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Glaciers in Himachal Pradesh : |
| Himalayas have nearly 15,000 glaciers and it is one of the largest
continental area under ice. It is estimated that about 34,000 sq.
km., about 18 % of the Himalayas is always covered with ice. An average
Himalayan glacier has the capacity of nearly an 11th of a cubic km.
But to form a large dam, even a medium glacier can provide enough
water. And large glaciers like Gangotri can even fill dams like Bhakhra
dam the three times. |
| But there is not much known about
the Himalayan glaciers. There is a very little information about the
exact volume of water that is recieved by the Indian rivers in the
form of rain, undergroung water, snow and water from the melting of
glaciers. Generally glaciers start melting in the monsoon season.
So this system provides water to those areas or rivers where monsoon
is weak, thus maintain the balance very well. This system also provides
many rivers a tremendous boost in water level in monsoon season and
causes floods. Glaciers are called 'Shigri' in local language. Some
of the important glaciers are as under.
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| Bara Shigri :- Bada Shigri is the
largest glacier in Himachal Pradesh. It is located in the Chandra
valley of Lahaul and it feeds the river Chenab.
Bada Shigri glacier is more than 25 km. long and about 3 km. wide.
It lies on the middle slopes of the main Himalayan range. It is also
aided by many small tributary glaciers. It is surrounded by high mountains
from three sides. It is said that this glacier formed Chandertal lake
by causing a major havoc in Chadra valley in 1936. Bada Shigri glacier
was conquered by all women mountaineers in 1956. It was further successfully
trekked by Stephenson in 1956. There are number of prominent glaciers
in Chandra valley in Lahaul. Some of them are Chhota Shigri ( means
Small Glacier ), Kulti, Shpting, Pacha, Ding Karmo, Tapn, Gyephang,
Bolunag, Shili and Shamundri. Gyephang is the chief deity of Lahaul
valley and the Gyephang glacier is named after him. It is full of
snow all the year. It is considered as the Manimahesh of Lahaul. |
| Chandra Glacier:- It falls in the
Lahaul - Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the
slopes of the main Himalaya. It has been separated from Bara Shigri
glacier. This glacier reason behind the formation of Chandertal lake.
Chandertal lake is surrounded by snows and acres of scree. This deep
blue-water lake has a circumference of 2.5 km. It is also called the
'Lake of the moon'. It remains completely frozen during winter. Chandertal
lake is the source of the river Chandra. |
| Chandra Nahan Glacier :- It is located
on the South-Eastern slopes of the main Himalaya in the area to the
North-West of Rohru in Himachal Pradesh. Chandra Nahan Glacier is
also aided by various small tributary glaciers. The famous Chandra
Nahan lake lies in it and it feeds the river Pabbar. Chandra Nahan
lake is accessible only to experienced trekkers and fed by a series
of springs. Chandra Nahan glacier is surrounded by high rising peaks.
The elevation of Chandra Nahan glacier is more than 6,000 meters. |
| Bhadal Glacier :- Bhadal glacier
is located on the South-Western slopes of the Pir Panjal range in
the Bara Banghal area of Kangra district. It feeds the river Bhadal.
Bhadal river rises from the snowy range of the area lying between
the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Bhadal river's catchment is
made up of U shaped valleys, waterfalls, moraines, cirques and towering
peaks. This river is one of the main tributaries of the river Ravi.
The size of Bhadal glacier suddenly grows up because of rapid and
heavy snowfall. |
| Bhaga Glacier:- It is located on
the slopes of the main Himalayan range in Lahaul area. This glacier
feeds the river Bhaga. U shaped valleys, waterfalls, glaciers and
moraines characterises the upper catchment of the Bhaga river. The
entire tract is devoid of a vegetative cover. The discharge of this
river increases during the summer months, when the snow on the high
mountains start melting. Bhaga Glacier is surrounded by high snowclad
peaks from all sides. Bhaga glacier is 25 km. long. The other important
glaciers of Bhaga valley are Lady of Keylong, Mukkila, Milang and
Gangstang. |
| The Lady of Keylong :- The Lady of
Keylong glacier is very popular among visitors. The name 'Lady of
Keylong' was given by 'Lady Elashainghday' about a century ago during
British ruling. The glacier is situated at an altitude of about 6,061
meters and it can be seen clearly from Keylong. It remains covered
with snow throughout the year.But in the middle, there is seen a dark
bare patch that looks like the figure of a womam, walking with a load
on her back. It is also recorded as 'Lady of Keylong' by the geological
survey team of India. |
| Mukkila Glacier :- |
It is situated at the height of about 6,478
meters. It is located in Bhaga valley. Its impression is awesome. |
| Sonapani :- |
It was first surveyed by Walker and Pascoe
in 1906. It is visible from the Rohtang Pass. It is about 6 km. from
the confluence of Kulti Nala. |
| Gora Glacier :- |
It has receded in the recent past due to
a unstable mass balance. It lies in the South facing slopes of the
main Himalayan range. |
| Perad Glacier :- |
The Perad glacier is small and easily
accessible and it is near Putiruni. It also has a nice cave. |
| Parbati and Dudhon :- |
These glaciers are located in district
Kullu. Both glaciers are 15 km. long. They feed the Parbati river. |
| Beas Kund :- |
It feeds the river Beas and is located on the South
facing slopes of the towering Pir Panjal near the world famous Rohtang
Pass. |
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