CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - Government of Himachal Pradesh

DESHP
Himachal Pradesh State Strategic Statistical Plan 3
River. The Malana Valley is quite an interesting place, supposed to be the oldest
democracy in the world
The many glaciers above the snow line feed the fast flowing rivers of Himachal Pradesh.
The Beas Kund glacier near the famous Rohtang pass in Kullu is the mother of the Beas.
The other biggies are the Bara Shigri, the largest glacier in Lahaul valley, the Bhadal
Glacier, the Bhaga Glacier and the Chandra Glacier.
The major rivers criss-crossing the roughly square Himachal are Beas, Chenab, Spiti,
Sutlej, Ravi and Yamuna. The Sutlej is unique, the only river in HP to rise from beyond
the Himalayas
Himachal Pradesh is also known for its pretty-as-a-picture lakes. The Bhagsunath Lake
is perched high up on the Dauladhar range and is surrounded by oaks and conifers. There
is the Renuka Lake in Sirmaur, Khajjiar near Dalhousie, Chandra Tal (in a large glacial
depression in the Lahaul valley) and Manimahesh (with the towering Manimahesh
Kailash peak as a backdrop). As much as 66% of the land area is covered with jungles.
While the foothills and valleys are a refreshing green, the areas above the snow line are
almost bare. The southernmost tracts are dominated by sal (Shorea robusta), sisham, chir
pine, dry deciduous and moist broad-leafed forests. The temperate region above this
grows oaks, deodar, blue pine, fir and spruce. In the uppermost climes, trees are sturdy
with a vast network of roots. You’ll mostly find alders, birches, rhododendrons and
moist alpine scrubs in the name of vegetation.
Himachal is the fruit bowl of the country. After the winter snow thaws, the hillsides and
orchards bloom with wild flowers, while gladiolas, carnations, marigolds, roses,
chrysanthemums, tulips, lilies and other flowers are carefully cultivated.
Himachal is the home to a wide variety of animals. This includes the leopard, the snow
leopard, ghoral (goat-like stout animal), musk deer which is the state animal and monal
(a pretty bird in nine iridescent colours), the state bird. HP has 11 major national parks
and sanctuaries.