Head Ornaments

• Sheeshphool
• Mangtika
• Suhaag Bindi
• Bandi Badi

Waist Ornaments

• Tagdi (Tigdi)

Earrings

• Murkhi or Murkh (Mudanda)
• Bali, Kundal
• Karnaphool
• Tugyal
• Gorakh
• Jhumek, Jhupajhupi
• Utraule
• Jal-Kachhnv (Water Pond)
• Machhali (Fish)

Nose Jewelery

• Nathuli, Nath
• Bulak
• Ful, Fuli

Neck Jewelery

• Guluband + Locket
• Charyo
• Hansuli (Necklet)
• Kanthimaala (Kanthi Rosary)
• Mango Garland
• Chawanimala
• Chandroli, Champakali

Hand Jewelery

• Dhaagula
• Paunchhi Pauchhe
• Ring or Gunthi
• Bangle
• Kangan, Gokhale

Foot Jewelry

• Kandwa
• Pauta
• Lachha
• Pajev
• Emirati
• Jhinvara
• Pwalya
• Toe Ring (Bichhwa) 

Johari Tibetan Tribe Jewelery

Foot Jewelry

• Puliya
• Pajamas
• Jhadtar Chhad Amrittar

Waist Ornaments

• Ataradan or Itradan
• Sye Sadla Sudie

Neck Jewelery

• Jhupiya
  Paunla
• Chanarhar
• Pachamani
• Twaad
• Mohanmala
• Sutva

Nose Ornament

• Nath (Nose Ring)
• Bulak

Earring

• Bid
• Munad
• Murki
• Bujni, Gakhar

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Soil in Uttarakhand

1. Land of Pond/River valley

• In Uttarakhand, rivers create vast fertilizer plains along their course.
• Irrigation facility is also available in these plains. Due to the fertile soil, wheat and paddy are cultivated here.
• This is a state with medium agricultural sector. And the irrigated land in Uttarakhand is called Kotlav.

2. Land of plains

• This includes the entire Terai Bhabar region. Which includes some parts of Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital.
• There is a flat and fertile plain here. And agriculture is found in the most developed state in these plains.
  
• In these areas, wheat, paddy, sugarcane and pulses crops are produced more.

3. Land with mountain slopes / uprooted

• Terrace farming is done on the mountains in Uttarakhand.
• Due to lack of irrigated land, it is called Ukhad in the local language. This agriculture is based on rain.
• Due to which production is less and uncontrolled. Therefore, at present people have left agricultural activities and engaged in other professions.
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Delhi) has called the soil of Uttarakhand as mountain or forest soil.

On the basis of soil composition, following types of soils are found in Uttarakhand –

1. Terai soil

• In the southernmost part of the state, from the southern tip of Dehradun to Udham Singh Nagar, Terai soils are found formed by the deposits of fine particles.
• Compared to other soils of the state, it is more mature and deficient in Nitrogen and Phosphorus.
• This soil is flat, marshy, moist and fertile.
• Sugarcane and paddy production is good in this area.

2. Bhabar soil

• Bhabar Soil is found north of Terai and south of Shivalik.
• Being formed from heavy deposits of Himalayan rivers, this soil is made up of pebbles, stones and coarse sand.
• The soil here is rocky and full of pebbles, due to which water goes down.
• This soil is unsuitable for agriculture.
• Due to lack of water it is infertile.

3. Pasture Soil

• Such soils are found in low lying areas near water streams and in the coastal areas of rivers and other water flows.
• This soil can be divided into the following five parts –
  1. Matiyar Loam (brown color, more Nitrogen and organic matter and less lime)
  2. Highly Calcareous Loam
  3. Low Calcareous Loam
  4. Non Calcareous Loam
  5. Sandy Loam

4. Tertiary soil

• This soil is found in Shivalik hills and Doon valleys which is light, sandy and porous i.e. it holds less moisture.
• The quantity of vegetation and organic matter is less in it. But the soil of Doon Valley has more vegetation content and more capacity to hold moisture as compared to other areas.
• It is found in Shivalik and Doon valley.

