Landforms play important role in understanding earths Geological Past. Scientist looked at Landform to understand Paleo Climate. However earths landforms are not found collectively at one place, they are spread at different location. For example Glacier Landforms are well developed in Northern and Southern Hemisphere, Karst Landform are mainly found in where Limestone and Domite Dominate , similarly eolian landform are well developed in Desert and so on.
Factor Affecting the Landforms
- Geology Play critical role in shaping Landforms. Like nature of Rocks, ages , reliefs, heights etc.
- Climate: We know that earth rocks are subject to various weathering forces. Like Water, Temperature ,Humidity etc continuously shape earth surface.
- Anthropogenetic factors like human activities also directly and indirectly create many new landforms.
Why Himachal Pradesh is Unique
As we already discuss , not all landforms are found at one place. But among the other Himalayan states, Himachal Pradesh has unique Geographical Position. For Example:
- All Major Himalayan Mountain Ranges Like- Shivalik, Lesser Himalaya, Greater Himalaya and Trans Himalaya Pass through its. Spiti has Transhimalya, Kullu and Kinnaur has Greater Himalaya, Shimla, Mandi , Chamba and Kangra has Lesser Himalaya and Una, Hamirpur etc has Shivalik.
- Secondly Himachal Pradesh has all major Climate zone for example- Arctic like climate is prevalent in Greater Himalaya and Trans Himalaya, Monsoon Types in Shivalik and Lesser Himalaya etc. Shivalik Hills are very well developed in Himachal Pradesh offering very unique insight to visitors.
- River system also play important role in shaping Landforms. Himachal has both antecedent and consequent streams. Both types of river produce different kind of landforms. For Example Satluj which is an antecedent river form Deep Gorges through out its path. Where as Beas which is consequent stream formed Large valley like Kullu Valley.
- This is the only State where Indus river system and Gangetic river system both are found.
- Similarly Himachal Pradesh has unique Tethyan Fossil of Spiti and Subathu, both belongs to Tethyan’s sea but both are hundreds years apart from each other in Geological History. Suketi Park in Sirmaur is other unique Geological record of Himalayan evolution.
How Other Himalayan States are Different
Other Himalayan states are Geographical Located in such a ways they Lack one or more above mention unique factors. For Example- Ladhakh has only Desert and Glaciers Landforms, Similarly Jammu and Kashmir has every thing but Trans Himalayan Desert Like feature , similarly Uttrakhand and other Himalayan states Lack all needed combination of factors.
In Uttrakhand you can find towering peak , glaciers, waterfall but you will miss the Desert landforms of Spiti, Similarly in Sikkim you will again find Greater Himalaya but Lack Desert landforms. It is does not mean that these states lack natural beauty but when it come to Geographical diversity Himachal stand apart.
How it can help in Tourism
With Proper awareness and Govt Policy we can encash this Unique Geographical Position of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh can be Projected as Living Library where students and nature lover can explore all facets of nature in Short Distance.
For example- Just Posting a Placard on Shimla ridge highlights it as water divider between Indus river system and Gangetic river system will add lot to people experience. Reader can see detail here (Geotourism in Himachal Pradesh)
How Local Landforms Help the Students
Govt should introduce local Geography at School and College Levels. If you living in Live Geological Library with live Example around, you need not to read or study examples of other places. Student can correlate each concept easily if live local example are shown. Reader can visit here for more information https://geohimachal.com/evolution-of-landform-of-himachal-pradesh-a-geographical-note/.
