Division of the Himalayas: Shiwaliks, Lesser Himalayas, Greater Himalayas, Trans-Himalayas, Eastern Hills

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Description: The Shiwaliks, also known as the Outer Himalayas, are the youngest and the southernmost range in the Himalayan chain.
- They lie between the Great Plains of India and the Lesser Himalayas.
Elevation:
- Ranges from 600 to 1500 meters above sea level.
Extent:
- Stretch approximately 2,400 km from the Potwar Plateau in Pakistan to the Brahmaputra valley in Assam.
Topography:
- Characterized by a series of low hills with a steep southern slope and a gentler northern slope.
- Valleys are part of synclines and hills are part of anticlines or antisynclines.
- The range narrows from 50 km in Himachal Pradesh to less than 15 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
Geology:
- Formed primarily by conglomerates of sand, stone, silt, and gravel.
- Initially, these conglomerates obstructed river courses, forming temporary lakes that eventually became duns or doons.
- Dehra Dun in Uttarakhand is a notable example of such formations.
Flora and Fauna:
- The eastern parts of the Shiwaliks are densely forested, but forest cover decreases westward.
- The southern slopes in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh are sparsely forested and heavily dissected by seasonal streams called Chos.
Regional Names:
- Jammu Hills: Known locally as Jammu Hills.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Includes Dafla, Miri, Abor, and Mishmi Hills.
- Uttarakhand: Features the Dhang Range and Dundwa Range.
- Nepal: Includes the Churia Ghat Hills.

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Description: Also referred to as the Himachal or Lower Himalayas, this range lies between the Shiwaliks and the Greater Himalayas.
- It runs almost parallel to both.
Elevation:
- Varies between 3,500 to 4,500 meters, with some peaks exceeding 5,050 meters.
Extent:
- About 2,400 km in length and 60-80 km wide.
Topography:
- The southern slopes are steep and barren, which inhibits soil formation.
- The northern slopes are more gradual and covered in forests.
Notable Peaks:
- Includes prominent peaks such as those in the Mussoorie and Nag Tibba ranges.
Significance:
- The region is notable for its hospitable climate, making it popular for hill stations and resorts like Shimla, Mussoorie, Ranikhet, and Darjeeling.
Important Ranges:
- Pir Panjal Range: The longest and most significant range in Kashmir, extending over 300 km from the Jhelum River to the Beas River.
  - Key passes include Pir Panjal Pass, Bidil, Golabghar Pass, and Banihal Pass.
- Dhaola Dhar Range: Located in Himachal Pradesh, south of the Pir Panjal.
- Mussoorie Range: Includes the Mahabharat Lekh in southern Nepal and the eastern extension of the Mussoorie Range.
- Nag Tibba Range: Significant for its high elevations and scenic beauty.

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Description: Also known as the Inner Himalayas or Himadri, this range represents the core of the Himalayas with the highest peaks.
- Average elevation of 6,100 meters above sea level, with a width of about 25 km.
Geology:
- Composed of central crystallines like granites and gneisses, overlain by metamorphosed sediments such as limestone.
Topography:
- Characterized by asymmetrical folds with a steep southern slope and a gentle northern slope.
- Creates a hogback topography.
Significance:
- Home to some of the tallest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepal, Chomlungma in China), which stands at 8,848 meters.
Important Passes:
- Burzil Pass: Located in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Zoji La: Connecting Srinagar to Ladakh.
- Bara Lacha La: Connecting Himachal Pradesh to Leh.
- Lipu Lekh: Linking Kumaon to Tibet.
- Nathu La: Connecting Sikkim to Tibet.

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Description: These are the southward extensions of the Himalayas along the northeastern edge of India.
- Includes a series of low hills and is convex to the west.
Elevation:
- Ranges from less than 1,500 meters in the Mizo Hills to about 3,826 meters in the Naga Hills.
Topography:
- Includes a series of low hills and is convex to the west.
Significance:
- Acts as a watershed between India and Myanmar.
- Features diverse flora and fauna.
Major Ranges:
- Patkai Bum Hills: Characterized by strong sandstone formations.
- Naga Hills: Includes Saramati, the highest peak in the region.
- Barail Range: Separates the Naga Hills from the Manipur Hills.
- Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo Hills: Extend into the Indian peninsular block and are separated by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers.
- Mizo Hills: Includes Blue Mountain (2,157 meters).

Division of the Himalayas: Shiwaliks, Lesser Himalayas, Greater Himalayas, Trans-Himalayas, Eastern Hills Overview