Pauri Garhwal Geography

Location and Boundaries

Pauri Garhwal Geography : Pauri Garhwal district is located in the Garhwal region of the state of Uttarakhand in India. The district headquarters, Pauri town, is located at an elevation of 1,650 meters in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The district is bounded by Tehri Garhwal district in the northwest, Rudraprayag district in the southwest, Bageshwar and Almora districts in the southeast, and Uttarkashi district in the northeast.

Climate

Pauri Garhwal Geography : Pauri Garhwal district has a pleasant sub-temperate to temperate climate throughout the year due to its location in the mid-Himalayan region.

Temperature

The maximum temperature recorded in the lower elevations near Kotdwar in June is 45°C. In contrast, the higher reaches of Dudhatoli only reach a maximum of 25°C even in peak summer.

In winter, minimum temperatures can fall to 1.3°C in January. Overall, the mean monthly temperatures range from 25-30°C in Pauri Garhwal district.

Rainfall

The hilly terrain, covered in dense forests, receives adequate rainfall from mid-June to mid-September. Some winter rainfall also occurs occasionally.

The average annual rainfall is a substantial 218 cm, with around 90% concentrated in the monsoon months.

Humidity & Snowfall

Humidity varies from 54-63% in the district. The higher mountain ridges receive some snowfall in winter when temperatures drop below freezing point.

Soils

The soils of Pauri Garhwal district can be categorized into:

• Pedogenetic soils: Formed by weathering of rocks over a long period. Derived from granite, gneissic, schistose and phyllite rocks. Rich in silica.
• Transported soils: Deposited by streams and rivers. Derived from distant parent rocks. Fertile silt and clayey loams.

Key Soil Types

Some major soil types found are:

• Brown forest soils: Very high organic matter. Found in dense forests.
• Gravelly sandy loams: Found in Upraon region. Moderate fertility.
• Brown clayey soils: Seen in Talaon region. High clay content. Prone to erosion due to stones/boulders.
• Katil soils: Found in high elevations. Stony, immature and poor in nutrients.

Topography

Pauri Garhwal Geography : The topography of Pauri Garhwal district is predominantly mountainous and rugged except for some plains in the Bhabar region and valleys.

Elevation Extremes

The elevation ranges widely from 295 meters near Chilla to 3,116 meters at Dudhatoli.

Mountains & Valleys

The lofty Himalayan peaks and ranges like Thailisain, Baijro, Khirsu-Mandakhal, Bironkhal and Rathwadhab dominate the landscape.

The major rivers – Alaknanda, Nayyar and their tributaries – flow through deep V-shaped valleys with terraced hillsides, waterfalls and rapids.

Settlements

Settlements and villages tend to be clustered on the gentle slopes and fluvial terraces of valleys, avoiding the steeper gradients.

Accessibility by roads is better in the lower regions, with many routes prone to landslides and erosion in the rugged higher terrain.

Forest Cover

Lush forests cover around 59% of Pauri Garhwal’s total area, reaching a maximum density in the Thailisain region.

Conclusion to Pauri Garhwal Geography

Pauri Garhwal Geography : Encompassing a wide variation of terrain, soils, climate, vegetation and settlement patterns, Pauri Garhwal offers great geographic diversity across its landscape. Its mid-Himalayan location gives the district a pleasant climate while also creating dramatic peaks and valleys. With abundant forests and river networks, it serves as a key watershed and ecological zone in Uttarakhand state.