Uttarakhand

State Civil Services

Uttarakhand Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Examination

Volume - 6

Uttarakhand General knowledge

 Table of Content
S Page
Chapter Title
No. No.

1 Location and Extent 1

2 Physiographic Division of Uttarakhand 7

3 Relief Features of Uttarakhand 17

4 Drainage System of Uttarakhand 25

5 Soil 41

6 Natural Vegetation of Uttarakhand 43

7 Wildlife of Uttarakhand and Their Conservation 49

8 Climate of Uttarakhand 57

9 Agriculture and Allied Sector in Uttarakhand 62

10 Mineral Resources of Uttarakhand 77

11 Energy and Hydroelectricity 81

12 Transport and Communication 89

13 Demographic Profile Population and Census 99

14 Tourism and Major Tourist Destinations in Uttarakhand 106

15 Industries in Uttarakhand 116

16 Patterns of Rural Settlement in Uttarakhand 127

17 Urban Settlements in Uttarakhand 131

18 Human Development in Uttarakhand 134

19 Sources of History of Uttarakhand 140

20 Pre-Historic Period in Uttarakhand 143

21 Proto Historic Period of Uttarakhand 147

22 Ancient Tribes of Uttarakhand 150

23 Ancient Dynasties of Uttarakhand 154

 Table of Content
S Page
Chapter Title
No. No.

24 Medieval History of Uttarakhand 161

25 Parmar (Panwar) Or Shah Dynasty Rule in Garhwal 166

26 Chand Rule in Kumaun 174

27 Gorkha Rule in Uttarakhand (Kumaon and Garhwal) 184

28 British Rule in Uttarakhand 189

29 Tehri Dynasty and Tehri Freedom Movement 194

30 Role of Uttarakhand in The National Movement 197

31 Statehood Movement of Uttarakhand 203

32 Various Popular Peoples Movement in Uttarakhand 210

33 Basic Information of Uttarakhand Polity 215

34 Uttarakhand : Executive 220

35 Uttarakhand : Legislature 227

36 Uttarakhand : Judiciary 232

37 Local Self Government 241

38 Constitutional Bodies of Uttarakhand 255

39 Non-Constitutional Bodies of Uttarakhand 261

40 Important Recent Legislations of Uttarakhand 276

41 Important Personalities of Uttarakhand 278

 1 Location and Extent
CHAPTER

A.
Fact Details
Formation of Uttarakhand 9th Nov 2000
Name change to Uttarakhand 1st Jan 2007
Area of Uttarakhand 53,483 km²
Percentage of India’s area 1.69%

B.

State Symbol Details

Animal Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus Chrysogaster)
Bird Monal
Tree Buransh (Rhododendron)
Flower Brahma Kamal (Saussurea Obvallata)
Game Football (from 2011)
Butterfly Common Peacock (from 2016)
Instrument Dhol or Drum (from 2015)

1
C.
➢ Uttarakhand shares its boundaries with two countries: China (Tibet) and Nepal
✓ Total districts having international border: 5
✓ 3 Districts shares border with China (345 km): Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh.
✓ 3 Districts shares border with Nepal (275 km): Pithoragarh, Champawat, Udham Singh
Nagar.
✓ The Mahakali River (Kali Ganga) demarcates Nepal’s western border with India. This
boundary was established by the Treaty of Sugauli (1816).

➢ Uttarakhand shares its boundaries with two states: Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
✓ Total districts having inter-state border: 6
✓ 2 Districts shares border with Himachal Pradesh: Uttarkashi and Dehradun.
✓ 5 Districts shares border with Uttar Pradesh: Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Nainital, and
Udham Singh Nagar.
2
➢ District that shares boundaries with largest number of other districts of Uttarakhand: Pauri
(Shares boundaries with 7 districts of Uttarakhand).
➢ District with two international boundaries: Pithoragarh (China and Nepal).
➢ Districts that do not have boundaries with other states or countries: Four Districts (Tihri,
Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, and Almora).
➢ Area-wise largest district: Chamoli.
➢ Area-wise smallest district:
Champawat.
➢ Highest peak of Uttarakhand: Nanda
Devi (7,816 meters).
➢ Longest river of Uttarakhand: Kali
River.
➢ Largest bugyal of Uttarakhand: Ali
Bedni Bugyal (Chamoli district).

