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{{short description|Glacier located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas}}
{{redirect|Siachen|the military conflict over this area|Siachen conflict}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}

{{Infobox glacier
| name           = Siachen Glacier
| photo          = Siachen Glacier Satellite Image, 1.jpg
| photo_caption  = Satellite imagery of the Siachen Glacier
| type           = [[Glacier#Classification by size, shape and behavior|Mountain glacier]]
| location       = [[Karakoram]], [[Ladakh]] (controlled by [[India]], claimed by [[Pakistan]])<!--As per the result of [[Talk:Siachen Glacier#RfC: How should the infobox say that the glacier is disputed ?|this RfC]]. Please do not edit location field without relevant discussion.-->
| image_map      = Kashmir map.svg
| map    = Karakoram#India Ladakh#India#Gilgit Baltistan#Pakistan#China Xinjiang Southern#China
| map_caption    = Location of the Siachen Glacier within the greater [[Karakoram]] region
| label= Siachen Glacier 
| label_position = top
| map_size       = 
| coordinates = {{WikidataCoord|display=it}}
| area           = {{convert|2500|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name=":1">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html | magazine=Time | title=The Himalayas War at the Top of the World | date=31 July 1989 | first=Edward W. | last=Desmond/Kashmir | access-date=11 October 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114104526/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C958254-2%2C00.html | archive-date=14 January 2009 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
| length         = {{convert|76|km|abbr=on}} using the longest route [[River source|as is done when determining river lengths]] or {{convert|70|km|abbr=on}} if measuring from [[Indira Col]]<ref name=TribuneLength>{{cite web
| author         = Dinesh Kumar
| url            = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140413/pers.htm
| title          = 30 Years of the World's Coldest War
| work           = [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]
| location       = [[Chandigarh, India]]
| date           = 13 April 2014
| access-date    = 18 April 2014}}</ref>
| thickness      =
| embedded      = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom=9 |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
}}

The '''Siachen Glacier''' is a [[glacier]] located in the eastern [[Karakoram]] range in the [[Himalayas]] at about {{Coord|35.421226|N|77.109540|E|type:glacier}}, just northeast of the point [[NJ9842]] where the [[Line of Control]] between India and Pakistan ends.<ref name="Lyon"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060504/edit.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Opinions|website=The Tribune}}</ref> At {{convert|76|km|abbr=on}} long, it is the longest [[glacier]] in the Karakoram and [[List of glaciers#List of longest glaciers on Earth in non-polar regions|second-longest in the world's non-polar areas]].<ref>Siachen Glacier is {{convert|76|km|abbr=on}} long; Tajikistan's [[Fedchenko Glacier]] is {{convert|77|km|abbr=on}} long. The second longest in the Karakoram Mountains is the Biafo Glacier at {{convert|63|km|abbr=on}}. Measurements are from recent imagery, supplemented with Russian 1:200,000 scale topographic mapping as well as the 1990 "Orographic Sketch Map: Karakoram: Sheet 2", Swiss Foundation for Alpine Research, Zurich.</ref> It falls from an altitude of 5,753&nbsp;m (18,875&nbsp;ft) above sea level at its head at [[Indira Col]] on the India–China border down to 3,620&nbsp;m (11,875&nbsp;ft) at its [[glacier terminus|terminus]]. The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, has been under the administration of India as part of the union territory of [[Ladakh]], located in the [[Kashmir]] region [[Operation Meghdoot|since 1984]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1141375|title=Siachen: The place of wild roses|first1=Feryal Ali|last1=Gauhar |first2=Ahmed|last2=Yusuf|date=2 November 2014|access-date=4 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-26967340|title=Siachen dispute: India and Pakistan's glacial fight|first=Andrew|last=North|date=12 April 2014|access-date=4 August 2017|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-gained-control-over-Siachen-in-1984/articleshow/12589168.cms|title=India gained control over Siachen in 1984|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=9 April 2012 |access-date=4 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/blog/the-siachen-story-then-and-now-755796|title=Blog: The Siachen Story, Then And Now|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> Pakistan maintains a territorial claim over the Siachen Glacier<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1572590|title=In landmark move, PM Imran unveils 'new political map' of Pakistan|first=Naveed|last=Siddiqui|work=Dawn|date=4 August 2020|access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref> and controls the region west of [[Saltoro Ridge]], lying west of the glacier,<ref name="Beyond NJ 9842">{{Cite book |title=Beyond NJ 9842: The SIACHEN Saga |last=Gokhale |first=Nitin A |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2015 |isbn=9789384052263 |page=364}}</ref> with Pakistani posts located 1&nbsp;km below more than 100 Indian posts on the ridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/comment/life-death-in-worlds-highest-combat-zone-197642|title=Life & death in world's highest combat zone|first=Tribune News|last=Service|website=Tribuneindia News Service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/siachen-deaths-harden-resolve-to-hold-glacier-army-chief/story-gor3vVpSN9B8u3SsySsByI.html|title=Siachen deaths harden resolve to hold glacier: Army chief|date=18 February 2016|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

