Regional Geography of Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Regional Geography of Uttarakhand
The region is mosaic of small regions. In Garhkum, cultural areas are
generally defined by river valleys and water parting in general represent
boundary between different areas. The more rugged character of Garhwal
represents striking contrast to the milder aspects of Kumaun. The people of
upper tons basin (Panchgain and Fatehparbat patti) claims their descent from
the Kaurava King, Duryodhan and worship him as a god, whereas people in
Yamuna basin practice polyandry and associate themselves with Pandavas.
Similarly, the Dhawalganga valley is inhabited by Bhotiyas, having a
completely different cultural pattern. The confluence represent the contact
zones of different valley cultures.
Based on broad and generalized aspects, the Garhkum Himalaya has been
divided into three first order, nine second order and thirty five third order
regions. An attempt has been made to combine the traditional tripartite
classification of the Himadri (Greater Himalaya), the Himanchal (Lower
Himalaya), and Shivalik (Sub-Himalayan Tract) with intervening river basins
and the traditional zones. The study of different cultural features like
population density, settelement types, agriculture and animal husbandry etc.
makes it clear that there is a remarkable adjustment of these elements to the
altitudinal zones. The following regions have been outlined on the basis of
the above mentioned criteria.
1. Himadri- Himadri comprises the great Himalayan zone having a width of
about 50 km with mean relief between 4,800 and 6,000m. The region is
divided into two second order divisions: a) the Himadri Ranges and b) the
Himadri Valleys. The Himadri ranges occupy the highest occupy the
highest position covering the nortern part of the state. Most of this region
remains snow clad without any habitation. The five groups of peaks of the
region have been separated by transverse gorges of the Bhagirathi, the
Vishnuganga, the dhauliganga, the Goriganga and the East Dhauliganga
respectively.
The Himadri valleys comprise the deep gorges of the rivers garlanding the
high peaks of the Himadri. The main valleys are the Tons, the Yamuna, the
Jahanvi, the Bhagirathi, the Bhilangana, the Mandakini, the Vishnuganga,
Page 2


Regional Geography of Uttarakhand
The region is mosaic of small regions. In Garhkum, cultural areas are
generally defined by river valleys and water parting in general represent
boundary between different areas. The more rugged character of Garhwal
represents striking contrast to the milder aspects of Kumaun. The people of
upper tons basin (Panchgain and Fatehparbat patti) claims their descent from
the Kaurava King, Duryodhan and worship him as a god, whereas people in
Yamuna basin practice polyandry and associate themselves with Pandavas.
Similarly, the Dhawalganga valley is inhabited by Bhotiyas, having a
completely different cultural pattern. The confluence represent the contact
zones of different valley cultures.
Based on broad and generalized aspects, the Garhkum Himalaya has been
divided into three first order, nine second order and thirty five third order
regions. An attempt has been made to combine the traditional tripartite
classification of the Himadri (Greater Himalaya), the Himanchal (Lower
Himalaya), and Shivalik (Sub-Himalayan Tract) with intervening river basins
and the traditional zones. The study of different cultural features like
population density, settelement types, agriculture and animal husbandry etc.
makes it clear that there is a remarkable adjustment of these elements to the
altitudinal zones. The following regions have been outlined on the basis of
the above mentioned criteria.
1. Himadri- Himadri comprises the great Himalayan zone having a width of
about 50 km with mean relief between 4,800 and 6,000m. The region is
divided into two second order divisions: a) the Himadri Ranges and b) the
Himadri Valleys. The Himadri ranges occupy the highest occupy the
highest position covering the nortern part of the state. Most of this region
remains snow clad without any habitation. The five groups of peaks of the
region have been separated by transverse gorges of the Bhagirathi, the
Vishnuganga, the dhauliganga, the Goriganga and the East Dhauliganga
respectively.
The Himadri valleys comprise the deep gorges of the rivers garlanding the
high peaks of the Himadri. The main valleys are the Tons, the Yamuna, the
Jahanvi, the Bhagirathi, the Bhilangana, the Mandakini, the Vishnuganga,
the West Dhauliganga, the East Dhauliganga and the Kali, each with its
own type of culture. Various types of transhumance are practiced in these
valleys. The valleys of the Dhauliganga (east and west), Goriganga, and the
Upper Kali accommodate the largest number of Bhotiyas, the chief
nomadic tribe of the region. Malaria, Telam, Milam Martoli,Ralam, Lilam,
Munsiyari, Garbyang, and Khela are important localities where the Bhotia
tribes are well concentrated.
