It holds the watershed for Gangetic river system spanning 300 km from Satluj in the west to Kali river in the east. Nanda Devi (25,640 ft) is the second highest peak in India after Kanchenjunga (28,160 ft). Dunagiri, Neelkanth, Chaukhamba, Panchachuli, Trisul are other peaks above 23,000 ft. It is considered the abode of Devtas, Yakashyas, Kinners, Fairies and Sages. It has some old hill-stations developed during British era like Mussoorie, Almora, Dwarahat, Ranikhet and Nainital.