{"id":4051,"date":"2013-10-30T05:36:00","date_gmt":"2013-10-30T05:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sterlingholidays.com\/blog\/?p=4051"},"modified":"2025-04-09T13:07:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T13:07:38","slug":"the-himalayas-source-of-life-for-half-the-worlds-population","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sterlingholidays.com\/blog\/the-himalayas-source-of-life-for-half-the-worlds-population\/","title":{"rendered":"The Himalayas: Source of life for half the world\u2019s population"},"content":{"rendered":"

One look at the mighty landscape and towering snow-peaks, and we are mesmerized forever. Stunning mountains, dense temperate forests, dazzling snow that reflects the sunlight, deep alluring chasms, \u00a0winding rivers, rich varied bio-diversity and innumerable legends; all these describe the incredible Himalayas. \u00a0\u2018Hima\u2019 meaning snow and \u2018Alaya\u2019 meaning \u00a0\u2018abode\u2019 in Sanskrit, the mountains are a major part of the lives of Tibetians, Indians, Nepalis and many others who live in proximity to these grand mountains<\/p>\n

\"The

This photo \u201cThe Great Himalayas<\/a>\u201d @flickr from Karunakar Rayker
made available under an Attribution license<\/p><\/div>\n

Be it the Shivaliks (the foothills of the mountains) or the highest peaks (Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and others), the Himalayas have been an inspiration to poets, a fascination to tourists and a source of life to more than half the population on earth.<\/p>\n

A source of Livelihood<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF),\u00a0the combined drainage basin of the Himalayas is home to some 3 billion people in 18 countries, almost half the world’s population.\u00a0The mountain range is the source of 6 of Asia’s great rivers, including the Yangtze, Indus and Ganges and home to thousands of species of animals and plants. The importance of perennial rivers like Ganges and Brahmaputra is well known and billions depend on the great Himalayan basin for agriculture. . With nearly 15000 glaciers, several lakes, streams and small rivers \u00a0this range hosts the source of livelihood for countless people<\/p>\n

Bio-diversity of the Himalayan range \u2013 Flora <\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Himalayan range is a unique geographical area where rich bio-diversity exists. There is a permanent \u2018snow line\u2019 at the highest altitude which gives rise to perennial rivers like the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. The \u00a0\u00a0altitude, rainfall and soil conditions along with snow results in distinct and diverse flora and fauna.<\/p>\n

Oak forests, Pine forests, apple trees, dwarf pomegranate trees, orchids, deodar trees, blue bamboos, coral berry plants, Himalayan birches and several herbal plants are found here..<\/p>\n

Bio-diversity of the Himalayan range \u2013 Fauna<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Whether it is the elusive endangered mountain snow leopard or the unique Himalayan marmot, these majestic mountains house a number of reptiles, mammals, birds and insects like the Grey wolf, Tibetan fox, Eurasian lynx, Asian gold cat, Red \u00a0panda, Grey \u00a0languor and Wood \u00a0mouse apart from Jackdaws, Ravens, Bar-headed geese and Peacocks \u00a0which add a colorful diversity and beauty to this region.<\/p>\n

Two unique reptiles found here are the Indian Rock Python and Tibetian Spring snake.<\/p>\n

Recently, the melting of glaciers and erosion of the \u00a0soil of this mountain range has been \u00a0a reason of \u00a0worry to the entire world. Efforts to conserve the bio-diversity and ecological balance of the Himalayas have been initiated on a global scale with conservationists and scientists from various domains joining hands. It\u2019s an endeavour that will have a great impact on the future of human kind itself since it will work towards preservation of this beautiful region which is a giver of life to countless species of life, including human beings.<\/p>\n

References<\/h3>\n