Hindu Kush Himalaya

SEO Title: Hindu Kush Himalaya Region: Geography, Glaciers, Rivers and Climate Change

Category: Physical Geography | Environment & Ecology | Climate Change

UPSC Notes

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) is a vast mountain region extending across parts of Central and South Asia. It contains extensive glaciers and is an important source region for major Asian rivers.

Key Pointers

  • Extends across eight countries:

    • Afghanistan

    • Bangladesh

    • Bhutan

    • China

    • India

    • Myanmar

    • Nepal

    • Pakistan

  • Contains major mountain systems and glaciers.

  • Often called the "Third Pole" because of its large concentration of snow and ice outside the polar regions.

  • Important river systems originate in or are fed by the region.

  • Provides water to a large population.

  • Highly vulnerable to:

    • Climate change

    • Glacier retreat

    • Extreme weather

    • Biodiversity loss

  • Important for India's:

    • Water security

    • Agriculture

    • Hydropower

    • Disaster management

Prelims Focus: HKH → eight countries → glaciers → Third Pole → Asian rivers.