Question

Why are the Himalayas important in the life of Indians?

Answer 1

Hint: The Himalayas are an imposing crescent-shaped mountain range expanding for over 2500 km from the south of the Indus Valley beyond Nanga Parbat in the west to Namcha Barwa in the east. The majestic mountain chain showing distinguished southward convexity stands like a wall adjoining the entire northern margin of the Indian Subcontinent.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
The Significance of the Himalayas and its Importance for India.
1. Climatic Influence
The Himalayas play a very crucial role in affecting the climate of India. Had there been no Himalayas, the whole of India would have been a desert in the deficiency of precipitation and its winters would have been very drastic under the effect of cold air masses coming from Central Asia. According to the latest meteorological studies, the Himalayas are accountable for splitting the jet stream into two branches and these in turn play an exceptionally crucial role in bringing monsoons to India.

2. Defence:
The Himalayas have been defending India from outside invaders since the early times thus administering as a defence barrier. But the Chinese invasion on India in October, 1962 has curtailed the defence significance of the Himalayas to a considerable extent.

3. Source of Rivers:
Almost all the great rivers of India have their origins in the Himalayan ranges. The Himalayan Rivers, along with hundreds of their tributaries, form the very purpose of life in the whole of north India.

4. Fertile Soil:
The great rivers and their tributaries carry enormous quantities of alluvium while descending from the Himalayas. which gets deposited in the Great Plain of North India in the form of fertile soil. This makes the Northern plains the most fertile lands of the world.

5. Hydroelectricity:
The Himalayan region gives several sites which can be used for generating hydroelectricity. There are natural waterfalls at certain places while dams can be established across rivers at some other places. The enormous power capacity of the Himalayan Rivers still expects proper utilisation.

6. Forest Wealth:
The Himalayan ranges are very rich in forest reserves. The Himalayan forests supply fuel wood and a large variation of raw materials for forest based industries. Besides many medicinal plants thrive in the Himalayan region.

Note: The Himalayas are fold mountains which are the youngest formed landforms. The 3 major geographical entities are,
1.the Himadri (greater Himalayas ),
2.the Himachal (lesser Himalayas ), and
3.the Shiwaliks (outer Himalayas )