Major Glaciers of India

The Zemu Glacier, Gangotri Glacier, Bara Shigri Glacier, Pindari Glacier, Siachen Glacier, and other significant glaciers may all be found in India. These glaciers are essential for preserving the water supply for rivers, ecosystems, and nearby communities. Additionally, they draw mountaineers and explorers from all over the world. In order to guarantee the sustainability of water resources and lessen the effects of climate change, it is essential to safeguard and conserve these glaciers.

Features of Major Glaciers of India

Here are the descriptions of major glaciers of India −

Zemu Glacier

The greatest glacier in the Eastern Himalaya is Zemu Glacier. It is situated at the foot of Kangchenjunga in Sikkim, India, and is around 26 kilometres (16 miles) long. The third-highest peak in the world, Kanchenjunga, has a glacier on its east side called the Zemu Glacier. Numerous rivers receive their water from the glacier because it feeds them when it melts. Debris from the Kanchenjunga slopes feeds the glacier's head.

Gangotri Glacier

In an area that borders Tibet, Gangotri is situated in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, India. This glacier, one of the Ganges' main sources, is more than 27 cubic kilometres in size. There is about 20 km3 of ice in the whole 200 km2 of the ice cover. The glacier is 2 to 4 km wide and around 30 km long. The Gangotri Group of summits surrounds the glacier and includes several summits with notoriously difficult ascent routes, including Shivling, Thalay Sagar, Meru, and Bhagirathi III. It starts in a cirque beneath Chaukhamba, the group's tallest summit, and flows about northwest from there.The Gangotri Glacier's terminus is known as Gomukh or Gaumukh because it is thought to resemble a cow's mouth.

Bara Shigri Glacier

A glacier called Bara Shigri is situated in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul and Spiti region. It currently extends over 126.45 square kilometres and is 27.7 miles long. In Himachal Pradesh, it is the biggest glacier. Bara Shigri feeds the Chandra River, also known as Chandrabhaga or Chenab, after it joins the Bhaga River at Tandi. The Bara Shigri glacier is located on the northern slopes of the Inner Himalayan Pir Panjal Range. The main tributary glaciers, which converge at a height of around 4,900 meters, feed it.

Pindari Glacier

Southeast of Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot in the upper Kumaon Himalayas lies a glacier known as the Pindari Glacier. The Pindar River, which originates from the glacier, joins the Alakananda in Karnaprayag in the Garhwal district. The glacier is around 9 kilometres long. Most people find it pleasant to finish the 90 km (56 mi) roundtrip trek on the Pindari Glacier trail in 6 days. Mountain biking and ice climbing are two other adventure sports that are popular at the Pindari Glacier.

Siachen Glacier

In the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas, there is a glacier called the Siachen Glacier. It is the second-longest glacier in the world's non-polar regions and the longest in the Karakoram at 76 km long. Since 1984, India has been in charge of Ladakh, a union territory in the Kashmir area that includes the entire Siachen Glacier and all-important crossings. The Siachen Glacier is located in the heavily glaciated region of the Karakoram, frequently referred to as the "Third Pole," immediately south of the large drainage divide that divides the Eurasian Plate from the Indian subcontinent. The main Karakoram range to the east and the Saltoro Ridge directly to the west are separated by the glacier.

Milam Glacier

A significant glacier in the Kumaon Himalaya is Milam Glacier. It is situated around 15 miles northeast of Nanda Devi in the Munsiyari Tehsil in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. Its elevation varies from roughly 5,500 meters to roughly 3,870 meters at its snout. It is 16 km long and approximately 37 km2 (14 sq mi) in size.

Chhota Shigri

East of the Rohtang Pass (H.P.), on the northern side of the main ridge of the Pir Panjal Range of the interior Himalayas, is where you'll find the Chhota Shigri Glacier. The mountainous topography and high, steep ridges are perfect for the growth of this glacier. The Chhota Shigri Glacier spans an area of approximately 6.2 square miles (16 square kilometres). Chhota Shigri Glacier stream drains a total area of about 35 square kilometres (14 square miles).

Satopanth Glacier

The Indian state of Uttarakhand is home to the Satopanth Glacier. The word "Satopanth" is likely derived from two words: "Sat-o," which means "truth," and "Panth," which means "path or way." So the way of truth is the actual meaning of it. The Satopanth glacier is the source of the river Alaknanda, one of the Ganges' main headstreams. One of the most visited glaciers in Uttarakhand is the one in question. Mountaineers think it's a little difficult to climb.

Biafo Gyang Glacier

The 67 km (42 mi) long Biafo Glacier is located in the Shigar area of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, in the Karakoram Mountain range. The Biafo Glacier, one of the biggest glaciers in the Karakorams, flows south-east from the mountain's centre. There are 853 km2 in its basin, 628 km2 of which are permanently covered in snow and ice, with the accumulation zone constituting 68% of the glacier surface. The third-longest glacier in the world outside of the polar regions is the Biafo Glacier.

Shafat Glacier

A glacier in Ladakh, India's Himalayan Range that is 14 kilometres (9 miles) long is called the Shafat Glacier—Parkachik Glacier. It is located on the right side of the Kargil-Zanskar Road, 85 kilometres (53 miles) south of Kargil and 294 kilometres (183 miles) east of Srinagar, close to the boundary between the Indian union regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The two mountain summits Nun and Kun, which have an elevation of over 6800 meters, are created by the Shafat Glacier and Parkachik Glacier, and it serves as a base to ascend these mountain peaks. It is 4400 meters above sea level on average. The Suru River, an Indus River tributary, receives additional flow from the melt waters.

List of Major Glaciers of India

Here is a table of major glaciers in India and their locations −

Glacier	Location
Zemu Glacier	Sikkim
Gangotri Glacier	Uttarakhand
Bara Shigri Glacier	Himachal Pradesh
Pindari Glacier	Uttarakhand
Siachen Glacier	Ladakh
Milam Glacier	Uttarakhand
Chhota Shigri Glacier	Himachal Pradesh
Satopanth Glacier	Uttarakhand
Biafo Glacier	Jammu and Kashmir
Shafat Glacier	Jammu and Kashmir

Conclusion

India is fortunate to have magnificent glaciers that adorn its mountains and valleys. These glacial wonders, such the Gangotri, Siachen, and Zemu Glaciers, are not only breathtaking but also essential for maintaining the nation's water supply. They serve as a source of natural beauty as well as a symbol of the fragile balance of the planet. Come explore the great glaciers of India with us as we learn about their significance and role in our environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the longest glacier in India?

The Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand is one of the longest glaciers in India, spanning over 30 kilometers.

Where is the Siachen Glacier located?

The Siachen Glacier is located in Ladakh, in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas

Which state is home to the Zemu Glacier?

The Zemu Glacier is situated in the state of Sikkim in northeastern India.

What is the significance of the Pindari Glacier?

The Pindari Glacier, located in the Kumaon Himalayas, is popular among trekkers and adventure enthusiasts for its scenic beauty and accessibility.

How long is the Bara Shigri Glacier?

The Bara Shigri Glacier in Himachal Pradesh is approximately 27.7 miles long, making it the largest glacier in the state.