5. Quartz Soil

• This soil is found in Bhimtal area of Nainital.
• It has been formed by the splitting of rocks like schist, shale, quartz etc. formed in the Cretaceous era of Proto, Paleo and Middle Kalpa.
• This soil is light and infertile.
• It is called quartz soil.

6. Volcanic Soil

• This soil is found in Bhimtal area of Nainital district.
• This soil, formed by the splitting of igneous rocks, is light and sandy and is suitable for agriculture.
• This type of soil is called volcanic soil.

7. Loamy soil

• Easily available in the lower slopes of the Shivalik Hills and the Doon Valley, this soil is slightly greasy and contains lime, iron particles and organic matter.
• Loamy soil is found in Doon Valley.
• It contains abundance of Lime and Iron content.

8. Brown Red Yellow Soil

• This soil made of lime and sandstone, shale and dolomite rocks is found near Nainital, Mansoori and Chakrauta.
• Its color is brown, red or yellow.
• This happens with surface rocks and botanical remains.
• This soil is more moisture sensitive and fertile.

9. Red soil

• This soil is mostly found on the slopes of mountains or on the sides of mountains.
• This soil is unorganized.

10. Brown soil of forests

• Brown soil of forest is found in most of the forest parts of Uttarakhand.
• It has abundance of organic elements and deficiency of lime and phosphorus.

11. Ashy soil

• This soil is found in less sloping places, areas of mountain ranges and sub-tropical and temperate areas.

12. Highest mountain shallow soil

• This soil is found in high hilly areas with less rainfall.
• Due to extreme dryness and lack of vegetation it is completely immature.
• Its layer is thin.

13. High Plains Soil

• This soil is generally found at an altitude of more than 4000 km.
• Due to the effect of dry climate, wind weathering and glacial erosion, there is often lack of moisture in these soils.
• It is mildly alkaline and contains high amounts of organic matter.
• Due to the mixture of rock fragments and other polluted substances, there is variation in the formation and structure of this soil.
• These are also called alpine pastures soils.

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Dialects of Kumaon Division

1. Askoti  –  The dialects spoken under Askot  in the north-east of the Sera region in  Pithoragarh district are called Askoti. This dialect is heavily influenced by the mixed dialects Serali, Nepali and Johari. 
2. Sirali  –  In the Sirali  region, the Sira dialect is called Sirali. The area west of Askot and east of Gangoli is  called Sira.
3. Soryali  –  The dialect  of  Sor pargana of Pithoragarh district  is Soryali.
4. Kumayyan  –  Kali is the dialect spoken under the Kumaon region,   the influence of this dialect is up to Panar  and  Saryu in the north,  Kali in the east ,  Devidura in the west  and  Tanakpur in the south .
5. Gangoli  –   This dialect, spoken  under Gangolihat,  is influenced by this dialect till Danpur in the west,  Saryu in the south,  Ramganga in the north  and  Tire in the east .
6. Danpuria  –  This dialect  of  Danpur Pargana of Almora district  is called Danpuria.
7. Chaugarkhriya  –  Kali is spoken from the north-west of Kumaon to  the  west  of  Barmandal Pargana in the west  .
8. Khasparjia  –  Spoken  under  Barmandal Pargana of Almora  .
9. Pachhai  – Under the Pali region of Almora district,   this dialect  is affected up to Faldkot, Ranikhet, Dwarhat, Masi and Chaukhutia  .
10. Rau-Choubhensi  –   This dialect is spoken in  the  Rau  and  Chaubhensi region of North-Eastern Nainital district .

