Exploring the Glaciers of Himachal Pradesh: A Detailed Guide for Government Job Aspirants
Himachal Pradesh, with its majestic mountains and pristine landscapes, is home to numerous glaciers. These glaciers are vital sources of freshwater and contribute significantly to the rivers in the region. This guide provides essential information on the major glaciers in Himachal Pradesh, which is invaluable for government job aspirants preparing for competitive exams.
Introduction to Glaciers
- Definition: A glacier is a large body of ice that forms on land by the recrystallization of snow under specific conditions.
- Zones:
- Accumulation Zone: Area where more snow or ice accumulates than melts.
- Ablation Zone: Area where more snow or ice melts than accumulates.
- Equilibrium Line: The line separating the accumulation and ablation zones.
Major Glaciers in Himachal Pradesh
1. Bara Shigri Glacier
- Location: Chandra Valley, Lahaul
- Dimensions: 3 km wide and 25 km long
- Significance: Largest glacier in Himachal Pradesh, feeding the Chenab River.
- Historical Note: Caused significant flooding in the Chandra Valley in 1936, forming Chandratal Lake.
2. Chandra Glacier
- Location: Slopes of the main Himalayas in Lahaul-Spiti
- Significance: Originally separated from Bara Shigri; feeds the Chandra River.
3. Bhaga Glacier
- Location: Approachable via Koksar and Tandi
- Significance: Origin of the Bhaga River.
4. Lady of Keylong
- Location: Visible from Keylong
- Significance: Named by Lady Elashaingday during the British Raj. Known for its distinct dark patches that resemble a woman carrying a load.
5. Mayar Glacier
- Location: Lahaul-Spiti
- Significance: Longest glacier in the region.
- Other Glaciers in Mayar Valley: Manthora, Karpat, Uthampu, and Tharong.
6. Gyephang Glacier
- Location: Lahaul Valley
- Significance: Named after the supreme Gyephang deity of Lahaul Valley, with a temple in Sarahan. Gyephang Peak resembles Matterhorn in Switzerland.
7. Kulti Glacier
- Location: Near Koksar, Lahaul-Spiti
8. Milang Glacier
- Location: North of Kulti Glacier, between Darcha and Khekrar in Lahaul-Spiti
9. Taragiri Glacier
- Location: Near Milang Glacier
10. Sonapani Glacier
- Location: Near Kulti Nala, visible from Rohtang Pass
Glacial Concentrations in Himachal Pradesh
- Bara Banghal Region: Located amidst Kullu, Kangra, Chamba, and Lahaul-Spiti, feeding the Ravi River.
- Trijunction of Kullu, Spiti, and Kinnaur: Feeds tributaries of Beas and Satluj Rivers.
- Lahaul-Spiti Zone
- Kullu Valley: Feeds tributaries of the Beas River.
Additional Information
- Himalayas Glaciers: Nearly 15,000 glaciers.
- Local Name for Glaciers: “Shigri”
- Water Content: Glaciers contain more than 75% of the world’s freshwater.
Notable Hot Water Springs in Himachal Pradesh
- Tatta Pani: Natural sulphur spring in Mandi, known for its curative properties.
- Manikaran: Radioactive hot spring near River Parbati, famous for its religious significance.
- Khirganga: Hot water spring near Kullu.
- Vashisht: Hot water spring near Manali with historical temples and Turkish baths.
- Jeori: Hot water spring in Kinnaur.
Conclusion
Understanding the glaciers of Himachal Pradesh is crucial for government job aspirants, especially those preparing for competitive exams. These glaciers not only shape the geography and hydrology of the region but also hold cultural and historical significance. This comprehensive guide covers the essential details, making it a valuable resource for your exam preparations.
Here is a comprehensive set of 30 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the major glaciers of Himachal Pradesh:
MCQs on Major Glaciers of Himachal Pradesh
- Which is the largest glacier in Himachal Pradesh?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- c) Miyar Glacier
- d) Sonapani Glacier
Answer: a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- Bara Shigri Glacier is located in which valley?
- a) Kullu Valley
- b) Parvati Valley
- c) Spiti Valley
- d) Kangra Valley
Answer: c) Spiti Valley
- The Bara Shigri Glacier contributes to which river system?
- a) Beas River
- b) Sutlej River
- c) Chenab River
- d) Bhaga River
Answer: c) Chenab River
- Which glacier is located near Rohtang Pass?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Sonapani Glacier
- c) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- d) Pindari Glacier
Answer: c) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- Which glacier is known to feed the Ravi River?
- a) Bhadal Glacier
- b) Bara Shigri Glacier
- c) Miyar Glacier
- d) Sonapani Glacier
Answer: a) Bhadal Glacier
- Chhota Shigri Glacier is located in which district?