3
 ✓ Total Forest Cover: 24,305 km2 (45.44% of total area)
■ Very dense forest: 5,055 km2
■ Moderately dense forest: 12,768 km2
➢ Open forest: 6,482 km2

D.
1. State Animal - Musk Deer (Kasturi Mrig - Moschus chrysogaster):
➢ Habitat: Found in the Himalayas at altitudes above
2500 m.
➢ Physical Description: A primitive deer species
(Family: Moschidae, Genus: Moschus).
➢ Unique Feature: Male secretes musk from abdominal
glands (30-45g per deer, valued at $65-75 per gram).
➢ Uses: Musk is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and
medicines.
4
➢ Threats: Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Illegal poaching is a major threat.
➢ Behavior: Lives solitarily, mates in November-December. Feeds on oak, bamboo leaves, and
herbs.
➢ Conservation Efforts: Includes captive breeding centers and protected areas like Askot Musk
Deer Park (Pithoragarh).

2. State Bird - Monal (Lophophorous impejanus):

➢ Habitat: Found at 8,000-15,000 ft in the Himalayas. Also known
as the Himalayan Peacock, the male has vibrant plumage.
➢ Behavior: Lives in high altitudes, descends during snow.
➢ Threats: Faces poaching threats.
➢ Distribution: Also found in Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir,
Nepal, and Pakistan.
➢ Diet: Feeds on algae, herbs, and potatoes.
➢ Reproduction: Lays up to 4 eggs.
➢ Conservation: Protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

3. State Tree - Buransh (Rhododendron):

➢ Habitat: Grows at altitudes of 5,000-11,000 ft in the
Himalayan region.
➢ Description: Known for vibrant red flowers, also called
"Flame of the Forest."
➢ Uses: Medicinal use in Ayurveda for heart ailments and
high blood pressure.
➢ Threats: Faces dangers from deforestation.
➢ Conservation Efforts: Includes tissue culture and plantation drives.

4. State Flower - Brahm Kamal (Saussurea obvallata):

➢ Habitat: Found at altitudes of 3,500-5,500m on rocky
terrains in the Greater Himalayas.
➢ Cultural Significance: Sacred to Lord Brahma, used in rituals
and festivals such as the Nanda Devi Yatra.
➢ Medicinal Uses: Treats bruises, joint pain, and abdominal
problems.

5
5. Insignia of Uttarakhand
➢ Design: The state insignia features the Ashoka Pillar atop a range
of three mountain peaks, with four waves of the Ganga River at the
base.
➢ Purpose: It serves as the official emblem for all government
documents of Uttarakhand.

6
 2 Physiographic Division of
CHAPTER Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is the 27th state of the Republic of India that consists of two main geographical
regions: the Himalayan region (covering 86.07% of the state) and the Plains region (covering
13.97%). The Plains region includes three districts: Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar.
The remaining 10 districts of the state are part of the Himalayan region. The state's diverse
physiography plays a key role in its ecological and cultural landscape.

Physiographically, Uttarakhand can be divided into the following seven categories:

7
1. Trans Himalayas:
➢ Location: The Trans Himalayas lie to the north of the Great Himalayas.
➢ Width: approximately 25 to 35 kilometers.
➢ Altitude: It lies at an elevation of 2,500 to 3,500 meters above mean sea level (MSL).
➢ Snow Cover: This region experiences thin snow cover, as it is located in the rain shadow
region of the Great Himalayas, receiving less precipitation.
➢ This region is made up of extensive valleys across the main Himalayan region.
➢ Important Passes in this region such as- Thag La, Muning La, Niti, Mana, Sin La, Kingri
Bingri, Mangshya Dhura, Lipu Lekh, Darma, etc.

2. Himadri (Great Himalayas):

➢ Location: situated north of the Lesser Himalaya and south of the Trans-Himalayas.