Dialects of Garhwal Division

1. Badhani  –  Spoken in the region between Pindar and Alaknanda river.
2. Manjh Kumaiyan  –  In this dialect, the  word Kumaon is also mixed with many words  .
3. Srinagari  –  This type of dialect is spoken  in the areas near Pauri Deval under the ancient capital of Garhwali,  Srinagar.
4. Salani  –   This dialect is called Salani under the Salan region .
5. Nagpuria  –   This dialect is called Nagpuria in the areas falling under Nagpur belt of Chamoli district.
6. Gangparia  –   This dialect is spoken under the Tehri region .
7. Lohabya  –  This dialect has influence in the areas of Lohab Patti, Khansar and Gairsain, adjacent to Rath.
8. Rathi  –  The areas adjoining the Kumaon border, Dudhatoli, Vinsar and Thalisain etc. are called Raths. Under these regions this dialect is called Rathi.
9. Dasaulya  –  This dialect is called Dasaulya in Dasoli area under Nagpur belt.

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Here we will know about all the districts of Uttarakhand in brief.

Almora 

• Formation – 1891
• Area – 3,139 sq. km.
• Population – 6,22,506
• Tehsil – 12 (Almora, Bhikiasain, Ranikhet, Dhaulachina, Syalde, Jaiti, Bhanouli, Dwarahat, Someshwar, Chaukhutia, Salt, Jalli)
• Block – 11 (Tadikhet, Bhikiyasain, Lamgada, Dhaula Devi, Syalde, Bhasiyachhana, Hawalbagh, Dwarahat, Takula, Chaukhutia, Salt)

Bageshwar

• Formation – 15^th September, 1997
• Area – 2,246 sq. km.
• Population – 259,840
• Tehsil – 6 (Bageshwar, Kapkot, Garuda, Kanda, Duganakuri, Kafligair)
• Block – 3 (Bageshwar, Kapkot, Garuda)

Chamoli

• Formation – 1960
• Area – 8,030 sq. km.
• Population – 3,91,605
• Tehsil – 12 (Chamoli, Joshimath, Pokhri, Karanprayag, Gairsain, Tharali, Dewal, Narayanbagar, Adi Badri, Jilasu, Nandprayag, Ghat)
• Block – 9 (Dasholi (Chamoli), Joshimath, Ghat, Pokhari, Karanprayag, Gairsain, Narayanbagar, Thrali, Dewal)

Champawat

• Formation – 15^th September, 1997
• Area – 1,766 sq. km.
• Population – 2,59,648
• Tehsil – 5 (Champawat, Pati, Poornagiri, Lohaghat, Barakot)
• Block – 4 (Champawat, Lohaghat, Barakot, Pati)

Dehradun

• Formation – 1817
• Area – 3,088 sq. km.
• Population – 1,696,694
• Tehsils – 7 (Chakrata, Vikasnagar, Dehradun Sadar, Rishikesh, Tyuni, Doiwala, Kalsi)
• Block – 6 (Chakrata, Raipur, Sahaspur, Doiwala, Kalsi, Vikasnagar)

Haridwar

• Formation – 28th December 1988
• Area – 2,360 sq. km.
• Population – 18,90,422
• Tehsil – 4 (Haridwar, Roorkee, Bhagwanapur, Laksar)
• Block – 6 (Roorkee, Bhagwanapur, Laksar, Narsan, Bahadurabad, Khanpur)

Nainital

• Formation – 1891
• Area – 4,251 sq. km.
  Population – 9,54,605
• Tehsil – 9 (Nainital, Haldwani, Ramnagar, Kaladhungi, Lalkuwan, Dhari, Khanshyu, Kosiyakutoli, Betalghat)
• Block – 8 (Haldwani, Bhimtal, Ramnagar, Kotabag, Dhari, Betalghat, Ramgarh, Okhalkanda)

Pauri Garhwal

• Formation – 1840
• Area – 5,230 sq. km.
• Population – 6,87,271
• Tehsil – 13 (Pauri, Chobattakhal, Srinagar, Lansdowne, Satpuli, Jakhanikhal, Rikhnikhal, Kotdwar, Yamkeshwar, Thalisain, Chakisain, Bironkhal, Dhumakot)
• Block – 15 (Pauri, Kot, Kaljikhal, Khirsu, Pabo, Thalisain, Bironkhal, Nanidanda, Ekeshwar, Pokhra, Rikhnikhal, Jaiharikhal, Dwarikhal, Dugadda, Yamkeshwar)

