The Western Himalayas are the western half of the Himalayas, in northwestern India and northern Pakistan. Four of the five tributaries of the Indus River in Punjab (Beas, Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi) rise in the Western Himalayas; while the fifth, the Sutlej cuts through the range after rising in Tibet.
Included within the Western Himalayas are the Zanskar Range, the Pir Panjal Range, and the Dhauladhar Range, and western parts of the Sivalik Range and the Great Himalayas. The highest point is Nanga Parbat (26,660 feet or 8,126 metres), at the northwestern end of the region.
The Western Himalayas are drained by several perennial, glacier-fed rivers that are vital for irrigation, hydroelectricity, and drinking water:
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Agriculture is the main economic activity in the area. The main crops grown in this region are paddy and wheat. The region is a major hub of horticulture in the Indian subcontinent. Apples are grown in Kashmir, Kinnaur, Kishtwar, and Kullu valleys, as well as the Hills of Shimla. These regions, particularly Kashmir and the Shimla Hills produce almost all the apples grown in India and South Asia. Saffron is also grown in Kashmir and Kishtwar, while dry fruits are grown in several areas of the western Himalayan region. Tea is grown in the Kangra valley. A large number of people from nomadic pastoral communities such as Gurjars, Bakarwals and Gaddis living in the alpine and subalpine areas of these mountains engage in cattle rearing.
Tourism is another major industry. The city of Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley is famous for its houseboats and shikaras on the Dal and Nigeen lakes. Shogran, Murree, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Dalhousie, Mcleodganj, Dharamshala, Manali and Shimla are famous hill stations.
Amarnath and Vaishno Devi are important pilgrimage centres attracting several hundred thousands of pilgrims each year. Gulmarg and Manali are popular winter-sports destinations where activities such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding etc. are done, while adventure sports like paragliding are done at Bir and Billing.
Several perennial rivers flow through these mountains which makes them ideal for hydroelectricity generation, and thus, several hydroelectric projects are complete or underway in Pakistan and India.
The climate of the Western Himalayas varies significantly with altitude and location. Lower elevations experience temperate conditions, while higher altitudes are subject to subarctic and alpine climates. Winters are long and harsh in the upper reaches, with heavy snowfall between November and March. In contrast, the foothills enjoy a relatively mild winter and warm summer.
The climate plays a crucial role in shaping the region’s ecology, agriculture, and tourism patterns.
The Western Himalayas were formed as a result of the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates , a process that began approximately 50 million years ago. The region continues to experience seismic activity, with numerous fault lines and thrust zones including the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Main Central Thrust (MCT).
Key geological features:
Frequent landslides, rockfalls, and glacial movements are ongoing geological processes that shape the dynamic Himalayan landscape.
Transportation in the Western Himalayas is challenging due to rugged terrain, high altitudes, and seasonal weather variations. However, the region is gradually becoming more accessible due to ongoing infrastructure development.
Seasonal closures due to snow, landslides, and floods often hamper accessibility, especially in remote districts.
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Many sites revered by people belonging to various faiths and religions.