How do Himalayas play a vital role in the economic and cultural development of India?

Himalayan Mountains lie in the north of India which runs from Indus River to Brahmaputra River in a west-east direction. The perennial river, Ganga originate from these mountains.

i. India has been trading with communities from ancient times by land routes which pass through the Himalayas. Silk route is the major route which passes through the Himalayas.

ii. They act a barrier for any attack and protects India as they are very difficult to cross.

iii. They harbour large glaciers and snowfields which feed many rivers like Ganga, Indus, etc.

iv. Being a source of many large and small rivers, they help in the deposition of fertile soil in plains which are flooded by these rivers and provides a source of livelihood.

v. Due to their high altitude, length and direction, they effectively intercept the summer monsoons coming from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea and cause precipitation in the form of rain or snow.

vi. They prevent the cold continental air masses of central Asia from entering India.

vii. They play an important role in maintaining biodiversity by harbouring millions of endemic species of plants and animals.

viii. Millions of tourists visit the Great Himalayas every year from across the world for its magnificence and beauty.

That’s why Himalayas play a vital role in the economic and cultural development of India.