Monday, February 18. 2019Why the way of life is under threat in the mountains?
The more we use mountains, the more we threaten the lives of the people, animals and plants that live there. We must continue to take care of our mountains so that they can be enjoyed by future generations. Sometimes waste is stored inside a mountain. Some people think that mountains are a useful place to store rubbish because they are remote and scarcely populated. Tunnels can be made in a mountain to keep the rubbish out of sight. But poisons from this rubbish can seep into the ground, killing plants and animals that live nearby. The way of life in the mountains is under threat. If levels of pollution increase and the Earth’s temperatures continue to rise, life will get more difficult for mountain people. Food and fuel could become scarce as mountain habitats change. Melting glaciers are also likely to cause floods, soil erosion, falling rocks and landslides. Mountains may change in your lifetime. Over millions of years, mountains grow and mountains wear away. Sometimes, a natural disaster can change the landscape dramatically. In 2004, a tsunami was caused by an earthquake under the sea in Asia. Whole islands disappeared from view and many people drowned. We cannot predict how mountains will change. However, we can do our best to protect them. Picture Credit : Google Monday, February 18. 2019Why are the treasures of mountains?
Mountain treasures Mountains provide us with many useful things - from metals deep in the rocky ground to fresh flowing mountain rivers. Mountains are also areas of great beauty and have become popular tourist destinations. Fresh water comes from Mountain Rivers. All the major rivers in the world start as tiny streams and rivers running down mountain slopes. The great Amazon River in South America is fed by small streams from the Andes Mountains in Peru and Bolivia. We use this fresh water to drink and to grow our food. The power of Mountain Rivers can also be used to make electricity.
Metals and jewels come from inside mountain rocks. Many precious metals are found in mountain rocks. Most metals have to be mined, but some can be washed by the rain into rivers. Precious jewels, such as emeralds, are also mined from mountain rocks. You can walk, climb or ski down a mountain. Mountains have become popular tourist destinations because of their natural beauty. They are used for many sports, such as skiing, paragliding, walking and climbing. Some experienced climbers attempt to climb the highest peaks with the use of special training and equipment. In winter many mountains become ski resorts when they are covered in snow. Picture Credit : Google Monday, February 18. 2019What kind of Living is there at the mountains?
Mountain people About half a billion people live in the world’s mountains. They have adapted to the bleak mountain conditions. Mountain people cut fields into the steep slopes to farm the land. They also use mountain animals for food, clothes and as a form of transport. Some mountain people live in remote areas. Mountain people often live off what they can grow and farm. Sheep, goats, alpacas and llamas provide them with milk and meat for food, and wool and leather for clothes. Mountain animals are sure-footed and can carry heavy loads (or even people!) Although the air is thin, mountain people are able to travel in the mountains with ease. They can walk long distances and are confident climbers.
Tough crops such as tea, coffee and rice can be grown, on steps cut into the steep slopes. Terraces are steps dug into the hillside. These steps stop soil and crops from being washed away by heavy rainfall. On the lowest slopes in valleys, the land is rich and fertile, and farmers are able to grow mangy crops easily. More people now have easy access to the mountains. Mountains were once used as a defence barrier against warring tribes. Now, many people have access to the mountains. Zig-zag roads and paths, cable cars and even train lines have been built up mountain-sides. Mountain tunnels allow vehicles to pass through. We can also access the mountains by air using helicopters. Picture Credit : Google |
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