Purvanchal Hills: Location, List of Hills, Biodiversity and Significance

The Purvanchal Hills are an eastward extension of the Himalayan Mountain Range and a major physiographic division in Northeast India. The Purvanchal Hills extend across the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, and Tripura along the India–Myanmar border. Along the India–Myanmar border. It includes well-known hill ranges such as the Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, Mizo (Lushai) Hills and Cachar Hills. The region forms part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and is home to rich forests, numerous endemic species of flora and fauna, and diverse indigenous tribal communities. The Purvanchal Hills help in climate regulation, water conservation, border security, and socioeconomic development of Northeastern India

List of Purvanchal Hills

They are a series of hill ranges that form the easternmost extension of the Himalayas, collectively constituting a regional geomorphological zone known as the Purvanchal Hills. The major hill ranges are:

• Patkai hills(Patkai Bum): It is the northernmost portion of the Purvanchal Hills and currently lies along the India–Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, forming a natural demarcation between India & Myanmar.
• Naga Hills: The Naga Hills extend across Nagaland, parts of Manipur, and northwestern Myanmar. Mount Saramati (3,841 m), the highest peak in Nagaland, is located in this range.
• Manipur Hills: Lying largely within the state of Manipur, these hills form a ring around most of the central Imphal Valley, joining the Naga Hills in the north with the Mizo Hills in the south.
• Mizo Hills (Lushai Hills): Situated in mainly Mizoram here are recognised for their rough slopes, thick woodlands and rich biodiversity. Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) is the highest peak in Mizoram. Mizoram features Phawngpui (or Blue Mountain) as the highest summit in the state.
• Cachar Hills (North Cachar Hills): Located in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, these hills Located in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, the Cachar (North Cachar) Hills form a transitional region between the Barail Range and the Mizo Hills. They are cloaked in tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest.
• Barail Range: Runs through Assam, Nagaland and Manipur and acts as a critical water divide between the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems. Geographically, it is sometimes classified as belonging to the The Barail Range is often considered part of the Purvanchal Hill system because of its geographical continuity.

Purvanchal Hills Location

• • The Purvanchal Hills are the northeastern extension and part of the Himalayan Mountain Range in India.
  • These are located along the India–Myanmar international border.
  • South of the Brahmaputra Valley, where the river takes a sharp southward bend at Namcha Barwa, begins the hill system.

• The Purvanchal Hills are spread in the following states of India:

• Arunachal Pradesh

• Nagaland

• Manipur

• Mizoram

• Assam (Dima Hasao/Cachar region)

• Tripura (southern extensions)
• The hills extend into western Myanmar, where they gradually become the Arakan Yoma mountain range.
• They lie east of the Meghalaya Plateau and south of the Brahmaputra Valley.; east of the Meghalaya Plateau and south of the Brahmaputra Valley.
• Patkai Hills, Naga Hills, Manipur Hills, Mizo (Lushai) Hills, Cachar Hills and Barail Range are part of the Purvanchal Hill system.
• Geographically, it spans an area approximately 23°N–28°N latitude and 92°E–97°E longitude.
• The Purvanchal Hills are an important segment of the Indo–Myanmar mountain system and form a natural bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
• It sits within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, which ranks among the richest biodiversity hotspots in the world.

Purvanchal Hills Biodiversity

• • Purvanchal Hills form part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, which is one among 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world.
  • The region houses tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and subtropical broadleaf forests, as well as bamboo forests.
  • It is rich in endemic, rare and endangered plant and animal species.
  • The hills are home to over 7,000 species of flowering plants — including many medicinal and aromatic plants.
  • Main tree species: oak, pine, bamboo, cane, rhododendron, orchids, teak and sal.
  • The Purvanchal Hills, with an astonishing variety of orchid species, make Northeast India one of the richest orchid areas worldwide.
  • The region is home to some of the rarest mammals in the world:
  • Hoolock Gibbon (India’s only ape)

• Clouded Leopard

• Asian Elephant

• Bengal Tiger

• Red Panda (in higher elevations)

• Gaur (Indian Bison)

• Serow

• It is also high in diversity of birds including:

• Great Hornbill

• Blyth’s Tragopan

• Mrs Hume’s Pheasant

• Hornbills
• The important reptiles present are King cobra, Indian python, various gecko and turtle species.
• Protected areas such as Namdapha National Park, Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Dampa Tiger Reserve, Intanki National Park, Keibul Lamjao National Park and Murlen National Park are also found in the Purvanchal Hills.
• The forests are important for carbon sequestration, climate regulation, soil conservation and watershed protection.
• The high biodiversity of the Purvanchal Hills is an important means of livelihood for many indigenous tribal communities using medicinal plants and sustainably extracted forest products.
• Threats to the region range from deforestation, shifting cultivation (Jhum), illegal logging, habitat fragmentation, infrastructure development and climate change, all of which necessitate conservation efforts.

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Purvanchal Hills Significance

• The Purvanchal Hills are the eastern extension of the great Himalayas connecting India with Myanmar and also Southeast Asia.
• They form a natural barrier along the India–Myanmar border, and thus are geopolitically significant to national security.
• Hills of this range fall under the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot (Indo-Malaya), one of the 36 richest biodiversity regions in the world.
• They are home to many endemic, rare and endangered species of plants and animals.
• This area acts as a crucial watershed, where various tributaries of the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems originate.
• Dense forests of Purvanchal Hills regulate climate, sequester carbon, and help regulate the climate, sequester carbon, conserve soil, and protect watersheds. They preserve soil and conserve rainwater.
• The hills receive heavy rainfall due to the southwest monsoon. brings high rainfall under the influence of the southwest monsoon and has an impact on Northeast India’s climate.
• They play host to numerous tribes of indigenous groups that maintain vibrant cultural traditions, languages and sustainable lifestyles.
• The region is rich in forest resources, bamboo, medicinal plants, and horticultural crops, which support the local economy.
• We have a good opportunity for ecotourism, adventure tourism and conservation of biodiversity in Purvanchal Hills.
• Being close to Myanmar makes India complete its Act East Policy with better cross-border connectivity, trade and regional cooperation.
• The Purvanchal Hills are strategically important for strengthening border infrastructure and ensuring peace and security along the India–Myanmar border.
• Hence, conservation of the Purvanchal Hills is needed for ecological balance, water security and sustainable development in the region.

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