The Siachen Glacier lies immediately south of the great [[drainage divide]] that separates the [[Eurasian Plate]] from the [[Indian subcontinent]] in the extensively [[glaciers|glaciated]] portion of the Karakoram sometimes called the "[[Third Pole]]". The glacier lies between the Saltoro Ridge immediately to the west and the main Karakoram range to the east. The Saltoro Ridge originates in the north from the [[Sia Kangri]] peak on the China border in the Karakoram range. The crest of the Saltoro Ridge's altitudes range from 5,450 to 7,720 m (17,880 to 25,330 feet). The major passes on this ridge are, from north to south, [[Sia La]] at 5,589&nbsp;m (18,336&nbsp;ft), [[Bilafond La]] at 5,450&nbsp;m (17,880&nbsp;ft), and [[Gyong La]] at 5,689&nbsp;m (18,665&nbsp;ft). The average winter [[snowfall]] is more than 1000&nbsp;cm (35&nbsp;ft) and temperatures can dip to {{convert|-50|C}}. Including all tributary glaciers, the Siachen Glacier system covers about {{convert|700|km2|abbr=on}}.

== Etymology ==
[[File:Un-kashmir-jammu.png|thumb|right|UN map of the [[Line of Control]] in Kashmir, which ends at the point NJ980420]]
[[File:Map India and Pakistan 1-250,000 Tile NI 43-4 Chulung.jpg|left|thumb|Historical map including Siachen Glacier ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1953){{efn|From map: "THE DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES ON THIS MAP MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"}}]]
[[File:Txu-oclc-6654394-ni-43-5th-ed.jpg|left|thumb|Historical map including Siachen Glacier ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1966){{efn|From map: "THE DELINEATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AUTHORITATIVE"}}]]

"Sia" in the [[Balti dialect|Balti]] language refers to the [[rose]] family plant widely dispersed in the region. "Chen" refers to any object found in abundance. Thus the name Siachen refers to a land with an abundance of roses. The naming of the glacier itself, or at least its currency, is attributed to [[Tom Longstaff]].

