Western Himalayas

K2 Mountain, within the Western Himalayas.

Western Himalaya refers to the western half of the Himalayas, stretching from Badakhshan in northeastern Afghanistan/southern Tajikistan, Pakistan through North India (Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.

It is also known as Punjab Himalaya. All five tributary rivers of the Indus in the Punjab region (Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) originate from the Western Himalaya.

Included within the Western Himalayas are the Zanskar Range, the Pir Panjal Range, and parts of the Sivalik Range and the Great Himalayas and the Dhaola Dhar Range.

The Jhelum River rises in the Pir Panjal Range in Jammu and Kashmir, India, and flows northwestward through the Vale of Kashmir before entering the Pakistani-administered sector. The highest point is Nanga Parbat (26,660 feet or 8,126 metres), at the northwestern end of the region.

Ecology

Flora

• Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests
• Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows
• Western Himalayan broadleaf forests

Cultural significance

Many sites revered by people belonging to various faith and religions.

See also

• Eastern Himalaya
• Himalaya
• Aksai Chin
• Kashmir
• Punjab