8
 ➢ It contains the highest peaks of Uttarakhand such as- Nandadevi, Kamet, Mana, Badrinath,
Chaukhamba, Trishul, Satopanth, etc.
✓ The highest peak of Uttarakhand, i.e. Nandadevi is 7817 meters high.
➢ Width: The average width of this region is 30 to 50 kilometers.
➢ Elevation: 4,500 meters and above.
➢ Snow Coverage: The majority of this region is snow-covered year-round, primarily due to
the high precipitation (mostly snow) from monsoonal winds. In ancient texts it has been
called Himadri due to being covered with snow.
➢ Major glaciers of
Uttarakhand are found in
this region such as-
Gangotri, Yamunotri,
Bhagirathi Kharak –
Satopanth, Milam, etc.
➢ Alpine Pastures (Bugyals):
The lower regions of the
Great Himalayas feature
alpine pastures known as
Bugyals. These are also
popular tourist spots, including: are famous tourist destinations such as- The Valley of
Flowers, Ali, Bedni, Kafni, Bagji, etc.
➢ The region is generally inhabitable during winters due to extreme climate but during summers,
some communities (such as Bhotiya) inhabit these pastures and practice transhumance
along with their animals.
BUGYALS - Alpine meadows, locally known as bugyals, are an essential component of the
Himalayan ecosystem. These lush grasslands emerge at altitudes of around 3,000 meters, marking
the end of the tree line. They extend up to approximately 4,500 meters, where the snowline
begins, and vegetation becomes sparse.
ABOUT BEDNI BUGYAL - Bedni Bugyals, located in Chamoli district at 3,354 meters, is
Uttarakhand's largest bugyals. It is surrounded by peaks like Trishul and Nanda Ghunti, and
blooms with vibrant flowers in summer. It holds cultural significance due to the sacred Bedni
Gufa and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra.

9
Major Peaks of Uttarakhand (In descending order of height):
S.R Mountain Peak Height (m) District
1. Nanda Devi (West) 7817 Chamoli
2. Kamet 7756 Chamoli
3. Nanda Devi (East) 7434 Chamoli-Pithoragarh
4. Mana 7272 Chamoli
5. Badrinath 7140 Chamoli
6. Chaukhamba 7138 Chamoli
7. Trishula 7120 Chamoli
8. Satopanth 7084 Chamoli

3. Himachal (Middle/Lower/Lesser Himalayas):

➢ Location: The Middle Himalayas lies north of the Shivalik ranges and south of the Great
Himalayas.

➢ Width: between 70 to 100 km.

➢ Elevation: ranges from 1,200 to 4,500 meters above mean sea level (MSL).
➢ The Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) separates the Himachal region from the Shivalik region.
➢ One of the unique features of this region is the absence of fossils because these mountain
ranges are formed by folded and metamorphic rocks.
➢ The slopes on the northern side of this range are steep, while the southern slopes are
gentle. Due to a heavy monsoonal rainfall over southern slopes (160 to 200 cm), this region
is abundantly forested with Banj, Burans, Chir, Deodar, Fir, etc. as some of the main varieties.
10
 ➢ This region is home to several famous hill stations of Uttarakhand such as- Ranikhet,
Nainital, Mussoorie, Binsar, Laaltibba, etc.
➢ In Kumaun region, the southern parts of the Middle Himalayas have several lakes which
offer unique tourist attractions such as- Nainital, Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiyatal, Sukhatal,
Khurpatal, Sariyatal, etc.
➢ Rich in minerals: Copper (Almora, Pauri), asbestos, graphite, gypsum, magnesite.

A fault line is a fracture (crack) or zone of fractures in the Earth's crust along which there
has been displacement of the rocks on either side. These fractures typically occur due to
tectonic forces caused by plate movements, resulting in stresses that the crust cannot withstand.
Fault lines are often associated with earthquakes as the release of energy along these lines causes
the ground to shake. Faults are classified into various types based on the directions of the slips
among their rocks:
A. Strike-slip faults are the fault lines resulting as a movement of rocks in a horizontal
direction, involving little or no vertical movement. Example: San Andreas Fault.
B. Normal faults are fault lines where the crust moves apart along the fault line, creating a void
in between. Example: The East African Rift Zone.
C. Reverse faults result from blocks of crust sliding above each other rather than separating
from each other. Such faults often lead to orogeny (the shaping of the earth's crust through
tectonic activity), such as the creation of mountain ranges like the Himalayas.

