Himalayan Region in India, Formation, Types, Significance

The Himalayas are fold mountains that were formed due to the convergence of two tectonic plates. Acting as a dividing range between the Tibetan Plateau in the north and India in the south, the Himalayas constitute one of the 5 physiographic divisions of India. The mountains also act as a barrier guarding India’s frontiers. 

Formation of Himalayas

The Himalayas were formed several years ago due to the convergence of the Indo-Australian Tectonic Plate with Eurasian Tectonic Plate. The evolution of the Himalayas is as follows: 

• The Pangea Landscape was surrounded by the Panthalassa waterbody about 250 million years ago. Later, about 150 years later, the Pangea subcontinent further broke into pieces into further two parts: 
• Laurasia and Angaraland: The northern part was called Angaraland or Laurasia. It consists of present day North America, Europe and Asia. 
• The South part is called Gondawanaland and consists of Africa, Australia, Antarctica and South America. 
• The Tethys Sea in between Dondwanaland and Angaraland, was created by the division of Pangea. 
• Millions of years ago, Gondwanaland and Angaraland began breaking apart into smaller landmasses. The Indo-Australian Plate (now India and Australia) separated from Gondwanaland, while the Eurasian Plate (comprising Europe and Northern Asia) emerged from Angaraland.
• Driven by convection currents in the Earth’s mantle, the Indo-Australian Plate drifted northward, gradually colliding with the Eurasian Plate across the Tethys Sea. As they converged, the Tethys Sea shrank, and its seabed sediments were compressed and pushed upward, forming folds.
• Over time, these rising folds gave birth to the Himalayas, a process that continues even today. The collision of these plates still causes the Himalayas to rise by about 5 mm per year, shaping the world’s highest mountain range.

Types of Himalayas

Himalayas happen to be one of the youngest mountain ranges in the words and are divided into four different types according to their geological and geographical characteristics:

• Trans- Himalayas: they are on the north of Great Himalayas and consist of arid landscapes and high plateaus
• Greater Himalayas (Himadri): this is the most prominent himalayan range, consisting of the Mount Everest and kanchenjunga
• Lesser Himalayas (Himachal): includes Shimla and Darjeeling and rugged terrains
• Shivalik Hills are the youngest range lying on the low-altitude foothills
• The Himalayas act as a natural barrier and are important for balancing Indian climates, water resources and biodiversity. 

‹ ›

Longitudinal Division of Himalayas

According to the longitudinal division, the Himalayas can be divided into 3 divisions: 

The Trans-Himalayas

• The Trans-Himalayas lie north of the Great Himalayas, stretching 1,000 km from east to west.
• Their average elevation is around 3,000 meters above sea level.
• The major ranges include the Karakoram Range, Ladakh Range, and Zaskar Range.

Karakoram Range

• The northernmost Trans-Himalayan range in India, forming a natural boundary with Afghanistan and China.
• It spans 110-130 km in width and houses some of the world’s highest peaks and largest glaciers.
• K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen), at 8,611m, is the second-highest peak in the world.
• Major glaciers include the Siachen Glacier and Remo Glacier.

Ladakh Range

• A southeastern extension of the Karakoram Range.
• Runs from Shyok River in North Kashmir to the Indo-Tibetan border.
• The Deosai Mountains in POK and the Kailash Range in Tibet are often considered part of this range.

Zaskar Range

• Runs parallel to the Great Himalayas, extending southeast from the Suru River to the Upper Karnali River.
• Kamet Peak (25,446 ft) is the highest peak in this range.

The Himalayan Ranges

The Himalayan Ranges are divided into different ranges like Himavan, Himadri, Shivalik Range etc. Being the youngest mountains, the Himalayas consist of uplifted Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks.The Himalayas are bordered on the northwest by Karakoram and Hindu Kush Ranges on the North by the Tibetan Plateau and Indo-Gangetic Plains on south. 

The mountains range over 2,400 km from Indus Gorge In west to Brahmaputra Gorge in the east. 

1. The Greater Himalayas (Himadri/Inner Himalayas/Central Himalayas)

• Composed of Archaean rocks like granite, gneiss, and schist.
• Orientation changes across regions:
  • Southeast across northern Pakistan, India, and Nepal.
  • Eastward across Sikkim and Bhutan.
  • Northeast across northern Arunachal Pradesh.
• Home to several of the world’s highest peaks, including:
  • Nanga Parbat, Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Namcha Barwa.
• The slopes are steep in the north and gentler in the south.

2. The Middle Himalayas (Lesser/Lowe Himalayas)

• Elevation: 3,500 to 5,000 meters | Width: 60 to 80 km.
• Major ranges: Nag Tibba, Mahabharat Range, Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal, Mussoorie Range.
• Rivers like Jhelum and Chenab pass through this range.
• Kashmir Valley lies between Pir Panjal and Zanskar Range.
• Famous hill stations: Shimla, Chail, Ranikhet, Chakrata, Nainital, Almora.
• Karewas (fluvioglacial deposits) are found between the Greater and Middle Himalayas.

3. The Outer Himalayas (Shiwalik Hills)

• Southernmost Himalayan range, lying between the Middle Himalayas and the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
• Rises abruptly from the plains of the Indus and Ganges rivers.
• Churia Range is the portion of Shiwaliks in Nepal.
• Wider in the west, narrower in the east.
• Known for the formation of Doons and Duars:
  • Created by rivers depositing fertile alluvial soils after cutting through the Shiwaliks.
  • Doons (western India) & Duars (eastern India) are important for tea cultivation.

4. The Eastern Hills (Purvanchal)

• Formed by a southward bend of the Himalayas at the Dihang Gorge (Syntaxial Bend).
• Extends from Arunachal Pradesh to Mizoram, forming India’s border with Myanmar.
• Major ranges:
  • Patkai Bum – Along the Arunachal Pradesh-Myanmar border.
  • Naga Hills – South of Patkai Bum, forms a watershed with Myanmar.
  • Manipur Hills – South of Naga Hills, separated by Barail Range.
  • Mizo Hills (Lushai Hills) – Southernmost range of Purvanchal. 

Himalayan Mountains Significance

The importance of Himalayas is as follows: 

• Climatic Influence: The Himalayas shape India’s climate by blocking cold Siberian winds and triggering monsoonal rainfall through their altitude and orientation.
• Natural Defense: Acting as a formidable barrier, they have historically protected India from invasions and external threats.
• Water Source: These mountains sustain major Indian rivers, supporting agriculture and daily life across northern India.
• Forest Wealth: The region is rich in forests, providing fuelwood and raw materials for various industries.
• Agriculture: While large plains are scarce, terraced farming on slopes supports cultivation.
• Mineral Resources: The Himalayas contain valuable minerals like copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, and gemstones.
• Hydroelectric Potential: Rugged terrain and fast-flowing rivers make the region ideal for hydroelectric power generation.

Beyond their geographical importance, the Himalayas face critical ecological challenges, including climate change, deforestation, and unregulated tourism. Ensuring their sustainability is vital not only for India but for global environmental balance. A sustainable approach is the way forward.