Himalayan environment and culture:

the Himalayan “dilemma”

Geog 3251 Mountain Geography

summer 2007 term A

Himalaya = dynamic region

• Geologically

• Culturally

• Politically

Geology

Nepal’s Maoist movement

A war for ice

•The northwestern part of the region evolved under Muslim influence

•The southern flanks of the centre and east under Hindu influence,

•The northern fringe under Buddhist influence.

Nepal’s ethnic diversity

Himalayan region extremely dynamic

• Geophysically: tectonic activity

• Climatically: monsoon

• Politically:– Chinese-Nepalese border conflict– India-Nepal border conflict– Nepal’s maoist war

• Culturally: ethnic diversity

Two types of terraces

• Khet (irrigated terraces) - at lower altitudes

slope inward

rice & wheat crops

• Bari (rainfed terraces) - at higher altitudes

slope outwards

maize and buckwheat

Bari