BOOK
Mountain Of Asia

Dr. Harka Gurung's new book provides description of Asian mountains

 -By KESHAB POUDEL 

Every one likes to explore the majestic mysteries of the mountains and large number of people from different parts of the world regularly visit the mountains.

The quest to find out something about the mountain is not new. People have been trying to do so for centuries but no body seems to be satisfied.

From the explorer of early days to the modern travelers, there are always something new and interesting things in the eastern Himalayan region. Varieties of vegetation to the varieties of the ethnic groups, Himalayan regions have all distinct characters.

Many books have been written on majesties of the Himalayas and mountains but the recently published book by  Dr. Gurung explains different perspectives of mountains.

Mountains have majesties as well as mysteries inside them as they constitute the frontier of human occupancy and the home of ethnic minorities.

Asian continents have many physio-geographic and ethnological characteristics. This is what the book has attempted to produce. It is a mere prolegomena towards providing an overview of regional with physical, cultural and economic aspects.

The book, mountain Asia, provides an overview and insight into the principal mountain ranges as dynamic entities in themselves. The author gives the readers some ideas of the immense variety and richness of plants and animal species, the cultural diversity of its inhabitants and the enormous challenges that governments and people face when planning for their development.

Although Dr. Gurung has written many books on Himalayan and mountain ecology, this new publication has additional points that point out the importance of mountain.

One of the basic characteristics of the book is that it provides a description of Asian mountains and hill ranges according to geographic grouping. The book tries to emphasize on the Himalayas since the text is based on documentation  available in the Himalayan region.

In this book Dr. Gurung describes 110 mountains and hill ranges in 37 countries. At a time when there is a greater demand in the world about the importance of Himalayan mountains, the book will give ready reference to those who are unfamiliar with the mountain.

It is well known that the mountains of Asia have many features as each region has its own system and way of living including different languages.

Dr. Gurung in his book provides a description of Asian mountains and hill ranges according to geographic grouping. Due to lack of information, it seems to be impossible to draw a clear picture of the Himalayas even in this period.

According to Dr.Gurung, there is greater amount of literature on the Himalayas than in other areas because the region has a longer history than other mountain regions of Asia in terms of exploration and adventure.

The book, has a valuable comprehensive bibliography and mountain glossary of indigenous terms of physical features and land us in 35 languages. Each region has its own map focusing on its mountain ranges.