FAULTS LINES IN UTTARAKHAND - The three major fault lines in Uttarakhand are the Himalayan
Frontal Fault (HFF), Main Boundary Thrust (MBT), and the Main Central Thrust (MCT):
1. Himalayan Frontal Fault (HFF) A series of reverse faults that run parallel to the Shivalik
range and mark the boundary between the Shivalik and the Indo-Gangetic plains.
2. Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) Runs parallel to the foot of the lower Himalayas and separates
the outer Himalayas (Shiwalik) from the Middle Himalayas. It is a prominent fault line
responsible for the uplift and folding of the Shivalik ranges.

11
3. Main Central Thrust (MCT) Runs parallel to the Himalayan range and separates the Greater
Himalayas from the Middle Himalayas. MCT passes through several important locations in
Uttarakhand like Chamoli, Gopeshwar, Pipalkoti, and also other places of Kumaun. The same
fault line passes through the Tehri Dam making it vulnerable.

These fault lines are part of the Himalayan tectonic discontinuities that criss-cross Uttarakhand.
The state is considered to be in a seismic gap, meaning
it has the potential to generate a great earthquake in
the future.

DOODHATOLI RANGE (The Pamir of Uttarakhand) –

Doodhatoli is a mountain range situated in the Middle
Himalaya region. This range is spread across Chamoli,
Pauri, and Almora districts.

Geographical Features:
➢ The region is characterized by gentle slopes and
rich grasslands, often used as pastures for livestock by communities like the Gaddis and
Gujjars.
➢ These communities establish
temporary habitats known as
‘Kharak’ or ‘Chhanni’.
➢ The average elevation of its core
area is around 3000 meters.

Significance:
➢ Doodhatoli is referred to as the
Pamir of Uttarakhand due to its
scenic and unique geographical
characteristics.
➢ It is the source of several non-glacial perennial rivers namely, Ramganga (west), Atagad
(tributary of Pindar River), Nayar (east), Nayar (west), Bino, Dhaijyuli Gad, etc. All these
rivers flow in different directions from here.
➢ Doodhatoli separates the basins of Ramganga, Pindar, and Nayar (both eastern and western
Nayar streams meet at Satpuli).

12
➢ Gairsain, the summer capital of Uttarakhand is located in this region. This place is located at
the geographical centre of Uttarakhand.
➢ The demand for making Gairsain summer capital was raised before Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru
by Veer Chandra Singh Garwali in 1960.
➢ Doodhatoli was the dreamland of great freedom fighter Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali.
Kodiyabagad in Doodhatoli is the place of his Burial. Every year on 12th June a big cultural
fair is organised here in his memory.

4. Shiwalik (Outer Himalayas):

➢ Location: This region lies at the outermost parts of the Himalayas hence also known as the
foothills or outer Himalayas. It covers the southern parts of Champawat, Almora, and Pauri
districts, and the central parts of Nainital and Dehradun districts.
➢ Width: 10 to 20 Km.
➢ Elevation: 700 to 1200 meters above the MSL.
➢ Since this is the most recently formed part of the Himalayas, this region contains fossils.
➢ The Shiwalik range is broken at several places due to fast flowing Himalayan Rivers like
Ganga, Yamuna, Kali, etc. these gaps are called ‘Dwars’ such as- Haridwar, Kotdwar, etc.
➢ The northern regions of Shiwalik range contains longitudinal valleys also known as ‘Duns’,
in which Dehradun is one of the most famous. Some other duns are Patli, Kota, Har ki, etc.
➢ Himachal and Shiwalik parts of Uttarakhand Himalaya are some of the most important
regions of Uttarakhand in terms of minerals.
➢ It is a general pattern observed that the amount of rainfall increases as we move from north
to south in Uttarakhand i.e. from Trans-Himalaya towards Shiwalik, Bhabar, and Terai region.
➢ Thus, Shivalik region has one of the highest rainfall experiencing parts of Uttarakhand with
mean annual rainfall above 200 cm.

