The Himalayan Mountains are known as the "roof of the world," where Earth's highest peaks pierce the sky at altitudes of over 29,000 feet and rising. The fertile valleys of the Himalayas are home to about 40 million people and its glacier-fed rivers provide freshwater to an estimated 750 million more. The spectacular dimensions of the Himalayan Mountains give this region a mystical quality – it is a place of awesome beauty, rich culture and powerful legend. Layer upon layer of ancient strata, plunging caverns and snow-covered summits tell the story of the Himalayas' tumultuous past. They may also hold secrets about the origin of mankind and the creatures that inhabited the earth before us.

The Himalayan Mountains are located in the heart of South Asia. Scientists believe they were first formed back when dinosaurs dominated the planet. At that time, the landmass that is now India drifted from the Southern Hemisphere across the equator to collide with the Asian continent. The collision of these two landmasses pushed the earth's crust upward, forming the Himalayan range.

The Himalayas include 14 of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest, which stand at over 29,035 feet. To put this into perspective, consider that commercial airliners fly at 30,000 feet. From the highest of the Himalayan summits, you can actually see the curvature of the earth. And the Himalayas are still growing, rising about 5 millimeters (.2 inches) per year.

Next: Yeti: The Protector of the Mountains

There is a long tradition of myth and legend among the diverse peoples who live in the shadows of the Himalayas. The harsh mountain environment has helped create a population with a deep respect for nature and a strong belief in the supernatural. Throughout the region tales of a mysterious manlike creature who inhabits the Himalayan forests pervade the culture and color the spiritual beliefs of the locals. It is known as the yeti, and it is as important to the Himalayan people as the mountains themselves.

According to most accounts, the yeti is about the size of a man, walks upright, has an apelike face and head, and is covered with heavy reddish-brown hair. Myth and misrepresentation have led Westerners to call this creature the "abominable snowman"; however, according to the legend of the Himalayan people, the yeti is neither abominable nor predominately snowbound. Sightings of the creature have occurred at a variety of elevations, both above and below the Himalayan snow line. And rather than being perceived as a threat to humans, the yeti is seen as a guardian of the mountains whose continued existence is an indication that the Himalayan ecosystems remain healthy and viable.

Belief in the yeti has endured based on stories of personal encounters passed through generations and villages. No yetis have ever been captured or studied directly, but many locals have reportedly seen yeti footprints in sand, soil and snow. These footprints resemble that of a large primate or possibly an upright bear. This comparison is not so extraordinary – the similarity between bear and primate feet is recognized by comparative anatomists. Indeed, many zoologists and anthropologists reject the idea that the yeti is a primate. To them, a large bear seems the most plausible explanation. However, those who believe the yeti to be a primate point to the fact that it is commonly said to have a cone-shaped head like that of a gorilla. Some believe that yetis may represent the remains of a population of prehistoric ape that lived in Asia hundreds of thousands of years ago. No matter what the true nature of the yeti, its legend only grows stronger with increased speculation.

There are many who believe the Yeti to be a primate – either an unknown species or a relic of a species that lived in Asia hundreds of thousands of years ago. They point to the fact that he is commonly said to have a cone-shaped head. Typically a cone-shaped head is caused by thick brow bones and a lump on the top of the forehead called the sagittal crest, both of which are gorilla features. The reddish brown color of the Yeti brings to mind the orangutan, a primate with a range that once included south Asia. Both the gorilla and the orangutan are members of the great ape family. It is curious that such characteristics are reported by people who are unlikely to have ever laid eyes on a great ape.

Further support for the existence of the Yeti comes from members of mountaineering expeditions. Since the early part of the 20th century, there have been a number of reports by climbers of seeing a large bi-pedal mammal at altitudes of 10,000 to 20,000 feet in the Himalayan Mountains. Unfortunately, none have produced conclusive evidence that the Yeti exists.

The legend of the Yeti is a source of livelihood for the people of the Himalayas. His image adorns monuments, buildings, artwork and tapestries throughout the Himalayan region. Many locals earn a living by selling Yeti-themed trinkets and souvenirs to tourists in the marketplaces. To the Himalayan people, the Yeti is sacred and believed in both as an earthly creature and a mythological being. One thing is for certain - no matter what the true nature of the Yeti, his legend only grows stronger with increased speculation.

Man and the Environment: A Delicate Balance

The Himalayas are a region of high biodiversity. Animals found in the middle and higher elevations include golden languors, monkeys, pygmy hogs, snow leopards, black bears, sloth bears and blue sheep. The lowlands are home to swamp deer, the world's last remaining population of wild water buffalo and the highest density of tigers in the world. However, deforestation and destruction of mountainside ecosystems have led to a decline in environmental health and species density in the Himalayas during the past few decades. There are also reports that the Himalayas are threatened by the effects of global climate changes and that such changes threaten the lives of people living in the region.

Himalayan culture, religion, and lifestyle are intricately linked to the mountains and the natural environment. In response to the environmental degradation that has occurred, local groups have initiated projects intended to restore the mountain ecology. Environmental concerns have also renewed interest in the existence of the yeti among the locals. It is said that a yeti can only exist where the environment is pristine. And it may well be that belief in the yeti will inspire the actions necessary to save the Himalayan forests from further decline.

Conclusion

For all those who believe in the existence of the yeti, there are just as many who adamantly discount all claims of such a beast, especially those who rely strictly on the tenets of science. When it comes to the yeti, it is possible that the widespread presence of these creatures in folklore is a strong indication that they have actually existed since ancient times and may still inhabit remote regions of the earth. In fact, there are species of mammal still being discovered all over the world, even in such heavily populated regions as Southern California. One thing is certain: The yeti has captured the minds of people all over the world, and like the mighty Himalayas where it dwells, the creature's power to inspire human imagination is in no danger of fading anytime soon.