Darma Valley
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9.9miles
(CHINA)
(INDIA)
River
Ganga
Dhauli
Yankti
Yankti
Khola
Pass
Darma valley is a Himalayan valley situated in the Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand state of India. This valley is located in the eastern part of Uttarakhand at Kumaon division.
The Darma valley is formed by the Darma River (also called Darma Yankti and Darma Ganga). It is situated between two other valleys—Kuthi Yankti valley to the east and Lassar Yankti valley in the west. The Darma valley links with the Lassar valley by Gangachal Dhura and connects with Kuthi valley by Sinla pass and Nama pass.
Historical Administration and Geography
[edit]Historically, the Darma Valley (originally administered as the Darma patti of the larger Darma Pargana) was sub-divided in 1872 into two distinct regions: Malla (upper) and Talla (lower) Darma. The chief geographical feature of the valley is the Dhauli river (also known as Darma river or Darma Ganga), which is formed by the confluence of two streams—the Lissar and the Dhauli proper—both rising in the northwest.[1]
The division between Malla and Talla Darma displays a distinct shift in climate and agriculture. The lower portion, Talla Darma, historically featured a milder climate, allowing for agriculture to be a serious pursuit with two crops (including high-quality wheat and barley) grown regularly at elevations between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. Beyond the village of Sobala, the upper region of Malla Darma begins, where the valley assumes a rugged alpine character reaching elevations of 11,600 feet at Baun. Agriculture in this upper region was traditionally limited to a single crop of buckwheat or Himalayan wheat (napal) sown after the snowmelt.[2] The valley also contains historical trading passes into Tibet, notably the Kachlekh and Neodhura (Neo lekh) passes.
The Darma pass, recorded in the early twentieth century as Niyo-Dhura or Neo-Dhura in the patti Malla Darma of the old pargana Darma, crosses into Tibet at 30°27′10″N 80°35′E, at an elevation of 18,510 feet (5,642 m) above sea level. It was much used by Bhotia traders following the route up the Dhauli valley, although it was reckoned more difficult than the neighbouring Limpiya Dhura to the east, at the head of the Kuthi Yankti valley, because its glacier lies on the Tibetan side. The road left the Dhauli river at Dawa and turned north-east towards the pass. Tibetans knew it as Nooi La or Shekhu La.[3]
Darma River
[edit]The Darma River starts near Dawe village on the Sino-Indian border and flows southwards. At Tidang it joins the Lassar Yankti and is called Dhauliganga until it joins the river Kali at Tawaghat. Darma valley has rich flora including orchids. A rivulet called Nyuli Yangti that drains Panchachuli east glaciers flows into Dhauli Ganga at Dugtu-Dantu villages. Mandab river joins Dhauli at Sela.
Habitation
[edit]The Darma valley is inhabited by some 12 villages with population less than 1000. The villagers have been livestock rearers and traders, cultivating land in the valley with common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and potatoes. After the migration of the 1970s, cultivated land has decreased to 25% of former size, allowing biodiversity to return to Darma Valley.[4]
Major peaks
[edit]- Panchchuli massif, from 6,334 to 6,904 m (20,781 to 22,651 ft)
- Yungtangto, 5,945 m (19,505 ft)
Mountaineering and trekking
[edit]Trekking in the Darma valley region was formerly restricted, nowadays trekking without inner line permits is allowed to Panchchuli or Meola Glacier. Additional permits may be required for other areas[citation needed]. Sino-Indian border is still sensitive area.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Walton, H. G. (1911). Almora: A Gazetteer. District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. Government Press, United Provinces. pp. 227–228.
- ↑ Walton, H. G. (1911). Almora: A Gazetteer. District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. Government Press, United Provinces. p. 227.
- ↑ Walton, H. G. (1911). Almora: A Gazetteer. District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. Vol. XXXV. Allahabad: Government Press, United Provinces. p. 207.
- ↑ S. S. Garbyal, K. K. Aggarwal and C. R. Babu (10 March 2005). "Return of biodiversity in Darma valley, Dharchula Himalayas, Uttaranchal, North India following fortuitous changes in traditional lifestyle of the local inhabitants" (PDF). Current Science. 88 (5). Bangalore, India: Current Science Association: 722–725. ISSN 0011-3891. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
External links
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