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Difficulty: HardPhysiography and Relief Features of India

With reference to the physical geography and relief features of the Kashmir and Northwestern Himalayas, which of the following statements are correct? Select all that apply.

  1. The Kashmir Valley is a structural synclinal basin situated between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range.Answer
  2. Karewas are fluvio-lacustrine deposits of glacial clay, silt, and moraines that are extensively utilized for Zafran (saffron) cultivation.Answer
  3. C
    The Zaskar Range lies to the south of the Pir Panjal Range, separating the Kashmir Valley from the Outer Himalayas.
  4. The region encompasses both freshwater bodies like Dal and Wular lakes, as well as high-altitude brackish water bodies like Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.Answer

Answer

The correct statements are those identifying the Kashmir Valley as a synclinal basin between the Great Himalayas and Pir Panjal Range, defining Karewas as fluvio-lacustrine deposits vital for saffron farming, and noting the co-existence of freshwater lakes like Dal and Wular with high-altitude brackish lakes like Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.
The physical geography of the Kashmir Himalayas is marked by distinct morphotectonic features: the Kashmir Valley forms a synclinal basin bounded by the Pir Panjal and Great Himalayan ranges; Karewas represent Pleistocene lacustrine and glacial deposits indispensable for saffron farming; and the region contains both low-altitude freshwater lakes (Dal and Wular) and high-altitude endorheic lakes (Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the morphotectonic position of the Kashmir Valley
Confirm that the Kashmir Valley lies structurally between the Pir Panjal Range (Lesser Himalayas) and the Main Himalayan Range (Great Himalayas).
Topographic cross-sections confirm that the valley formed due to tectonic uplifting of the surrounding ranges, creating an intermontane synclinal basin.
2
Evaluate the geological nature and agricultural significance of Karewa formations
Verify that Karewas are lacustrine silt and glacial moraine terraces from the Pleistocene period.
These deposits are unique quaternary landforms of Kashmir essential for growing saffron (Zafran).
3
Examine the spatial arrangement of the North-South Himalayan ranges
Identify that the Zaskar Range is situated north of the Great Himalayas, in the Trans-Himalayan belt.
Placing Zaskar south of Pir Panjal violates the established latitudinal ordering (Outer Himalayas → Lesser Himalayas → Greater Himalayas → Trans-Himalayas).
4
Assess the hydrologic landforms of the Northwestern Himalayas
Confirm that Dal and Wular are freshwater bodies associated with the Jhelum drainage, while Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are high-elevation saline/brackish lakes in the Trans-Himalayan plateau zone.
Both types of lakes exist within the broader Kashmir and Ladakh Northwestern Himalayan physiographic region.

Key Concept

Physiographic and Morphotectonic Features of Kashmir Himalayas
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Topics

Physiography and Relief Features of India

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