Pithoragarh

• Formation – 1960
• Area – 7,090 sq. km.
• Population – 4,83,439
• Tehsil – 13 (Pithoragarh, Didihat, Gangolihat, Berinag, Dharchula, Munsyari, Kanalichina, Devalthal, Ganai, Gangoli, Bangapani, Thal, Tejam, Pankhu)
• Block – 8 (Bin, Munakot, Didihat, Kanalichina, Dharchula, Munsyari, Gangolihat, Berinag)

Rudraprayag

• Formation – 16^th September, 1997
• Area – 1,984 sq. km.
• Population – 2,42,285
• Tehsil – 4 (Rudraprayag, Jakholi, Ukhimath, Basukedar)
• Block – 3 (Agustyamuni, Jakholi, Ukhimath)

Tehri Garhwal

• Formation – 1 August, 1949
• Area – 3,642 sq. km.
• Population – 6,18,931
• Tehsil – 12 (Tehri, Narendra Nagar, Pratapnagar, Devprayag, Ghansali, Jakhanidhar, Dhanaulti, Kandisaur, Gaja, Nainabagh, Kirtinagar, Balganga)
• Block – 9 (Fakot (Narendranagar), Chamba, Jaunpur, Thauldhar, Pratapnagar, Jakhanidhar, Hindolakhal, Kirtinagar, Bhilangna)

Udham Singh Nagar

• Formation – 30^th September, 1995
• Area – 2,542 sq. km.
• Population – 17,98,194
• Tehsil – 8 (Kashipur, Gadarpur, Jaspur, Khatima, Kichha, Sitarganj, Bajpur, Rudrapur)
• Block – 7 (Jaspur, Khatima, Sitarganj, Kashipur, Rudrapur, Bajpur, Gadarpur)

Uttarkashi

• Formation – 24 February, 1960
• Area – 8,016 sq. km.
• Population – 3,30,090
• Tehsil – 6 (Bhatwadi, Dunda, Chinyalisaud, Naugaon, Purola, Mori)
• Block – 6 (Bhatwadi, Dunda, Chinyalisaud, Badkot, PurolaMori)

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Mahasu Devta Temple is located on the Tuini-Mori road at Hanol in Uttarakhand. It is an ancient temple of Mahasu Devta built in 9th century. The temple was initially constructed in Huna architectural style initially but, over the  ages, acquired a mixed style. The stone built classical sanctum sanctorum has one bronze image. Those in front row from left to right are images of Chalda Mahasu (the Mahasu who keeps on moving), Devladli Devi (mother of Mahasu Devta), Kapala Bir (one of the four birs (attendants) of Mahasu Devta), and Shedkuliya (the attendant who emits the whistling sound). Behind them are Pavasi Devta, Kailu (a bir), Natari (polyandrous wife of four Mahasu brothers). All the face images are seated in the middle of a small bronze image which is regarded as Botha Mahasu. Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple sikhara is adorned with sculptures of various Devas and Asuras depicting the Samudramanthan. The temple sculptures of Uttarakhand are simple and depict the North Indian style of stone carving. Images are either made of bronze or black stone. 

Garhwal School of Painting

Garhwal was always considered a safe haven for wanderers, adventurers, political exiles, philosophical thinkers and nature lovers. About the middle of the 17th century A.D. Suleman Shikoh, a Mughal Prince, took refuge in Garhwal. The Prince brought along with him an artist and his son who were his court painters and well versed in the Mughal style of Miniature Painting. After nineteen months, the Prince left Garhwal but his court painters, enchanted by the environs, stayed behind. These painters settled in Srinagar (Garhwal), the then capital of the Pawar dynasty and introduced the Mughal style of painting in Garhwal. With the passage of time, the successors of these original masters became expert painters and also developed an original style of their own. This style later on came to be known as the Garhwal School of Painting.

