With reference to the Hindu Kush Himalayas, consider the following sta...
**Answer:**
The correct answer is option 'C' - Both 1 and 2.
**Explanation:**
The Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) is a mountain range that spans eight countries, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It is often referred to as the "third pole" due to the presence of the largest volume of ice and snow outside of the Arctic and Antarctica.
1. The first statement is correct. The Hindu Kush Himalayas hold around 15,000 glaciers, which store about 12,000 cubic kilometers of freshwater. This makes it the largest repository of ice and snow in the world outside of the polar regions. The glaciers in this region provide water to major river systems like the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mekong, which are a lifeline for millions of people in the region.
2. The second statement is also correct. Mongolia is considered part of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. While Mongolia is not located in the immediate vicinity of the main mountain range, it is included in the HKH region due to its shared ecological and climatic characteristics. Mongolia is a landlocked country in East Asia, and it shares a border with the northern part of China, which falls within the Hindu Kush Himalayas. The inclusion of Mongolia in the HKH region allows for a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and climate patterns in the broader region.
Therefore, both statements are correct. The Hindu Kush Himalayas are considered the third pole due to their significant ice and snow reserves, and Mongolia is also part of the HKH region.
With reference to the Hindu Kush Himalayas, consider the following sta...
According to a new report from International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) have seen a 65 per cent faster loss of glacier mass.
- The Hindu-Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region encompasses Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
- It is considered as the Third Pole (after the North and South Poles) because it contains the largest volume of ice and snow outside of the Arctic and Antarctica.
- The ice and snow from this region are an important source of water for 12 rivers that flow through 16 countries in Asia.
Hence both statements are correct.
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