Important Glaciers of Jammu & Kashmir
| Glacier Name | Location (District) | Approx. Altitude (m) | Approx. Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siachen Glacier | Ladakh (Nubra Valley) | 5,400 m | ~76 km | Largest glacier in India and 2nd longest in the world (non-polar areas); world's highest battlefield |
| Baltoro Glacier | Near Siachen, Karakoram | ~5,100 m | ~63 km | Located near K2; technically in Gilgit-Baltistan (POK) |
| Drang-Drung Glacier | Kargil (Zanskar region) | ~4,780 m | ~23.5 km | Source of Stod River, tributary of Zanskar River |
| Kolhai Glacier | Anantnag (Lidder Valley) | ~4,700 m | ~5–9 km | Largest glacier in Kashmir Valley; source of Lidder River |
| Machoi Glacier | Sonamarg (Ganderbal) | ~4,800 m | ~9 km | Source of Sindh and Dras rivers |
| Thajiwas Glacier | Sonamarg (Ganderbal) | ~2,740 m | Small | Tourist attraction; easily accessible |
| Kolahoi Glacier | Pahalgam, Anantnag | ~4,700 m | ~5.3 km | Rapidly shrinking due to climate change |
| Shafat Glacier | Suru Valley, Kargil | ~4,000 m | ~14 km | Source of Suru River; near Nun-Kun peaks |
📌 Key Points for Exam
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Siachen is the largest glacier in India and located in eastern Karakoram range.
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Kolhai Glacier is the largest glacier in the Kashmir Valley.
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Drang-Drung is the largest glacier in Ladakh after Siachen.
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Most glaciers in J&K are part of the Karakoram, Zanskar, and Pir Panjal ranges.
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Glacier retreat is a major concern in the region due to climate change.
📝 MCQs on Glaciers in J&K
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Which is the largest glacier in India?
A) Kolhai Glacier
B) Drang-Drung Glacier
C) Siachen Glacier
D) Baltoro Glacier
✅ Answer: C) Siachen Glacier -
Siachen Glacier is located in which mountain range?
A) Pir Panjal
B) Zanskar
C) Karakoram
D) Himalayas
✅ Answer: C) Karakoram -
Kolhai Glacier is the source of which river?
A) Jhelum
B) Lidder
C) Sindh
D) Suru
✅ Answer: B) Lidder -
Which glacier is a tourist spot near Sonamarg?
A) Drang-Drung
B) Shafat
C) Thajiwas
D) Kolhai
✅ Answer: C) Thajiwas -
Drang-Drung Glacier is the source of which river?
A) Stod
B) Lidder
C) Suru
D) Sindh
✅ Answer: A) Stod -
Which glacier is located near Nun and Kun peaks?
A) Kolhai
B) Shafat
C) Thajiwas
D) Siachen
✅ Answer: B) Shafat -
Which glacier is rapidly retreating in Kashmir Valley?
A) Kolhai
B) Thajiwas
C) Drang-Drung
D) Machoi
✅ Answer: A) Kolhai -
What is the length of Siachen Glacier approximately?
A) 14 km
B) 23 km
C) 63 km
D) 76 km
✅ Answer: D) 76 km