IMPACT OF PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE HUMAN ADAPTATIONS IN THE HIMALAYA

Abstract

Despite diversites in physical landscape, climate, flora and fauna, Ianduse pattern, economic setup, racial structure and social Customs of the people, there exists a distinct geographical personality of the Himalayan realm, a personality characterised by the wonderful adaptation of its people to the rather harsh physical environment of this magnificent mountain system. As a result, the Himalaya never acts as an impediment to the growth and persistence of the rather rich and colourful human geography of the area. To facilitate geo-ecological analysis, the traditional but more discernible north-south divisions of the mountain system have been accepted with a view to identify the main elements of their morphological and other environmental personalities and trace their possible impact on the human response of the area. In many a places, the human response to environment has been found to be particularly interesting. For example, in the Sub-Himalaya, the rugged and much dissected Siwaliks do not encourage settlement or agriculture. But the valleys river river terraces provide space for cultivation, stock-raising and settlement sites. House types also vary with variations in the environment. The morpho-ecological balance of the mountain system is now being disturbed with improvement in road transport and introduction of military strategy. Some transformations have undoubtedly taken place within the Himalayan society. The traditional agriculture, for example, is gradually being supplemented with commercial horticulture, barter system being replaced by money economy and caravan routes by mountain highways. In the face of these modern innovations, the Himalayan society is. now poised between a fading past and an uncertain future.