of
Lord Vishnu has journeyed to the ashram of Vasistha.The river is held in
great reverence and is it is believed that it is gifted with the power of
condoning their sins and hence is a preferred spot for cremation.
Traditional Drinking water Sources and natural lakes
The human settlements in different remote regions of Pithoragarh were
principally based upon the factor of the easy availability of pure drinking
water and it is a notable feature of all upland habitations that the under
ground water reservoirs capable of supplying drinking water perennially
either in the forms of guided springs called dharas or covered storages called
Naulas, have been a primary source of water supply. Some of the
underground reservoirs are so enormous that they emerge as rivers in lesser
Himalaya and are continuously replenished either by the snow melts or by the
rain water.
There are a number of such spout springs (dharas) and covered storages
(Naulas) which over a long period have gathered legends around them due
either to their topography, architecture or location special, so much so that
they have now become chosen picnic spots e.g., to the north of Dharchula is
situated a hot water spring at the bank of Kali in a place called Tapowan and
another in Madkot.
Perhaps heights and lakes do not make a very probable combination but be
lying the normal belief, Pithoragarh possesses wonders of natural lakes in the
form of Jollingkong and Ancherital at an elevation of 4634 and 3658 meters
respectively.
Peaks and Passes
Peaks: Important peaks of the district are Panchchuli, Chaukhamba, Trishul,
Nanda Devi, Nand Kot.
Passes: The area to the north beyond the main zone of Himalaya with a
range of altitude between 5300–6500 meters, possesses the following well
known passes: Gori Gunkha Valley – Belcha Dhura (5,384 m), Kungri
Bhingri (5,564 m), Keo Dhura (5,439 m), Dhauli E Valley – Lwa Dhura
(5,564 m), Kali Valley – Lipu Lekh (5,122 m), Kuti Valley – Lampiya Dhura
(5,553 m), Nuwe Dhura (5,650 m), From Bedang to Jolinkong – Sirla Pass,
From Milan to Topidhura – Untadhura Pass, From Martoli -lwa to Khati –
Traills Pass, From Munsyari to Sipu – Ralam Pass, From Sela to Kuti –
Nama Pass, From Sipu to Milam – Kalganga Dhura, Within Panchchuli range
– Athasi Balati
Climate:
Seasons -1. Winter or Cold weather (mid Dec. – mid March), 2. Summer or
hot weather (mid March – mid June), 3. Season of general rains (South –
West monsoon season), 4. Season of retreating monsoon (mid September to
mid November)
Temperature- During the coldest month of January, tropical ridges and
high location along the lesser Himalaya record an average monthly
temperature between 5.5°C and 8°C. By the March the temperature begins to
rise progressively till early June which is the hottest month every where.
Dharchula and Jhulaghat record an average temperature between 30–45°C.
Glaciars- The enormous snow reservoirs act as a natural source of big
rivers originating at the base of the lesser Himalayas. Rougly 30 per cent of
the district wears the perpetual snow cover and the gigantic masses of sliding
snow feed a number of glaciers which in turn feed the three important
northern-most rivers namely Kuti Yangti, Dhauli and Gori having their
catchment in the glaciated zones.
The entire district can be grouped into the following climatic zones:
Milam: Milam, one of the most beautiful glaciers of the world is in district
Pithoragarh located at the height of 4250 meters above sea level. This glacier
has been named after a village Milam located at 3 k.m. away from the Milam
Glacier. In ancient time, Milam village was the most populous village of
district Pithoragarh but at present its population is almost zero. But its
importance is still maintained due to the world’s famous glacier – Milam.
River Goriganga, a tributary of the river Kali starts from the Milam Glacier.
Climatic Zone
Elevation (in
meters)
1. Cool Temperature 
a. Moist 600–1200
b. Dry 1000–2500
c. Sub Tropical Valley 600–1200
2. Cold Temperature 
a. Cold Temperature in higher location (snow bound)
(5–6 month)
3000–3500
b. Cold Temperature (lower valley) 2000–3000
3. Alpine Zone 
Perpetually snow covered area 3500 – above
4. Dry Climate