- a) Kangra
- b) Kinnaur
- c) Lahaul and Spiti
- d) Mandi
Answer: c) Lahaul and Spiti
- The Miyar Glacier is a major tributary of which river?
- a) Ravi
- b) Beas
- c) Sutlej
- d) Chenab
Answer: d) Chenab
- Which glacier lies in the Dhauladhar Range of Himachal Pradesh?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Sonapani Glacier
- c) Miyar Glacier
- d) Pindari Glacier
Answer: b) Sonapani Glacier
- The Bhadal Glacier is located in which district?
- a) Chamba
- b) Shimla
- c) Kangra
- d) Kullu
Answer: a) Chamba
- Which glacier is the major source of the Bhaga River?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Miyar Glacier
- c) Sonapani Glacier
- d) Chhota Shigri Glacier
Answer: b) Miyar Glacier
- In which mountain range is the Bara Shigri Glacier situated?
- a) Pir Panjal Range
- b) Dhauladhar Range
- c) Zanskar Range
- d) Greater Himalayas
Answer: d) Greater Himalayas
- Which glacier is one of the main sources for the Chenab River?
- a) Pindari Glacier
- b) Miyar Glacier
- c) Bara Shigri Glacier
- d) Gangotri Glacier
Answer: b) Miyar Glacier
- Sonapani Glacier is located in which range?
- a) Pir Panjal
- b) Zanskar
- c) Dhauladhar
- d) Greater Himalayas
Answer: c) Dhauladhar
- Which glacier is situated near Keylong?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- c) Miyar Glacier
- d) Bhadal Glacier
Answer: c) Miyar Glacier
- Bara Shigri Glacier is located in which region?
- a) Kinnaur
- b) Kullu
- c) Spiti
- d) Kangra
Answer: c) Spiti
- Which of the following glaciers is known for its accessibility for trekking?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Pindari Glacier
- c) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- d) Bhadal Glacier
Answer: c) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- Which glacier is situated near the Pin Parvati Pass?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- c) Pindari Glacier
- d) Sonapani Glacier
Answer: a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- The Miyar Glacier is also known as the _ of Himachal Pradesh.
- a) River of Ice
- b) Trekker’s Paradise
- c) Glacier of Dreams
- d) Glacier of Mist
Answer: b) Trekker’s Paradise
- Which glacier in Himachal Pradesh is considered the second-largest?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- c) Pindari Glacier
- d) Sonapani Glacier
Answer: b) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- The Sonapani Glacier is located in which district?
- a) Kangra
- b) Chamba
- c) Lahaul and Spiti
- d) Shimla
Answer: a) Kangra
- Which glacier is most associated with the trekkers who visit Spiti?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Miyar Glacier
- c) Sonapani Glacier
- d) Chhota Shigri Glacier
Answer: d) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- The Bara Shigri Glacier is known for its movement towards which river?
- a) Bhaga
- b) Spiti
- c) Chenab
- d) Sutlej
Answer: b) Spiti
- Which glacier is most popular among mountaineers and trekkers?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- c) Sonapani Glacier
- d) Miyar Glacier
Answer: b) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- The Bhadal Glacier provides water to which river basin?
- a) Beas River
- b) Sutlej River
- c) Ravi River
- d) Chenab River
Answer: c) Ravi River
- Which is the most accessible glacier for trekkers in Himachal Pradesh?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Miyar Glacier
- c) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- d) Bhadal Glacier
Answer: c) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- Bara Shigri Glacier is approximately how long?
- a) 15 km
- b) 25 km
- c) 30 km
- d) 35 km
Answer: c) 30 km
- Which glacier is referred to as the “twin glacier” of Bara Shigri Glacier?
- a) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- b) Pindari Glacier
- c) Miyar Glacier
- d) Bhadal Glacier
Answer: a) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- Which glacier lies near the Manali-Leh Highway?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Miyar Glacier
- c) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- d) Sonapani Glacier
Answer: c) Chhota Shigri Glacier
- Which glacier contributes to the formation of the Spiti River?
- a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- b) Miyar Glacier
- c) Sonapani Glacier
- d) Chhota Shigri Glacier
Answer: a) Bara Shigri Glacier
- The Sonapani Glacier is a smaller glacier in which range?
- a) Pir Panjal Range
- b) Zanskar Range
- c) Dhauladhar Range
- d) Greater Himalayas
Answer: c) Dhauladhar Range
These questions should give you a thorough overview of the major glaciers in Himachal Pradesh and their geographical significance.
Good luck with your studies! Familiarize yourself with these glaciers and hot springs to enhance your knowledge and excel in your exams.