What is the correct order of the following mountain ranges from North to South? A. Ladakh B. Shivalik C. Karakoram D. Zaskar Codes:

Correct Answer: C. C, A, D, B

Explanation: Karakoram Range (a.k.a. Krishnagiri Range) The northernmost range of the Trans-Himalaya. Merges with the Pamir Knot in the west and the Kailash range in the east. The highest range of the Trans Himalaya. Mount Godwin Austen (K-2) (8611 m) is the second-highest peak in the world and the highest peak in India, located in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The range is famous for alpine glaciers such as Siachen (72 km), Batura, Hispar (61 km), Biafo (63 km), Baltero (62 km), etc. The Nubra Rive r originates from the Siachen Glacier. Note - Nubra Valley, a three-armed valley formed by the confluence of Shyok and Nubra rivers, situated between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges. The ancient local name of the valley was Dumra (Valley of Flowers) . Two-humped camels are found in the valley area which is a cold, desert area. Ladakh Range - eography It is situated to the south of the Karakoram range. Its extension is known as Mount Kailash in Tibet. Lake Mansarovar is situated to the south of Mount Kailash. The highest peak is Rakaposhi (7788m). Khardung La is the main pass situated in this range, connecting Shyok and Nubra river valleys to the Indus river valley. The Ladakh plateau (intramontane plateau) is situated between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges, the highest plateau of India, where cold, desert conditions are found. Many saline lakes are located in the plateau region. (Pangong Lake - An issue of dispute between India and China) Several plains are located - Soda Plains, Aksai Chin, Lingzhi Tang, Depsang Plains, and Chang Chenmo. Zaskar Range The southernmost range of the Trans Himalayas, joined to the Greater Himalayas due to the high compressional force of the Himalayas. The range extends from the Suru River valley in the northwest to the Karnali River in the southeast. Highest peak - Kamet (in the Uttarakhand-Tibet border region) The Indus River flows between the Zaskar and Ladakh ranges and cuts the Ladakh range at a place called 'Bunji', forming 'India's deepest gorge' (about 5,200 m deep). Shivalik/Outer Himalaya The southernmost range of the main Himalayas. The height of the range is 900 to 1100 m and the width is 10 to 50 km. Shivalik has originated due to the deposition and folding of the sediments brought by the rivers originating from the Himalayas. It is also the newest mountain range of the Himalayas. Expansion - From the Potwar Basin of Pakistan to the Dihang of Assam. Flat structural valleys between the Shivalik and the Lesser Himalayas in the west are called 'Doon', such as Dehradun, Kotlidoon, Patlidoon, and in the east are called 'Dwar', such as Nihang Dwar and Haridwar. These valleys are used for rice cultivation. PYQ’s Solution English 13 The lower part of the Shivalik is called 'Terai'. It is a swampy or forested region. This range, covered with dense broad leafy and mixed vegetation, is known as Jammu Hills in J&K; Dudwa, Dhang, and Chut Hills in Punjab and Uttarakhand; Someshwar Hills in Bihar, and Churiyamukhi/Chudiaghat in Nepal. In Arunachal Pradesh, it is combined with the middle Himalayas and is known as Dafla, Miri, Abor, and Mishmi. In Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, temporary streams are formed in the Shivalik during monsoon, which are called Chos.