Major Glaciers and Passes Of the Himalayas

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Indian Geography(Part-9)

 

Major glaciers Of the Himalayas

 

• There are 5 major glaciers that are found on the Karakoram range in the state of Jammu and Kashmir –

1. Sasaimi
2. Biafo
3. Siachin
4. Baltoro
5. Hispar

• Sasaimi Glacier is the largest glacier in India. Siachen glacier is the easternmost glacier on the Karakoram mountain range.
• The Siachen Glacier is located on the Karakoram mountain range near the Karakoram Pass.
• The Siachen Glacier is the origin of the Nubra River. The area around the Nubra River is known as the Nubra River Valley.
• Uttarakhand state has two important glaciers –

1. Gangotri
2. Milam

• The Zemu Glacier is located on the northern border of the state of Sikkim. The origin of the Teesta River is the zemu Glacier.
• The Teesta River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River.

Major Passes Of The Himalayas

• There are five major passes in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which are as follows –

1. Karakoram
2. Khardung La
3. Burzil
4. Zoji La
5. Banihal

• Karakoram Pass is the highest pass in India.
• The Karakoram Pass is located near the Siachen Glacier.
• The China-Pakistan road (CPEC) through Pakistan occupied Kashmir passes through Karakoram Pass.

• Khardung La Pass is located on the Ladakh Range.
• Leh is to the south of Ladakh range. To go from Leh to Siachen Glacier one has to pass through Khardung La Pass.
• Burzil Pass and Zoji La Pass are located on the Zaskar Hill.
• The road from Srinagar to Leh passes through the Zoji La Pass, it is located on the Zaskar Range.
• The westernmost range of the lesser Himalayas is called the Pirpanjal range and the easternmost range is the Dhauladhar Range.
• Srinagar is located in the middle of the Great Himalayas and the Pirpanjal Range.
• There are two passes on the Pirpanjal mountain range –

1. Pirpanjal Pass
2. Banihal Pass

• The valley between the Great Himalayas and Pirpanjal is called Kashmir Valley. Srinagar and Dal Lake are located in the Kashmir Valley.
• The road from Jammu to Srinagar passes through NH 1A Banihal Pass. Jawahar Tunnel is located in Banihal Pass itself.
• The NH 1A passes through the Jawahar Tunnel.
• Himachal Pradesh mainly has three passes -

1. Baralachala
2. Shipki La
3. Rohtang Pass

• The Baralachala Pass is located on the Zaskar Range.
• Mandi, an important town of Himachal Pradesh, is in the south of the dhauladhar range. The road from Mandi to Leh passes through Baralachala Pass.
• Shipki La Pass is located on the Himachal Pradesh and Tibet border.
• The capital of Himachal Pradesh is ' Shimla' on dhauladhar range.
• The Sutlej River enters Himachal Pradesh near Shipkila Pass.
• The Sutlej River originates from the Rakshastal near the Mansarovar Lake in
• Shipki La Pass is located on the Zaskar Range.
• The four major passes on the Zaskar range are -

1. Burzil
2. Zoji La
3. Baralachala
4. Shipki La

• There are two passes Burzil and Zoji La in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Baralachala and Shipki La in the state of Himachal Pradesh under Zaskar range.
• There are 4 main Passes in Uttarakhand state -

1. Mulingla
2. Manala
3. Nitila
4. Lipulekh

• The two main passes in the state of Sikkim are Nathula and Jelepla.
• Chumbi Valley is located in the state of Sikkim. The route to Tibet via Chumbighati passes through the Nathula and Jelepala
• The road trade between India and China takes place from Nathula
• There are six passes in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. They are – 

1. Bomdila
2. Yangyap
3. Kangrikarpola
4. Diphu
5. Pangsad
6. Likhapani

• Bomdila, Yangyap and Kangrikarpola Pass is located on the border of Tibet.
• Diphu, Pangsad and Likhapani Pass is located on the Myanmar border.
• Bomdila Pass is also called Bumla Pass.
• Tuju Pass is located on the Manipur and Myanmar border.