About a century later, a famous painter, Mola Ram, developed a style of painting equaled in romantic charm only by few other styles of painting. He was not only a great master of the Garhwal School but also a great poet of his time. We find beautiful poems in some of Mola Ram’s paintings. There are definite influences of other Pahari Schools reflected in these paintings, but the overall originality of the Garhwal School is maintained. Special features of the Garhwal School include beautiful women with fully developed breasts, thin waist line, soft oval shaped face, delicate brow and thin nose with defined nose bridge. A poet cum artist Mola Ram was undoubtedly an exceptional personality of his age, for, he wrote poems, made notes on natural history, collected data and painted a diverse range of subjects. The matrimonial alliance of King Pradhyuman Shah (1797-1804 AD) with a Guler Princess of Kangra induced many Guler artists to come and reside in Garhwal. Their technique greatly influenced the Garhwal style of painting. With the conceptualisation of ideal beauty, its fusion of religion and romance, its blending of poetry and passion, the paintings of Garhwal are an embodiment of the Indian attitude towards love.

We know the names of various painters of that period. Shyam Das and Har Das were first in the family tree, probably being the first to come to Garhwal with Prince Suleman. Hiralal, Mangat Ram, Molaram, Jwalaram, Tejram, Brijnath were some of the great masters of this school of art. The masterpieces of the Garhwal School of Painting include the illustrations of Ramayana (1780 A.D.) Celebrations of Balarama’s birthday (1780 A D), Series of Raginis, Shiva and Parvati, Utkat Nayika, Abhisarika Nayika, Krishna painting the feet of Radha Radha looking into a mirror, Varsha Vihar Kaliya Daman, Illustrations of Gita Govinda. Rich collections of these paintings are displayed at the University Museum in Srinagar, Garhwal, along with many sculptures and finds from archaeo logical excavations. 

Dekara :- Special images of Gods and Goddesses were made, since idol worship played an important role in the lives of the inhabitants of Garhwal. Dekaras are the clay images of Gods and Goddesses either in relief or in three
dimensional form and are meant solely for worship. They are prepared out of fine clay mixed with Colour

Aipan :- Aipan is one of the traditional art (painting form) of Kumaon. It has great social, cultural and religious significance. Aipans are known by different names and is in popular in many parts of India with larger variations. It is called Alpana in Bengal, Satiya in Gujrat, Rangoli in Maharashtra, Chowk pooran in UP, Kolam in south India, Madne in Rajasthan, Arichan in Bihar and Bhuggul in Andhra.

In Uttarakhand, aipan are popularly drawn at places of worship, houses, and main entry doors of house and in front courtyard. Some of these artistic creations have great religious importance and these are drawn during particular religious ceremonies or auspicious occasions such as marriages, Threading ceremony, naming ceremony etc. to perform rituals while others are for particular God / Goddess and a few for aesthetic look.

This art is carried over generation by generations and mothers pass it on to their daughters and daughter in laws. However, with the wind of modernization blowing, this art is depleting fast. Our younger generation, born and brought up in cities outside Uttarakhand might not be familiar with it. As a humble attempt to spread awareness of our cultural heritage does not get eliminated in the wind of modernization, I have collected information from various sources and posted here for the benefit of everyone. Traditional Aipan The traditional aipan of Kumaon are drawn in linear art, geometrical designs, Flowers or imprints. These are mostly drawn for decorative purpose. 

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Himalaya

Uttarakhand is a state of immense natural beauty, boasting some major hills that contribute much to rendering tourism, the source of revenue in the state. The northern areas comprise part of the Greater Himalayan ranges, shrouded by lofty Himalayan peaks and glaciers, whereas the lower foothills were thickly forested till deforested by British log traders and forest contractors in the post independence period. The major hills are regularly visited by tourists from all over the country.

The Himalayas, or Himalaya, Sanskrit word meaning (“abode of the snow”) is a mountain range in South Asia which separates the Indo-Gangetic Plain from the Tibetan Plateau. This range is home to more than one hundred mountains exceeding 7,200 metres (23,600 ft) in altitude, and all of the planet’s peaks exceeding 8,000 metres, including the highest, Mount Everest. The Himalayas have profoundly shaped the cultures of South Asia. Many Himalayan peaks are sacred in both Buddhism and Hinduism. The Himalayas are bordered on the north by the Tibetan Plateau, on the south by the Indo-Gangetic Plain, on the northwest by the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, and on the east by the Indian state of Assam. The western anchor of the Himalayas — Nanga Parbat — lies just south of the northernmost bend of the Indus River, while the eastern anchor — Namcha Barwa — is situated just west of the great bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River.

