Distribution: The Himalaya is a great range of mountains that spreads over a west, north-west to east- southeast over a distance of about 2500 km covering Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and China. In India, it extends from the Indus trench below Nanga Parbat in the west to Yarlungtsangpo- Brahmaputra George below Namche Barwa peak in east.

The Himalayas lying within India occupy nearly 5,31,250 sq. km area

• They cover about 16.6% of India’s total geographical area and are spread partially or completely over 12 states namely: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

Himalayas are geographically divided into:

• The Eastern Himalayas or the Assam Himalayas: Out of the above the Eastern Himalaya has a greater diversity of ecosystems like, forests, grasslands, marshes, swamps, lakes streams and rivers Eastern Himalayas consists of nearly 8000 species of the flowering plants. It has many primitive as well as many endemic plant species. Eastern Himalayas is known as centre of origin of cultivated plants. Many cereals, fruits and vegetables are cultivated here. E.g. Orchids, Aster, Accasia, Albizzia, Delbergia species (timber) and many legumes etc.
• The Central Himalayas or the Nepal Himalayas: The Central Himalayan environment is characterized by diverse ecosystems, ranging from tropical forests at lower altitudes to alpine meadows and glaciers at higher elevations.
• The Western Himalayas: On the western Himalayas cold deserts of Ladakh support drought and cold resistant varieties of plants and animals e.g. Yak.
• The North-West Himalayas or the Punjab Himalayas: The North-West Himalayas, also known as the Punjab Himalayas, are characterized by diverse agro-climatic zones, including cold arid, high-hill temperate, and sub-temperate regions. The area experiences significant climatic variability, with varying rainfall patterns and temperature fluctuations.

Eastern Himalayas are one of the of the world and has large no animals because of its varied ecological conditions e.g. Pangolins elephant’s macaque languor civet.