Physiographic Divisions of Jammu kashmir

 Physiographic Divisions of Jammu kashmir

 The longitudinal and latitudinal extent of UTs Jammu kashmir and ladakh is 72°31’ and 80°20’ east, and 32°15’ and 37°05’North respectively. The UT of Jammu and Kashmir lies in the northern side of India, with Himachal Pradesh in the South-East, Ladakh in the East and Punjab in south-west. It is separated from Pakistan Controlled territories of Azad Kashmir by Line of control in the west and Gilgit Balochistan in the North. The total area of UT jammu and Kashmir in India is 42,241 km². The line of control which divides Kashmir into two parts is of length 776Km.

    Physiographically, the UT is divided into 5 physical divisions which are similar ti western Himalayas. The five divisions are:

1: plains

2: Foothills (shivaliks)

3: Middle Himalayas

4: Greater Himalayas

5: Valley of Kashmir

  

Plains

In the southern part of region plains are present with an average elevation of 300-350 m. These fertile lands are made by eroded bedrock material brought down by the rivers, Ravi, chenab, Tawi , Ujh. The outer plains are known as Andarwah or Bajwat and are traversed by hill streams known as Khad. In rainy season these Khads turn into gushing rivers but remain dry most of the year. Khar or Elphantine Grass are found. Rice and wheat is the major crops of these plains which are streched in the southern parts of Akhnoor, Ranbir singh pura, kathua and Samba.

  Foothills (shivaliks)

   These form the outermost range of Himalayas and are low hills with gentle slopes. Formed from younger tertiary rocks, the width of these ranges from 20-50 km and height varies from 600-1220 m. In the southern slopes of shivaliks Jammu district is located. In the east of Jammu , Mansar and surinsar lakes are 600m from sea level. Udhampur, Reasi and Mirpur are other important places. The long ridges and longitudinal valleys, called Duns are on the outer zone of shivaliks. Duns are formed by erosion of sandstones, slit and clay of the region. Due to folding and erosion activities on sedimentary rocks its inner zone has plateau and steep slope. Between Chenab and Ravi , the slope of shivaliks are called as Kandi.

 Middle Himalayas

   These Himalayas lies between ravi and poonch are also known as lesser Himalayas. The average height of this region is 3600- 4600 m . The volcanic rocks of granite, gneiss, quartz etc are found here. On the peak of Trikuta hills Vaishno devi cave is situated in this region. Rivers like Tawi, Manawar-Tawi , Basantra and ujh have their source in this region. In jammu region the average elevation of middle Himalayas is 1550-2240 m as people do cattle rearing, tourism and forest activities in this region. Pirpanjal range and Dhauladhar range are the important parts of this region.

 Pirpanjal is the Western most and longest range of this region. Its average height is 1400-4100 m. Pirpanjal separates kashmir valley from outer Himalayas . Kashmir valley is connected through natural passes in this range.

  Greater Himalayas

   The altitude of this range increases steadily towards North and lies to the North of pir panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. The average elevation of this range is 6100 m and comprises of Karakorum ranges and Zanskar Ranges.

 Zanskar Range

  In jammu and Kashmir its average height is 4500-6100m. It forms the North Eastern border of Kashmir valley and in the north , Kashmir ranges forms its part. Some peaks in zanskar range have a height of 6100 m above sea level. Suru and Zanskar rivers flow in this range. The height of this region increases to the North.

  Karakoram Range

   In the northern part of Kashmir this range lies towards the north of zanskar range. K2 the world’s 2nd highest mountain range is situated in this range. In india k2 is also called God Austin. The temperature in winter remains very cold here. Drass , one of the coldest places of world lies in this region. This range prevent the cold winds of central Asia to enter India. It is made of gneiss and granite rocks. The karakoram range and some of its surrounding ranges are called roof of the world.

  Kashmir valley.

   The valley of Kashmir lies between longitude 74° and 75° E and latitude 32° and 34° N is a bowl shaped deep basin which lies between pirpanjal and Western end of the great Himalayan ranges. The valley is 15,520.3 km² in area and 100km wide. The average height of valley is 1850m. It is filled by the sediments of alluvium and lakes deposited by the Upper Jhelum river. There are extensive elevated Plateaus of lacustrine and alluvium material in the valley which are know as karewas. Karewas are also called as wudars. These are extensively found on the left bank of river jhelum. Some of the wudars are Mattan wudar, Zainpur wudar, Nagum wudar, pampore wudar. Among these wudars pampore wudar is famous for saffron cultivation. From the south , Banihal pass is a natural way to enter the valley. The valley has beautiful places like Srinagar, Kulgam, Anatnaag, Baramula, Shopain, PULWAMA etc. Jhelum river which has its origin in verinag flows through it. Wular lake is the largest lake in valley, which is fed by Jhelum. There are aslo some side valleys which are carved from Jhelum river and its tributaries. Cultivation off maize and rice is done on valley slopes and flat lands. From the Baramula Gorge Jhelum exits the valley.

      Kashmir valley know for its beauty is called as paradise on earth.