The Himalayas span five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan, with the first three countries having sovereignty over most of the range. Lifted by the collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian Plate, the Himalayan range runs northwest to southeast in a 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi) long arc. The range varies in width from 400 Kilometres (250 mi) in the west to 150 Kilometres (93 mi) in the east. Besides the Greater Himalayas, there are several parallel lower ranges. The southernmost of these, located along the northern edge of the Indian plains and reaching about a thousand meters in altitude, are called the Sivalik Hills. Further north is a higher range, reaching two to three thousand meters, known as the Lower Himalayan Range. Three of the world’s major rivers — the Indus, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra arise in the Himalayas. While the Indus and the Brahmaputra rise near Mount Kailash in Tibet, the Ganges rises in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Their combined drainage basin is home to some 600 million people. So, Uttarakhand is also called as the “Land of the Gods” is one of the most beautiful state in India, very well known for its Himalayan Mountain Peaks, natural beauty and Terai, The marshy grasslands, savannas and forests of the Himalaya. Uttarakhand has some of the tallest and most beautiful peaks of the great Himalayas in India, Many Himalaya mountain peaks of Uttarakhand are unclimbed and unnamed are situated in the Karakoram ranges, Garhwal and
Kumaon Himalayas. The major hills of Uttarakhand Himalaya:  – 

• Nanda Devi :-  The Nanda Devi is the second highest mountain peak in India and highest entirely within the country. Nanda Devi main summit is 7,816 m (25,643 ft) high located at Chamoli District and Nanda Devi East is 7,434 m (24,390 ft) high in Pithoragarh-Chamoli. The peak of Nanda Devi is a national park known as Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park at northwest.

• Kamet :- Kamet is the second tallest mountain in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand in the Chamoli District, It is 29th highest mountain peak in the world and 3rd highest mountain in Indian Territory.
  

• AbiGamin :- Abi Gamin Mountain peak is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and very famous for Joshimath Trek. Joshimath is gateway to several Himalayan mountain climbing expeditions, trekking trails and pilgrim centers.

• Mana Peak :- Mana Peak is one of the three Himalayan peaks linked by a ridge, Kamet, Abi Gamin and Mukut Parbat being other. Badrinath the land of God Shiva offers amazing view of the Mana Peak.

• Mukut Parbat :- The Mukut Parbat is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas, It is the four main peaks of the Kamet group known as (Kamet, Abi Gamin, Mukut Parbat, Mana). Mukut Parbat is well famous peak in the Uttarakhand.

• Hardeol : The Temple of God or Hardeol is situated in Kumaon Himalaya and known as one of the major peaks of Pithoragarh district. Hardeol is guarding the Nanda Devi Sanctuary from the northeast corner.

• Chaukhamba – I :- Chaukhamba I is the main summit and the highest peak in the Gangotri Group of the Garhwal Himalaya, It has four mountain summits other are known as Chaukhamba II, Chaukhamba III and Chaukhamba IV.

• Satopanth :- Satopanth mountain peak is major peak of the Garhwal division of the Himalayas and very famous for its Satopanth Glacier, Satopanth Tal or Satopanth Lake. Garhwal region is very famous for its amazing snow-capped peaks.

• Tirsuli :- Tirsuli is one of the top 10 highest Himalayan mountain peak of Uttarakhand, situated in the Pithoragarh district of Kumaon region. It is part of the complex Greater Himalaya Mountains.