Duns - The longitudinal valleys between the Middle Himalayas and the Shivaliks are called Duns.
These valleys are broad depressions formed due to structural processes. They are filled with
boulders and gravel resulting from the erosion of the Himalayas and Shivalik hills. Duns are
shaped by river deposits, with water eventually draining from these areas.

Some examples of ‘Duns’ are Dehradun, Kotli Dun, Patli Dun, Har Ki Dun, etc. Dehradun is the
largest Dun of Uttarakhand stretching over 35-45 Km in length and 22-25 Km in width.

13
5. Bhabar:
➢ This region is a 10 to 15 Km broad stretch of coarse sediments lying to the immediate south
of the Shiwalik range.
➢ The coarse sediments are formed due to the sudden break in the slope of the Himalayan
Rivers.
➢ The presence of big boulders makes the streams disappear in this region.
➢ Due to the coarse nature, the soils of this region are not suitable for agriculture.

6. Tarai:
➢ This region is a 20 to 30 Km wide stretch of land lying immediately south of the Bhabar area.
➢ This region is made up of fine particles of sand, silt, and clay brought down by the Himalayan
Rivers.
➢ The soil found here is quiet fertile hence best suited for agriculture.
➢ This region spans across districts like Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Pauri
Garhwal, lying between Bhabar (north) and Great Plains (south).
➢ The slopes of Tarai are gentle causing water logging. Hence this place is marshy with
abundant forests, and rich wildlife.
➢ The river stream that disappeared in the Bhabar region, re-appears in this region.
➢ One of the unique features of this region is the presence of ‘Artesian Wells’.
➢ Cities like Kashipur, Rudrapur, etc. come under this region and are highly populous regions
of Uttarakhand.

14
 ARTESIAN WELLS - An artesian well is a type of well where water flows to the surface naturally
without the need for pumping. This happens because the groundwater is under pressure in an
aquifer (a water-holding layer of rock or sediment). The aquifer is sandwiched between layers of
impermeable rock or clay, which trap the water and create pressure. When a well is drilled into
this pressurized aquifer, the water is forced up due to the pressure.

7. Gangetic Plains:
➢ A small part of Uttarakhand comes under the Gangetic Plains region.
➢ The southern regions of Haridwar district is composed of Gangetic Plains.
➢ This region is formed by the fine sediments brought down by the Himalayan Rivers after
they enter the grain northern plains of India.
➢ This is one of the most fertile and highly populous regions of India.
➢ The main crops grown in this region are Wheat, Sugarcane, rice, and vegetables.
➢ The regions where the rivers bring sediments and often floods are called ‘Khadar’ while
those places where floods are not so common are called ‘Bangar’ regions.
Khadar Bhangar
1. Formed from newer alluvial deposits along 1. Made up of old alluvial soil deposits: These
river courses: These are freshly deposited soils are ancient floodplain soils, deposited in the
brought by rivers during annual floods, making past, and are found in upland areas that remain
the region fertile and agriculturally productive. relatively unaffected by recent river activities.
2. Found in low-lying, flat areas: Khadar 2. Located in elevated areas: The Bhangar
regions are situated near rivers, often forming region is higher than the floodplains, so it is
the primary floodplains that receive fresh less affected by waterlogging or seasonal
deposits. flooding.

15
3. Very fertile as the soil is replenished yearly: 3. Rich in humus, though less fertile than
The fertile soil in Khadar is enriched by fresh Khadar: The soil in Bhangar contains humus
silt deposits from river floods, boosting its but lacks the renewal of nutrients that floods
agricultural yield. bring, making it less fertile.
4. Composed of silt, clay, mud, and sand: The 4. Contains impure calcium nodules called
Khadar soil composition is balanced and highly "Kankars.": Bhangar soil often contains lime-
suitable for diverse crops due to its richness in rich nodules, which reduce its fertility for
essential nutrients. certain crops.

16