2. Himanchal- with an approximate width of 75km., the Himancal is a
massive mountain tract in between Central Himalayan Thrust in the
north and the Main Boundary Thrust in the south. The average relief of
ridges in this region varies between 1,500 and 2,700m. while the bottom
range between 500 and 1200m. The region is characterized by a variety of
landscapes. Considering the river valley as a representative of one culture
and the water divide as a boundary between two cultures, the whole region
has been divided into four 2
nd
 order regions. These are a) Tons-Yamuna
basin, b) the Bhagirathi-Alaknanda basin, c) the Ramganga-Kosi basin and
d) the Sarju-Kali basin.
a. The Tons-Yamuna Basin- lies in the westernmost part of the Himanchal
region. Administratively, the basin comprises parts of the Tehsil of
Purola and Rajgarh of the Uttarkashi district, and Tehri, Chakrata of
Dehradun. The more rugged character of the upper part of the basin is in
striking contrast to the milder aspect of the lower part. The region,
covering most of the part of the Jaunsar Himalaya has its own traditions
and cultures and there is a little modification in the social setup and other
horizons of the people in recent years. Intermittent cultivation is practiced
in steep hill sides whereas dry and wet farming are prevalent on the
upland slopes and on the low-lying valleys respectively. The region has
three towns- Chakrata, Musoorie and Landaur. It is further divided into
two 3
rd
 order divisions- i) the Tons Basin, ii) the Yamuna Basin,
following the water-parting with its highest peak of Kedarkantha.
b. The Bhagirathi- Alaknanda Basin- forms the largest region of the area
covering partially the tehsils of Bhatwari, Dunda (Uttarkashi),
Pratapnagar, Tehri, Devprayag, Narendranagar (Tehri Garhwal),
Ukhimath, Chamoli, Karnprayag (Chamoli) and Pauri and Lansdown
(Pauri Garhwal). The region is well connected with motorable roads
following the river valleys, which are thus comparatively well developed,
Page 3


Regional Geography of Uttarakhand
The region is mosaic of small regions. In Garhkum, cultural areas are
generally defined by river valleys and water parting in general represent
boundary between different areas. The more rugged character of Garhwal
represents striking contrast to the milder aspects of Kumaun. The people of
upper tons basin (Panchgain and Fatehparbat patti) claims their descent from
the Kaurava King, Duryodhan and worship him as a god, whereas people in
Yamuna basin practice polyandry and associate themselves with Pandavas.
Similarly, the Dhawalganga valley is inhabited by Bhotiyas, having a
completely different cultural pattern. The confluence represent the contact
zones of different valley cultures.
Based on broad and generalized aspects, the Garhkum Himalaya has been
divided into three first order, nine second order and thirty five third order
regions. An attempt has been made to combine the traditional tripartite
classification of the Himadri (Greater Himalaya), the Himanchal (Lower
Himalaya), and Shivalik (Sub-Himalayan Tract) with intervening river basins
and the traditional zones. The study of different cultural features like
population density, settelement types, agriculture and animal husbandry etc.
makes it clear that there is a remarkable adjustment of these elements to the
altitudinal zones. The following regions have been outlined on the basis of
the above mentioned criteria.
1. Himadri- Himadri comprises the great Himalayan zone having a width of
about 50 km with mean relief between 4,800 and 6,000m. The region is
divided into two second order divisions: a) the Himadri Ranges and b) the
Himadri Valleys. The Himadri ranges occupy the highest occupy the
highest position covering the nortern part of the state. Most of this region
remains snow clad without any habitation. The five groups of peaks of the
region have been separated by transverse gorges of the Bhagirathi, the
Vishnuganga, the dhauliganga, the Goriganga and the East Dhauliganga
respectively.
The Himadri valleys comprise the deep gorges of the rivers garlanding the
high peaks of the Himadri. The main valleys are the Tons, the Yamuna, the
Jahanvi, the Bhagirathi, the Bhilangana, the Mandakini, the Vishnuganga,
the West Dhauliganga, the East Dhauliganga and the Kali, each with its
own type of culture. Various types of transhumance are practiced in these
valleys. The valleys of the Dhauliganga (east and west), Goriganga, and the
Upper Kali accommodate the largest number of Bhotiyas, the chief
nomadic tribe of the region. Malaria, Telam, Milam Martoli,Ralam, Lilam,
Munsiyari, Garbyang, and Khela are important localities where the Bhotia
tribes are well concentrated.