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Geographic Properties of Uttarakhand

The state is divided into two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon, with a total of 13 districts. The interim capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun, the largest city in the region, which is a railhead. The geography of Uttarakhand reveals that it is surrounded by Himachal Pradesh in the north-west and Uttar Pradesh in the south and shares its international borders with Nepal and China. The state is quite rich in natural resources.The well known Himalayan peaks of Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Trishul, Bandarpunch and Mt Kamet and the important glaciers like Gangotri, Pindari, Milam and Khatling are situated in Uttarakhand. The Ganga, the Yamuna, Ramganga and Sharda are rivers contributing to the geography of this region. The state of Uttarakhand covers twelve prominent ecological zones of the country. These are :-

• Nanda Devi National Park
• Valley of Flowers
• Gangotri
• Govind National Park
• Rajaji National Park
• Kedarnath
• Mussoorie
• Binsar
• Sanadi
• Govind sanctuary
• Ascod sanctuary

The key factor of the above division is :-

• All these divisions support many rare plants and animal communities.
• Uttarakhand is one of the most picturesque areas of north India (and beyond). It is a land of considerable natural beauty. The northern part of the state of Uttarakhand is shrouded by Himalayan ranges and glaciers, whereas the lower parts of the state are thickly forested. The Himalayan ecosystem plays host to a large number of animals, plants and rare herbs.
• The geography of Uttarakhand makes it an ideal place for hiking, walking or trekking. You will find several frequented trails, several among them even well documented. Besides, you can also take advantage of the long and solitary walks through fields, hills and mountains.
• Two of India’s biggest rivers, the Ganga (Ganges) and the Yamuna originate in the glaciers of Uttarakhand and are supplied with water on a perennial basis by numerous lakes, glaciers and many streams in the region. The geography of Uttarakhand is such that it has been usually divided into two parts, the western half known as Garhwal and the eastern region as Kumaon. The source of the word Uttarakhand is the Sanskrit term for North Country.

Uttarakhand has a total area of 53,484 km², of which 93% is mountainous and 65% is covered by forest. Most of the northern part of the state is covered by high Himalayan peaks and glaciers. In the first half of the nineteenth century, the expanding development of Indian roads, railways and other physical infrastructure was giving rise to concerns over indiscriminate logging, particularly in the Himalaya. Two of the most important rivers in Hinduism originate in the region, the Ganga at Gangotri and the Yamuna at Yamunotri. These two along with Badrinath and Kedarnath form the Chota Char Dham, a holy pilgrimage for the Hindus. The state hosts the Bengal tiger Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest national park of the Indian subcontinent. The Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the upper expanses of Bhyundar Ganga near Joshimath in Gharwal region, is known for the variety and rarity of its flowers and plants.

One who raised this was Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, who visited the region. As a consequence, Lord Dalhousie issued the Indian Forest Charter in 1855, reversing the previous laissez-faire policy. The following Indian Forest Act of 1878 put Indian forestry on a solid scientific basis. A direct consequence was the founding of the Imperial Forest School at Dehradun by Dietrich Brandis in 1878. Renamed the ‘Imperial Forest Research Institute’ in 1906, it is now known as the Forest Research Institute (India). The model “Forest Circles” around Dehradun, used for training, demonstration and scientific measurements, had a lasting positive influence on the forests and ecology of the region. The Himalayan ecosystem provides habitat for many animals (including bharal, snow leopards, leopards and tigers), plants, and rare herbs. Two of India’s largest rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna, originate in the glaciers of Uttarakhand, where they are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams.

Uttarakhand lies on the southern slope of the Himalaya range, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to subtropical forests at the lower elevations. The highest elevations
are covered by ice and bare rock. Below them, between 3,000 and 5,000 metres (9,800 and 16,400 ft) are the western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows. The temperate western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests grow just below the tree line. At 3,000 to 2,600 metres (9,800 to 8,500 ft) elevation they transition to the temperate western Himalayan broadleaf forests, which lie in a belt from 2,600 to 1,500 metres (8,500 to 4,900 ft) elevation. Below 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) elevation lie the Himalayan subtropical pine forests. The Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests and the drier Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands cover the lowlands along the Uttar Pradesh border in a belt locally known as Bhabhar. These lowland forests have mostly been cleared for agriculture, but a few
pockets remain

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