Himachal, the “Abode of Snow”, is a state located in the northern part of India covering an area of 55,673 sq. km. The state’s terrain rises from the foothills of the Shivaliks bordering the plains of Punjab and extends to the trans-Himalayan heights of the Zanskar Range, bordering Ladakh and Tibet. The state shares common boundaries with Punjab to the west, Uttar Pradesh to the southeast, China to the east, Haryana to the southeast, and Jammu & Kashmir to the North.

The entire region of Himachal Pradesh is characterized by hills and forests. The altitude varies between 350 meters to 7000 meters above the sea level. Himachal Pradesh is divided into three distinct regions, the Shivalik or outer Himalayas, middle Himalayas or inner Himalayas, and greater Himalayas or the alpine zone.

The lower Himalayas include the districts of Hamirpur, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, and the lower parts of Solan, Sirmaur, and Mandi commonly known as the Shivalik Hills. The altitude in this region ranges from 350 meters to 1,500 meters.

The middle Himalayas comprises the region between the altitudes of 1,500 meters and 4,500 meters. The districts under this region are parts of Sirmaur, Mandi, and the upper parts of Kangra, Shimla, and Chamba.

The greater Himalayas or the alpine zone is at an altitude of 4,500 meters and above. The region is cut across by the river Sutlej and comprises the Kinnaur and Pangi tehsils of Chamba, and some part of Lahaul and Spiti.

There are nine different types of soils found in Himachal Pradesh which include alluvial soils, Brown hill soils, Brown earths, Brown porests soils, Grey wooded or Podozolic soils, Grey brown podzolic soils, Plansolic soils, Humus and iron Podzols and Alpine hunus mountain skeletal soils. Majority areas in the state come under seismic zone IV and V which is a very High Damage Risk Zone.