Glaciers in Jammu and Kashmir are voted best among other glaciers in the world.
A glacier is a large mass of ice which moves slowly. Glaciers are found near the poles and at high altitudinal mountains.
List of Glaciers in Jammu and Kashmir
Baltoro Glacier
It is located in the Baltistan area of Jammu and Kashmir, on the Southern slopes of the Central Karakoram range. It is the second largest glacier of the Himalayan region, having a length of 62 km. This glacier provides water to Shigar river which is a tributary of Indus river.
Two large tributary glaciers, one from the South-Western slopes of the Gasherbrum peak and second from the North-Western slope of the Masherbrum peak provide water to this glacier. This glacier can be accessed via Skardu in Ladakh.
Biafo Glacier
This glacier is located in the Baltistan area of Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh), on the Southern slopes of the Karakoram range. It is about 60 km in length. Shigar river gets water by main stream of this glacier. This glacier is fed by small valley glaciers. This region is devoid of vegetation.
Hispar Glacier
It is located in the Baltistan area of Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh), on the Southern slopes of the Karakoram range. It is the third largest glacier of the Himalayan region having a length of 60 km. Many smaller glaciers meet this glacier on both sides. This region is devoid of vegetation. This glacier provides water to the Shigar river.
Nubra Glacier
It is located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, on the Southern slopes of the Karakoram range.Nubra river gets water from this glacier which ultimately flows into the Shyok river. Many large tributary glaciers drains this glacier. For example, valley glaciers from the North-Western slopes of the Sasser La Massif and the South-Eastern slopes of the Karakoram range and small glaciers in hanging valleys provide water to this glacier. Along the edges and the junction of the tributary glaciers and the main glacier, lateral moraines are found. This region is above the snow line, thus, no vegetation is found here.
Rimo Glacier
This glacier consists of three glacier groups which lie to the East of Siachen glacier. These three glacier groups are North, Central and South which are located at a height between 6000 m to 7000 m above mean sea level. Rimo glacier provides water to Shyok river.
Saltoro Glacier
It is located on the India and Pakistan border, situated near a basin in a mountain in the Saltoro massif. This glacier provides water to one of the two streams of the Saltoro river.
Siachen Glacier
It is located in the North Central part of Jammu and Kashmir on the Northern slopes of the Karakorm range. It is the largest glacier in the world outside the Polar region, having a length of 72 km. This glacier provides water to Muztagh or Shaksgam river that flows parallel to Karakoram range before entering into Tibet. Mamostong and Shelkar Chorten are its large tributary glaciers.
