The Himalayan Mountain Range is the origin of numerous glaciers, encompassing about 15,000 of them. There are a wide variety of Himalayan glaciers that store about 12,000 km3 of freshwater. Some of the noticeable glaciers are found in the region of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Listed below are some of the important Himalayan Glaciers:

Siachen Glacier - Located in the extreme north-central part of Jammu and Kashmir near the India and Tibet border, Siachen glacier stretches to a length of about 72 km. It is the largest glacier in the world outside the Polar Regions, situated at an altitude of about 6,000 and 7,000m above sea level.

Baltoro Glacier - Located in Jammu and Kashmir in an area called Baltistan on the southern slopes of the central Karakoram Range, Baltoro glacier stretches to a length of 62 km. It is the second largest glacier in the Himalayan region from which Shigar River, a tributary of the Indus River originates.

Biafo Glacier - Located in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir in an area called Baltistan on the south slopes of the Karakoram Range, Biafo glacier stretches to a length of 60 km. The Shigar River which is the main tributary of the Indus River flows from the Biafo glacier.

Hispar Glacier - Located in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir on southern slopes of the Karakoram Range, Hispar glacier also stretches to a length of 60 km. It is the third largest glacier where there is no vegetation of any kind.

Nubra Glacier - Located in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir on the southern slopes of the Karakoram Range, Nubra Glacier gives birth to Nubra River which flows into the Shyok River. There is no vegetation in this area with its central portion forming a vast snowfield.