Question map
Assertion (A) : The Himalayan meadows are suitable for transhumance. Reason (R) : In these areas tranport facility to move from one place to another is good.
Explanation
Assertion (A) is true as the Himalayan meadows, known as 'Margs' in Kashmir or 'Bugyals' in Uttarakhand, are highly suitable for transhumance [4]. These alpine pastures provide rich grazing grounds for livestock like sheep and goats during the summer months when the snow melts [4]. Communities such as the Gujjars, Bakarwals, and Gaddis practice this seasonal vertical migration to utilize these high-altitude resources [3]. However, Reason (R) is false. The transition routes and high-altitude pastures are often characterized by steep, precipitous, and rugged terrain rather than good transport facilities [t1]. Historically, transhumance is a response to the lack of agricultural land and the seasonal availability of fodder in a fragile mountain ecosystem where modern infrastructure is limited [c1][t2]. Therefore, while the meadows are suitable for grazing, it is not due to good transport facilities.
Sources
- [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 14: Settlements > Rural Settlements in the Himalaya > p. 10
- [4] India and the Contemporary World - I. History-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Pastoralists in the Modern World > Source A > p. 99
- [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 6. Forest Wealth > p. 29
- [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 10: Locational Factors of Economic Activities > Pastoral Nomadism > p. 9