SIACHEN
GLACIER - GEOGRAPHY
News: First
GSI Survey of the Siachen
What's
in the news?
●
In June, 1958, the First Geological Survey
of India (GSI) of the Siachen took place by an Indian geologist, V.K. Raina.
Siachen
Glacier:
●
The Siachen Glacier is the glacier located
in the eastern Karakoram range in
the Himalayas.
●
It is just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between
India and Pakistan ends.
●
It is the longest glacier in Karakoram, which is 78 km long.
●
It is the second longest glacier in the world’s non-polar areas.
●
It falls from an altitude of 5,753m above
sea level at its head by Indira Col on the India-China Border.
Key
takeaways:
●
Since 1948, Siachen has been a major point
of contention between India and Pakistan.
●
The Indian Army initiated operation ‘Meghdoot’ to gain control
over the entire Siachen Glacier.
●
The melting waters of the glacier are the
primary source of the Nubra River in
the Indian region of Ladakh.
○
The Nubra River flows into the Shyok River
which eventually joins the Indus River in Pakistan.
●
India has constructed the world’s highest helipad, known as Point
Sonam, at an elevation of 21,000 feet (6,400m) to support its troops on the
glacier.
●
The world’s
highest telephone booth has also been set up by India on the Siachen
Glacier.