Brief Geography of District Kullu | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Location and Size

• Kullu district is situated in the eastern part of central Himachal Pradesh. Geographically, it is located between 31°20′25″ to 32°25′0″ north latitude and 76°56′30″ to 77°52′20″ east longitude. It is bordered to the north and east by the Lahaul & Spiti district, to the south-east by Kinnaur district, to the south by Shimla district, and to the south-west and west by Mandi district. 
• To the north-west, it adjoins Kangra district. The district headquarters is positioned at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level at the confluence of the Sarvary rivulet and Beas river. 
• Covering a total area of 5,503 square kilometers, Kullu ranks 5th in terms of area and 9th in terms of population among the districts of Himachal Pradesh. The district's area represents 9.88% of the state's total area, while its population makes up 6.38% of the state's total population.

Physiography

• Kullu district lies in a transitional zone between the Lesser and Greater Himalayas, featuring a rugged mountainous terrain with moderate to high relief. The elevation ranges from 1,089 meters to over 6,632 meters above sea level. 
• The higher elevations are adorned with impressive snow peaks and glaciers. Notable glaciers in the district include Kalihen, Beas Kund, Saraomaga, Trichu, Parvati, Dibbi, and Mantalai, varying from 3 to 16 kilometers in length and from 500 to 800 meters in width.

Geology

• The district's rock types include phyllite, slate, quartzite, limestone, schists, and granites, classified based on physical characteristics, formation period, and mode. Major geological groups in the district are Central Gneiss, Kullu Formation, Banjar Formation, and Tourmaline Granites. 
• Central Gneiss, considered the oldest at over 1,500 million years, consists of various gneissic rocks layered with quartzite, granites, and pegmatites. The larger formation features thick layers of grey dolomite and pink limestone, alongside slate, phyllite, and quartzite. 
• Tourmaline Granites are believed to be intrusive and a likely source of high radioactivity, associated with numerous hot water springs in the area. The district is divided into five sub-micro regions based on physiography, climate, soil cover, geology, and natural vegetation.

1. Kullu Valley

• This region extends along both banks of the Beas River and its major tributaries like Parvati and Tirthan rivers, covering most parts of Manali, Kullu tehsils, and Sainj sub-tehsil, with a small portion of Banjar tehsil. Surrounded by Kullu forests, it is bordered by Mandi district to the south-west. 
• The valley, shaped by the Beas River, is narrow in the north and widens towards Kullu and the central and southern parts of Manali tehsils, with undulating areas in Sainj sub-tehsil and Banjar tehsil. The region is relatively flat and fertile, with elevations ranging from 1,089 to 2,980 meters above sea level. The Beas River, originating in the Pir Panjal range near Rohtang Pass, flows southwards through the central part of the valley to Aut. 
• Major tributaries include the Tirthan River, Parvati River, and various smaller nallas. The climate is warm in summer, cool in winter, and upper areas receive snowfall in December and January. The geology is mostly middle Proterozoic formations with mixed vegetation of Deodars on higher slopes. The valley is renowned for its scenic beauty.

2. Kullu Forests

• Surrounding the Kullu Valley, this region covers parts of Manali, Kullu, Banjar tehsils, and Sainj sub-tehsil. It features rugged and undulating topography with altitudes ranging from 2,800 to 4,953 meters above sea level. Numerous Dhars and streams from higher reaches merge with the Beas River. 
• The climate is cool and dry, with snowfall in high areas during winter. The geology primarily consists of Jutogh/Vaikrita groups and Central Gneiss, with soil types including Orthents-Ochrepts and Udalfs in different parts. The region is densely forested with species like Chir, Kail, Silver Fir, Walnut, Horse Chestnut, Oak, and Deodar. 
• These forests are crucial for the district's economy, providing timber, medicinal herbs, resin, and firewood.