2. Himanchal- with an approximate width of 75km., the Himancal is a
massive mountain tract in between Central Himalayan Thrust in the
north and the Main Boundary Thrust in the south. The average relief of
ridges in this region varies between 1,500 and 2,700m. while the bottom
range between 500 and 1200m. The region is characterized by a variety of
landscapes. Considering the river valley as a representative of one culture
and the water divide as a boundary between two cultures, the whole region
has been divided into four 2
nd
 order regions. These are a) Tons-Yamuna
basin, b) the Bhagirathi-Alaknanda basin, c) the Ramganga-Kosi basin and
d) the Sarju-Kali basin.
a. The Tons-Yamuna Basin- lies in the westernmost part of the Himanchal
region. Administratively, the basin comprises parts of the Tehsil of
Purola and Rajgarh of the Uttarkashi district, and Tehri, Chakrata of
Dehradun. The more rugged character of the upper part of the basin is in
striking contrast to the milder aspect of the lower part. The region,
covering most of the part of the Jaunsar Himalaya has its own traditions
and cultures and there is a little modification in the social setup and other
horizons of the people in recent years. Intermittent cultivation is practiced
in steep hill sides whereas dry and wet farming are prevalent on the
upland slopes and on the low-lying valleys respectively. The region has
three towns- Chakrata, Musoorie and Landaur. It is further divided into
two 3
rd
 order divisions- i) the Tons Basin, ii) the Yamuna Basin,
following the water-parting with its highest peak of Kedarkantha.
b. The Bhagirathi- Alaknanda Basin- forms the largest region of the area
covering partially the tehsils of Bhatwari, Dunda (Uttarkashi),
Pratapnagar, Tehri, Devprayag, Narendranagar (Tehri Garhwal),
Ukhimath, Chamoli, Karnprayag (Chamoli) and Pauri and Lansdown
(Pauri Garhwal). The region is well connected with motorable roads
following the river valleys, which are thus comparatively well developed,
economically and culturally. The ancient holy route of Kailash
Mansarovar which is closed now passes through these valleys. This
region may be called heart of Garhwal region. Based on river valley
culture concept, the basin has been further sub-divided into seven 3
rd
order regions- i) the Bhagirathi basin, ii) the Bhilangna basin, iii) the
Mandakini basin, iv) the Alaknanda basin, v) the Pindar basin, vi) the
Nayar basin and vii) the Ganga basin. A number of well developed town
in this region are- Uttarkashi, New Tehri, and Devprayag in Bhagirathi
basin; Pauri, Srinagar in Alaknanda basin; Lansdown in the Nayar basin
and Narendranagar and Rishikesh in Ganga basin.
c. The Ramganga- Kosi Basin- the heart of the Kumaun region, comprises
parts of the tehsils of Karnprayag (Chamoli), Pauri and Lansdown (Pauri
Garhwal), Ranikhet and Almora (Almora) and Nainital. The region is
well connected by roads with the plains as well as with the interior parts
of the hills. Agriculture is the main occupation. Dwarahat and
Someshwar are two important historical centres which flourished during
reigns of Katyuri and Chand rulers. Ranikhet, Almora, Nainital and
Bhawali are main urban centres. The region is well known for orchards of
apple, pears, apricots, plums, citrus fruits etc. which bear the future trade
mark of Kumaun. The fruit belt of Ramgarh, Mukteshwar,Paharpani and
also of Chaubatia produces variety of fruits. Bhawali is the main fruit
collecting and exporting centre. The Ramganga valley is densely
populated and is well connected with the Pindar valley by a motorable
road via Gwaldam. The region is divided into three 3
rd
 order sub-regions-
i) the Ramganga basin, ii) the Kosi basin, iii) the Gola basin. In
population density the Kosi basin is next to the Ramganga basin. Most of
the area of Gola basin is densely forested however its lower basin and
Naukuchiyatal- Bhimtal belt is densely populated.
