Important glaciers of India
Gangotri
Gangotri Glacier is the Himalayan glacier situated in the Uttarkashi district in the Indian state of Uttaranchal. It is the largest glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas.
Pindari
Pindari glacier falls in the Kumaon Himalayan Mountain range at an altitude of 3353 meters. The Glacier is is 3 km in length and 0.25 km in breadth. The Pindari river originates from this glacier.
Milam
Milam is one of the largest and major Glacier in the Kumaon region. It is locatedet in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, at the height of 4250 meters above the sea level.
Nanda Devi
Nanda Devi, which means ‘blessed Goddess’ is the highest mountain in India. Nanda Devi holds the the spectacular wildlife, carefully preserved in the Nanda Devi National Park.
Siachen
The Siachen Glacier is located in the extreme north central part of Jammu and Kashmir near the Indo – Tibet border. It is the largest glacier in the world outside the Polar regions. It originates from the Sia Kangri in the Karakoram range and is approximately 72 km in length. It lies in the Karakoram range of mountains at the altitude of 5, 400 meters above the sea level. Just like the other glaciers, Siachen glacier has a vast snow field in the center. It can easily be approached via Skardu in Ladakh. The glaciers melting water is the main source of water for the Nubra river, which further falls into the Shyok River.
Satopanth Glacier
Satopanth Glacier is situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Deriving its name from two words, Sat-o- meaning truth and Panth meaning way or path, this glacier is a divine destination for avid trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. Located amidst the nature’s lap, the glacier is fed by the ice found on the eastern slopes of Chaukhamba group of peaks.
Zemu Glacier
Zemu Glacier is a 26 km long glacier draining the east side of Kanchenjunga the world’s third highest mountain. The importance of the glacier is that it is a key water source for the Teetsa River. The glacier acts as a natural reservoir releasing water due to melting. The Teetsa River is the focus of a hydropower development project being undertaken by the Government of Sikkim.