3. Kullu Greater Himalaya

• This region covers the crest of the Greater Himalayas in the north and east of Kullu district, including parts of eastern Kullu, Manali tehsils, the north-eastern tip of Sainj sub-tehsil, and northern, eastern, and south-eastern Banjar tehsil. It is bordered by Lahaul & Spiti district to the north and east, Shimla district and Satluj basin to the south, and Kullu forests to the west. 
• The region is highly rugged with Dhars such as Ali Ratni Dhar, Ghodil Dhar, Sirkhand Dhar, and Dharing Dhar. Elevations range from 4,012 to 6,632 meters above sea level. The Pin Parvati Pass (5,319 meters) is a significant feature, and the region contains glaciers like Dudhon, Parvati, Tichu, Sara Umga, and Dibi ka glacier. 
• The climate is severe and dry, and the geology includes Granites, Haimanta group, Jutogh group, and Central Gneiss. The soil types are Udalfs, Orthents-Ochrepts, and glaciers and snow caps, with no vegetation cover due to the harsh conditions.

4. Satluj Basin

• Located in the southern part of Kullu district, including Ani and Nirmand tehsils, this region is bordered by Kullu forests and Kullu Greater Himalaya to the north, Mandi district to the west, and Shimla district to the south and east. The region is hilly, with Dhars like Jalori Dhar and Sirkhand Dhar running along the northern boundary of Ani and Nirmand. 
• Elevations vary from 1,059 to 5,148 meters above sea level. The Satluj River enters the region at Kindla and flows along its southern boundary, exiting at Behna. Tributaries include the Ani, Khuddi, Beha, and Kurpan Khads. The climate is hot in summer, cool in winter, with maximum rainfall during monsoon and snowfall in higher reaches. 
• Geologically, it features Jutogh/Vaikrita groups and Central Gneiss in the west and Nagthat, Muth, and Manikaran formations in the east. Soil types include Udalfs-Ochrepts and Orthents-Ochrepts, with upper areas covered by dense mixed jungles.

5. Pir Panjal

• This region is situated in the extreme northern and north-western parts of Kullu district, covering a small part of Manali tehsil. It borders Kangra district to the west, Lahaul & Spiti district to the north and east, Kullu forests to the south, and Kullu Greater Himalaya to the south-east. 
• Characterized by high snow-covered mountains, glaciers, and passes, elevations range from 3,685 to 5,932 meters above sea level. Notable features include Hanuman Tibba (5,932 meters), Rohtang Pass (3,978 meters), and other passes like Thanod, Taintu Ka Jot, and Hamta Jot. The region contains Dhars such as Beas Kund Dhar, Shiti Dhar, Kara Dhar, Rohan Dhar, and Satbehui Dhar. 
• The Beas River, originating from the Pir Panjal range near Rohtang Pass, flows southwards. The geology is mainly granites with Udalfs soil, and the region lacks vegetation due to its rugged terrain and extreme conditions. The only motorable road is the Border Road.

Drainage (River System) in District Kullu

• River Beas: The Beas River is the principal river of Kullu district, originating from Beas Kund in the Pir Panjal Ranges at Rohtang Pass (approximately 3,900 meters). It flows southward for about 120 kilometers to Larjee. The river's tributaries, such as Solang, Manalsu, Sujoin, and Fozal nallas, and the Sarvari nalla, are on its banks.
• River Parvati: The Parvati River, which receives water from Malana Nalla and other tributaries, flows from north-west to south-west before merging with the Beas River. Its tributaries include the Hurlagad, which rises from a glaciated area and joins the Beas opposite Bajaura.
• Sainj Khad: Originating from Supa Kuni, a high peak on the Spiti boundary, Sainj Khad runs through the Sainj valley and merges with the Beas River at Larjee.
• River Tirthan: The Tirthan River joins the Sainj Khad just above its confluence with the Beas River.
• River Satluj: The Satluj River touches the southern edge of the district in the Ani and Nirmand tehsils. It rises from Mansarover and flows through Nirmand tehsil, forming the district's southern boundary with Shimla district. Major tributaries from Kullu include Kurpan and Ani Khads. These rivers and their tributaries are vital for the district's power generation and fishery activities.