"Let's discuss the Himalayas and ensure that development does not become a curse for our geo heritage.
Protecting the Himalayas and our geological treasures is of utmost importance."
The proverb 'A person reaps what they sow' is widely known. This principle also applies to the relationship between humans and nature. The way humans treat nature , nature will also respond to us in the same way. If we care for and protect the environment, it, in turn, will sustain us. However, if we exploit and harm it, we must be prepared to face the dire consequences. Human activities are largely responsible for the increasing frequency of natural disasters.
In our relentless pursuit of development, we often exploit natural resources to meet our needs.We often fail to contemplate the long-term consequences of our actions and the legacy we will leave for future generations. That's why countries worldwide are diligently working to protect their natural heritage. India, too, has initiated efforts to conserve its geo-heritage.Geo-heritage provides us with a window into the distant past, offering insights through fossils, minerals, landforms, rock formations, and more. It serves as valuable evidence of the origin and evolution of diverse life forms.
Preserving the country's geoheritage presents several challenges, but our nation's scientists are advancing with these challenges as their shield. Professor M.G. Thakkar, the Director of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) in Lucknow, along with his dedicated team, is making significant strides in this endeavor through their research. Their aim is to ensure the conservation of geological and ecological areas for future generations and to make these areas accessible to global tourists while ensuring that these pristine landscapes remain unharmed.
Professor Thakkar emphasized the significance of geo-heritage, explaining that geological heritage sites are locations that offer insights into the area's origin, the paleoclimate of a particular era, and the evolution of Earth's sciences. These sites serve as valuable resources for research, education, and the acquisition of information from a global to a regional context. All of these aspects are encompassed within the definition of geoheritage. He clarified that geo-tourism revolves around sustainable and long-term tourism, with a primary focus on scientific features. It seeks to understand the environment and cultural attributes, prioritize their conservation, and bring benefits to local communities. Within this form of tourism, visitors engage with the unique landscapes and their historical development, offering a fresh and enriching experience for those interested in the region. The Himalayas stand as an excellent example for geo-heritage studies.
Longitudinal division of the Himalaya
Professor Thakkar shared that the Himalayas are home to approximately 10,000 glaciers and the world's ten highest peaks. These majestic mountain ranges have served as a protective shield for the country for centuries. Moreover, the Himalayas play a vital role in weather and rainfall control. Their remarkable geological features, formed through the collision of two continents, render them an ideal location for studying various geological processes.The Himalayas emerged due to the ongoing collision of the Indian tectonic plate with Eurasia, a process that has persisted for millions of years.
Approximately 180 million years ago, India was not part of Asia but rather a component of a vast island that included Australia, South Africa, South America, and Antarctica – known as Gondwana Land. It later collided with Eurasia about 50 million years ago. Professor Thakkar explained that there was once a vast sea separating India and Eurasia, referred to as Tethys. When the tectonic plates of India and Eurasia collided, the sediments that had accumulated on the seafloor were uplifted, giving rise to the highest peaks of the Himalayas. This segment is often termed Tethys Himalaya. The Himalayan mountain range, extending like a garland from east to west, is often referred to as ‘Parvat Mala’.
Outer Himalaya
The Himalayas can be categorized into several regions based on their elevation. The first segment, known as the Outer Himalaya or the 'Shivalik Range,' carries a geological history of approximately 5 million years. This region has even yielded fossils of massive mammoths. The average elevation here ranges from 1500 to 1700 meters. Moving to the next stage, we encounter the Lesser Himalayas, with an average elevation of 3700 to 4500 meters.
Lesser Himalaya
Following the Lesser Himalayas, we encounter the Higher Himalayas, with heights reaching approximately 6100 meters. The Higher Himalayas encompass prominent mountain ranges such as 'Nanda Devi,' 'Karakoram,' 'Mount Everest,' and 'Dauladhar,' primarily composed of crystalline rocks, notably granite.
Higher Himalaya
Crystalline Rocks
Subsequently, we enter the Tethys Himalayas, characterized by peaks that bear the imprints of the ancient Tethys sea deposits. Beyond the Tethys Himalayas, we arrive at the Trans Himalayas situated in the Tibetan region, marking the beginning of the plateau.
Tethys Himalaya
Scientists assert that the continuous tectonic collision between India and Asia persists.
By
Parul Datt Saxena
Credit for Inputs:
Prof M.G.Thakkar
Director
Birbal Sahni Institute Of Palaeosciences ‘BSIP’, Lucknow