d. The Sarju- Kali Basin- Lying in the eastern part of the region, the Sarju-
Kali basin comprises parts of Almora, Bageshwar and Champawat and
whole of the Pithoragarh district. An ancient route to Kailash Mansarovar
which is still operative passes through this region. Some of the ancient
ruins are still located at Baijnath, Bageshwar, Jageshwar and Champawat
which haa been early capital of Chand rulers of Kumaun. The valley of
Sarju is more fertile and agriculturally more developed. The east- west
Kapkot-Tejam-Dharchula line marks two distinct regions: the northern
Page 4


Regional Geography of Uttarakhand
The region is mosaic of small regions. In Garhkum, cultural areas are
generally defined by river valleys and water parting in general represent
boundary between different areas. The more rugged character of Garhwal
represents striking contrast to the milder aspects of Kumaun. The people of
upper tons basin (Panchgain and Fatehparbat patti) claims their descent from
the Kaurava King, Duryodhan and worship him as a god, whereas people in
Yamuna basin practice polyandry and associate themselves with Pandavas.
Similarly, the Dhawalganga valley is inhabited by Bhotiyas, having a
completely different cultural pattern. The confluence represent the contact
zones of different valley cultures.
Based on broad and generalized aspects, the Garhkum Himalaya has been
divided into three first order, nine second order and thirty five third order
regions. An attempt has been made to combine the traditional tripartite
classification of the Himadri (Greater Himalaya), the Himanchal (Lower
Himalaya), and Shivalik (Sub-Himalayan Tract) with intervening river basins
and the traditional zones. The study of different cultural features like
population density, settelement types, agriculture and animal husbandry etc.
makes it clear that there is a remarkable adjustment of these elements to the
altitudinal zones. The following regions have been outlined on the basis of
the above mentioned criteria.
1. Himadri- Himadri comprises the great Himalayan zone having a width of
about 50 km with mean relief between 4,800 and 6,000m. The region is
divided into two second order divisions: a) the Himadri Ranges and b) the
Himadri Valleys. The Himadri ranges occupy the highest occupy the
highest position covering the nortern part of the state. Most of this region
remains snow clad without any habitation. The five groups of peaks of the
region have been separated by transverse gorges of the Bhagirathi, the
Vishnuganga, the dhauliganga, the Goriganga and the East Dhauliganga
respectively.
The Himadri valleys comprise the deep gorges of the rivers garlanding the
high peaks of the Himadri. The main valleys are the Tons, the Yamuna, the
Jahanvi, the Bhagirathi, the Bhilangana, the Mandakini, the Vishnuganga,
the West Dhauliganga, the East Dhauliganga and the Kali, each with its
own type of culture. Various types of transhumance are practiced in these
valleys. The valleys of the Dhauliganga (east and west), Goriganga, and the
Upper Kali accommodate the largest number of Bhotiyas, the chief
nomadic tribe of the region. Malaria, Telam, Milam Martoli,Ralam, Lilam,
Munsiyari, Garbyang, and Khela are important localities where the Bhotia
tribes are well concentrated.
2. Himanchal- with an approximate width of 75km., the Himancal is a
massive mountain tract in between Central Himalayan Thrust in the
north and the Main Boundary Thrust in the south. The average relief of
ridges in this region varies between 1,500 and 2,700m. while the bottom
range between 500 and 1200m. The region is characterized by a variety of
landscapes. Considering the river valley as a representative of one culture
and the water divide as a boundary between two cultures, the whole region
has been divided into four 2
nd
 order regions. These are a) Tons-Yamuna
basin, b) the Bhagirathi-Alaknanda basin, c) the Ramganga-Kosi basin and
d) the Sarju-Kali basin.
a. The Tons-Yamuna Basin- lies in the westernmost part of the Himanchal
region. Administratively, the basin comprises parts of the Tehsil of
Purola and Rajgarh of the Uttarkashi district, and Tehri, Chakrata of
Dehradun. The more rugged character of the upper part of the basin is in
striking contrast to the milder aspect of the lower part. The region,
covering most of the part of the Jaunsar Himalaya has its own traditions
and cultures and there is a little modification in the social setup and other
horizons of the people in recent years. Intermittent cultivation is practiced
in steep hill sides whereas dry and wet farming are prevalent on the
upland slopes and on the low-lying valleys respectively. The region has
three towns- Chakrata, Musoorie and Landaur. It is further divided into
two 3
rd
 order divisions- i) the Tons Basin, ii) the Yamuna Basin,
following the water-parting with its highest peak of Kedarkantha.
