Purvanchal Hills, List of Hills, Biodiversity, Significances

Purvanchal Hills are also known as the Eastern Highlands. They form the eastern extension of the Himalayan mountain system in northeastern India. These hills curve sharply south after the Dihang Gorge and extend along India’s border with Myanmar. It covers about 94,800 km² of the area and includes states like Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Purvanchal Hills List

The Purvanchal region consists of multiple Purvanchal Hill ranges arranged in north-south direction with distinct physical and geological characteristics across northeastern India.

• Patkai Hills: Located along the India-Myanmar border, these hills are formed during the Mesozoic era through tectonic activity. They have steep slopes, deep valleys and conical peaks. The region is dominated by sandstone formations and dense forests, supporting diverse ecosystems and acting as an important watershed.
• Naga Hills: Extending across Nagaland into Myanmar, these hills act as a natural boundary and watershed between Indian and Myanmar rivers. Peaks often exceed 3000 m, with Saramati (3926 m) as the highest. The terrain is rugged, forest covered and receives heavy monsoon rainfall.
• Manipur Hills: Surrounding the central Imphal Valley, these hills form an oval shaped structure. Elevations range between 900 m and 2100 m. The region includes Loktak Lake, the lowest point and supports agriculture in valley areas along with dense forest cover on slopes.
• Lushai Hills (Mizo Hills): Located mainly in Mizoram, these hills display parallel ridges and valleys arranged alternately. Elevation generally ranges from 150 m to above 1500 m. The terrain supports shifting cultivation and dense vegetation due to high rainfall conditions.
• Jampui Hills (Tripura Hills): These hills are composed of parallel folds running north to south. Elevation gradually decreases southward towards the plains. Ridges such as Deotamura, Atharamura and Langtarai increase in height eastward, merging into the Ganga-Brahmaputra lowlands.

Purvanchal Hills Biodiversity

The Purvanchal Hills are rich in vegetation diversity due to variations in altitude, rainfall and climate across short distances.

• Forest Diversity: The region shows a wide range of forests from tropical evergreen in low altitudes to temperate evergreen and coniferous forests in higher areas. 
• Bamboo Dominance: Bamboo forests are widely spread across the region, forming an important ecological and economic resource.
• Tropical Evergreen Species: Trees like Mesua ferrea, Careya arborea and Ficus elastica dominate lower elevations.
• Temperate Vegetation: Higher altitudes support species such as oak, chestnut, birch, maple, laurel and cherry. 
• Ravine Vegetation: Deep valleys and ravines support unique plants like Photiki and Photkola, which grow as small trees.

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Purvanchal Hills Significance

The Purvanchal Hills play an important role in shaping the geography, climate, ecology and human life of northeastern India.

• Geographical Extension of Himalayas: These hills represent the eastern continuation of the Himalayan system. They form a natural link between the Himalayas and the Arakan Yoma ranges.
• Strategic Location: The region lies along international borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh and China. This makes it important for connectivity and border management.
• Watershed Function: The hills act as water divides between rivers flowing into India and Myanmar. Drainage systems like the Tixu River cut across these ranges.
• Climatic Influence: The region experiences a monsoonal climate with four distinct seasons. Heavy rainfall during monsoon months supports dense vegetation, while temperature variations across seasons influence agriculture and human activities.
• Agricultural Practices: Due to hilly terrain and dense forests, Shifting Cultivation or Jhum Farming is widely practiced. Valleys like Imphal provide fertile land for settled agriculture, supporting rice cultivation and local economies.
• Topographical Diversity: The terrain includes parallel ridges, narrow valleys and low plains like Tripura and Cachar. Elevation varies from below 150 m to above 4500 m at Dapha Bum.
• Ecological Importance: The dense forest cover helps in soil conservation, prevents erosion and maintains ecological balance. It also supports diverse plant species and contributes to environmental stability in the region.
• Population and Settlement: With a population exceeding 4 million, settlements are mostly located in valleys and lowlands. The difficult terrain limits large scale urbanization, maintaining a balance between human activity and natural environment.
• Geological Composition: The hills are mainly composed of strong sandstone formations, making them structurally different from central Himalayas. This affects slope stability, erosion patterns and land use in the region.
• Transition Zone: The region acts as a transition between the Assam valley in the west and mountainous terrain in the east. This creates varied landscapes within short distances, influencing climate, vegetation and human settlement patterns.