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Where the Earth Touches the Sky: Exploring India’s Mountains

India’s mountains are truly remarkable. From snowy peaks to lush green hills, they influence our rivers, climate, and landscapes. These natural wonders have inspired explorers, artists, and adventurers for generations. With International Mountain Day on December 11, let’s celebrate these incredible giants.

Have you ever noticed how many amazing mountain ranges stretch across India? Keep reading to find out!

What Mountain Ranges Can You Find in India?

In the south-west lie the Western Ghats, one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth. They are about 1,600 kilometres long and run through five states. These mountains are so unique that they are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are also among the world’s top biodiversity hotspots.

To the north, the Himalayas rise dramatically, forming the highest mountain range on the planet. They include nine of the ten tallest peaks in the world and are still growing a few millimetres every year because of the movement of tectonic plates. The Himalayas also capture and store enormous amounts of snow and ice, earning them the name The Water Towers of Asia.

In the east stretch the Eastern Ghats, a chain of broken, ancient hills that are older than the Himalayas themselves. They are famous for their sacred groves, medicinal plants and diverse geological formations shaped over millions of years.

India also has other fascinating mountain systems such as the Aravallis, one of the world’s oldest fold mountains, and the Satpura and Vindhya ranges, which form the rugged backbone of central India.

Mountains are like natural time machines. Their rocks hold clues to the Earth’s past, their slopes create different climates and their altitudes are home to many types of landscapes. Check out this Wild Atlas to see if you can spot India’s mountain ecosystems!

Let’s Meet the Flora and Fauna of Mighty Mountains

As elevation changes within a mountain range, the climate can vary greatly, creating different habitats. These variations determine which plants and animals can live there and influence the special adaptations they develop to survive in each unique environment.

The Himalayas are cold and snowy at higher altitudes, with icy peaks and alpine meadows. On the other hand, the lower valleys are milder. Life in the Himalayas is specially adapted to the cold. Let’s look at some examples.

The elusive snow leopard (Panthera uncia) prowls steep cliffs, using its long, bushy tail for balance and as a warm blanket when resting. Did the ghost cat make you curious? Learn more through this comic!

The rare Brahma Kamal flower (Saussurea obvallata) blooms only after sunset and just once a year, adding a magical touch to the high-altitude meadows.

Moving through the forests of North-East India, the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) nimbly climbs among the trees, feeding mostly on bamboo. And here’s a fun fact: it was named decades before the giant panda, making it the original panda!

Other creatures include the Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana) which hibernates underground through icy winters, and colourful birds like the Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus) and the lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus).

Now, let’s move onto the Western Ghats! They are warm and humid, with heavy monsoon rainfall supporting lush tropical forests. Here, life is equally fascinating. The Draco or gliding lizard (Draco dussumieri) can leap up to 60 metres between trees despite being only about 20 centimetres long.

These mountains are also home to unique amphibians. For instance, the rare purple frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis) spends most of its life underground and emerges for a few weeks during the monsoon to breed, with only around 135 known in the wild.

And on the hills, the famous Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) blooms once every 12 years, turning entire slopes a brilliant blue. Imagine waiting over a decade to see this sight!

Turning eastwards, we have the Eastern Ghats. These are milder and more seasonal with drier, fragmented forests. In these hills, elephants (Elephas maximus) roam alongside lorises, while the critically endangered and nocturnal Jerdon’s courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus), once thought extinct, hides in dense forests.

Other residents include reptiles such as the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and Indian rock python (Python molurus), as well as orchids, medicinal plants, and endemic shrubs that thrive in these scattered forests.

Celebrating and Preserving Mountains

As you now know, mountains are fascinating! However, we must not forget that they are also essential for life. They give rise to India’s major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, which provide water and support millions of people and animals.

Furthermore, their distinctive soils and cool climates help grow tea, apples, and spices. Mountains are also home to communities like the Bakarwals, Gaddis, and Bhutias, who have adapted their homes and lifestyles to the environment.

Today, climate change, deforestation, pollution, and habitat loss threaten these regions. We can help by reducing plastic, respecting wildlife, staying on trails, and supporting eco-friendly tourism, keeping mountains beautiful and full of life!

Which Doesn’t Belong? A Mountain Challenge

Armed with all these fascinating mountain facts, try the Odd One Out challenge below! See if you can spot what doesn’t belong, while exploring India’s amazing mountains.

  1. Snow Leopard, Himalayan Marmot, Purple Frog, Red Panda
  2. Draco Lizard, King Cobra, Indian Rock Python, Himalayan Monal
  3. Bakarwal, Gaddi, Bhutia, Bhil
  4. Neelakurinji, Brahma Kamal, Apples, Himalayan Oak
  5. Ganga, Cardamom, Yamuna, Brahmaputra

Answers

  1. Purple Frog: The others are Himalayan animals, while the Purple Frog is native to the Western Ghats.
  2. Himalayan Monal: The others are reptiles, while the Himalayan Monal is a bird.
  3. Bhil: The first three are Himalayan mountain communities, while Bhil is an indigenous group from central India.
  4. Apples: The others are unique mountain plants that aren’t primarily cultivated for food, while apples are grown for their produce.
  5. Cardamom: The others are rivers, while Cardamom is a spice grown in the mountains.

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