b. The Bhagirathi- Alaknanda Basin- forms the largest region of the area
covering partially the tehsils of Bhatwari, Dunda (Uttarkashi),
Pratapnagar, Tehri, Devprayag, Narendranagar (Tehri Garhwal),
Ukhimath, Chamoli, Karnprayag (Chamoli) and Pauri and Lansdown
(Pauri Garhwal). The region is well connected with motorable roads
following the river valleys, which are thus comparatively well developed,
economically and culturally. The ancient holy route of Kailash
Mansarovar which is closed now passes through these valleys. This
region may be called heart of Garhwal region. Based on river valley
culture concept, the basin has been further sub-divided into seven 3
rd
order regions- i) the Bhagirathi basin, ii) the Bhilangna basin, iii) the
Mandakini basin, iv) the Alaknanda basin, v) the Pindar basin, vi) the
Nayar basin and vii) the Ganga basin. A number of well developed town
in this region are- Uttarkashi, New Tehri, and Devprayag in Bhagirathi
basin; Pauri, Srinagar in Alaknanda basin; Lansdown in the Nayar basin
and Narendranagar and Rishikesh in Ganga basin.
c. The Ramganga- Kosi Basin- the heart of the Kumaun region, comprises
parts of the tehsils of Karnprayag (Chamoli), Pauri and Lansdown (Pauri
Garhwal), Ranikhet and Almora (Almora) and Nainital. The region is
well connected by roads with the plains as well as with the interior parts
of the hills. Agriculture is the main occupation. Dwarahat and
Someshwar are two important historical centres which flourished during
reigns of Katyuri and Chand rulers. Ranikhet, Almora, Nainital and
Bhawali are main urban centres. The region is well known for orchards of
apple, pears, apricots, plums, citrus fruits etc. which bear the future trade
mark of Kumaun. The fruit belt of Ramgarh, Mukteshwar,Paharpani and
also of Chaubatia produces variety of fruits. Bhawali is the main fruit
collecting and exporting centre. The Ramganga valley is densely
populated and is well connected with the Pindar valley by a motorable
road via Gwaldam. The region is divided into three 3
rd
 order sub-regions-
i) the Ramganga basin, ii) the Kosi basin, iii) the Gola basin. In
population density the Kosi basin is next to the Ramganga basin. Most of
the area of Gola basin is densely forested however its lower basin and
Naukuchiyatal- Bhimtal belt is densely populated.
d. The Sarju- Kali Basin- Lying in the eastern part of the region, the Sarju-
Kali basin comprises parts of Almora, Bageshwar and Champawat and
whole of the Pithoragarh district. An ancient route to Kailash Mansarovar
which is still operative passes through this region. Some of the ancient
ruins are still located at Baijnath, Bageshwar, Jageshwar and Champawat
which haa been early capital of Chand rulers of Kumaun. The valley of
Sarju is more fertile and agriculturally more developed. The east- west
Kapkot-Tejam-Dharchula line marks two distinct regions: the northern
region is more rugged and lofty and hence a few small settled pockets.
The Bhotiyas and other tribes are the main inhabitants of these high
valleys. A border road starting from Tanakpur rail-head passes through
Champawat, Lohaghat, Pithoragarh, Askot, and Dharchula. Apart from
this many branch border roads have recently been constructed. The mid
valley of the western Kali, comprising Pithoragarh is densely populated.
Dharchula, Jhulaghat, and Pancheshwar are the main ferry centres on the
Kali river for entering western Nepal and have developed as the main
centres for business with Nepal. On the basis of traditional customs and
social setup as well local dialects the region is divided into five 3
rd
 order
regions: i) the Sarju basin, ii) the Ramganga basin,iii) the Goriganga
basin, iv) the Western Kali basin, v) the Ladhiya basin.
3. The Siwalik- starting from the foot hills in the south to the main boundary
thrust in the north, a long and narrow chain of low hill ranges stretches
NW-SE following the general trend of the Himalaya. These ranges are
remarkably of even crest line between 750 and 1200 m. While the northern
slopes are profusely forested and descend gently to the flat floored
structural valleys called duns, the southern slopes are steep. The region is
divided into three 2
nd
 order regions i) the Yamuna Ganga Tract, ii) the
Ganga- Ramganga Tract and iii) the Ramganga- Kali tract.