== Dispute ==
Both India and Pakistan [[Siachen conflict|claim sovereignty]] over the entire Siachen region.<ref name="Lyon">{{Cite book
  |last = Lyon
  |first = Peter
  |title = Conflict Between India and Pakistan: An Encyclopedia
  |publisher = ABC-CLIO, 2009
  |isbn = 9781576077122|year = 2008
 }}</ref> In June 1958, first [[Geological Survey of India]] expedition went to the Siachen glacier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-first-gsi-survey-of-the-siachen/article67077315.ece|title=The first GSI survey of the Siachen|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=13 July 2023 |last1=Paul |first1=Amit K. }}</ref> It was the first official Indian survey of Siachen Glacier by Geological Survey of India post-1947 and that was undertaken to commemorate the [[International Geophysical Year]] in 1958. The study included snout surveying of five glaciers namely Siachen, [[Mamostong Kangri|Mamostong]], [[Chong Kumdang Ri|Chong Kumdan]], Kichik Kumdan and Aktash Glaciers in Ladakh region. 5Q 131 05 084  was the number assigned to the Siachen glacier by the expedition. [[United States|U.S.]] and Pakistani maps in the 1970s and 1980s consistently showed a dotted line from [[NJ9842]] (the northernmost demarcated point of the India-Pakistan cease-fire line, also known as the [[Line of Control]]) to the [[Karakoram Pass]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/kumars-line-vs-hodgsons-line-the-lakshman-rekha-that-started-an-india-pakistan-fight/791557/|title=Kumar's line vs Hodgson's line: The 'Lakshman rekha' that started an India-Pakistan fight|date=31 December 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/151022/how-india-got-hodgsons-line-erased-and-won-the-race-to-siachen.html|title=How India got Hodgson's Line erased and won the race to Siachen|date=15 October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/graphics/the-cartographic-nightmare-of-the-kashmir-region-explained-feature|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218093527/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/graphics/the-cartographic-nightmare-of-the-kashmir-region-explained-feature|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2021|title=The 'cartographic nightmare' of the Kashmir region, explained|website=[[National Geographic Society]] }}</ref> which India believed to be a cartographic error and in violation of the [[Simla Agreement]]. In 1984, India launched [[Operation Meghdoot]], a military operation that gave India control over all of the Siachen Glacier, including its tributaries.<ref name="Lyon" /><ref>{{Cite book
  |last = Wirsing
  |first = Robert
  |title = War Or Peace on the Line of Control?: The India-Pakistan Dispute Over Kashmir Turns Fifty
  |publisher = IBRU, 1998
  |isbn = 9781897643310|year = 1998
 }}</ref> Between 1984 and 1999, frequent skirmishes took place between India and Pakistan.<ref name="Dettman">{{Cite book
  |last = Dettman
  |first = Paul
  |title = India Changes Course: Golden Jubilee to Millennium
  |publisher = Greenwood Publishing Group, 2001
  |isbn = 9780275973087|year = 2001
 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110602/edit.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Opinions|website=The Tribune}}</ref> Indian troops under Operation Meghdoot pre-empted Pakistan's Operation Ababeel by just one day to occupy most of the dominating heights on [[Saltoro Ridge]] to the west of Siachen Glacier.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Siachen-height-provides-military-depth-India-cant-afford-to-lose/articleshow/50953480.cms|title=Siachen height provides military depth India can't afford to lose &#124; India News|website=The Times of India|date=12 February 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/story-of-saltoro----from-ababeel-to-meghdoot/160184|title=Story of Saltoro – From Ababeel to Meghdoot|date=26 April 2012|website=mid-day}}</ref> However, more soldiers have died from the harsh weather conditions in the region than from combat.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/08/world/la-fg-pakistan-avalanche-20120408|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date= 8 April 2012|access-date=14 April 2012|first=Alex|last=Rodriguez|title=Avalanche buries Pakistan base; 117 soldiers feared dead}}</ref> Pakistan lost 353 soldiers in various operations recorded between 2003 and 2010 near Siachen, including 140 Pakistanis killed in the [[2012 Gayari Sector avalanche]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/bleeding-in-siachen-pakistan-losing-30-soldiers-a-year-on-highest-battlefield/articleshow/49012146.cms|title=Bleeding in Siachen: Pakistan losing 30 soldiers a year on highest battlefield|first=Manu|last=Pubby|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=18 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/photos/news/rescue-operations-at-gayari-sector-after-pakistan-avalanche-12822|title=Rescue operations at Gayari Sector after Pakistan avalanche, Photo Gallery|work=NDTV.com}}</ref> Between January 2012 and July 2015, 33 Indian soldiers died due to adverse weather.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/33-indian-soldiers-killed-in-siachen-since-2012-govt-115073101052_1.html|title=33 Indian soldiers killed in Siachen since 2012: govt|agency=Press Trust of India|date=31 July 2015|work=Business Standard}}</ref> In December 2015, Indian Union Minister of State for Defence [[Rao Inderjit Singh]] said in a written reply in the [[Lok Sabha]] that a total of 869 Army personnel have died on the Siachen glacier due to climatic conditions and environmental and other factors from the date that the Army launched Operation Meghdoot in 1984.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-siachen-869-army-men-died-battling-the-elements/article7978149.ece|title=In Siachen, 869 Army men died battling the elements|author=Dinakar Peri|work=The Hindu|date=11 December 2015 }}</ref> In February 2016, Indian Defence Minister [[Manohar Parrikar]] stated that India will not vacate Siachen, as there is a trust deficit with Pakistan and also said that 915 people have died in Siachen since Operation Meghdoot in 1984.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Wont-vacate-Siachen-we-cant-trust-Pakistan-says-Manohar-Parrikar/articleshow/51158511.cms|title=Won't vacate Siachen, we can't trust Pakistan, says Manohar Parrikar &#124; India News|website=The Times of India|date=26 February 2016 }}</ref> According to official records, only 220 Indian soldiers have been killed by enemy bullets since 1984 in Siachen area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/blogs/isro-space-technology-siachen-india-army-soldiers/|title=Here's how ISRO's space technology can save lives of soldiers at Siachen|date=3 April 2016}}</ref> Both India and Pakistan continue to deploy thousands of troops in the vicinity of Siachen and attempts to demilitarize the region have been so far unsuccessful. Prior to 1984, neither country had any military forces in this area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/04/07/f-siachen-glacier-kashmir.html|title=Kashmir's Siachen glacier a frigid outpost in India-Pakistan conflict|date=7 April 2012|newspaper=CBC Canada|access-date=14 April 2012}}</ref><ref name="Eur">{{Cite book
  |last = Eur
  |title = Far East and Australasia 2003
  |publisher = Routledge, 2002
  |isbn = 9781857431339|year =2002
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/siachen-a-huge-human-cost-for-a-piece-of-ice/445641-3-245.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117123532/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/siachen-a-huge-human-cost-for-a-piece-of-ice/445641-3-245.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-01-17|title=- News18}}</ref>

Aside from the Indian and Pakistani military presence, the glacier region is unpopulated. The nearest civilian settlement is the village of [[Warshi]], 10 miles downstream from the Indian base camp.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1998/98aug29/saturday/head2.htm|title=World's highest, biggest junkyard|newspaper=The Tribune|date= 29 August 1998|access-date=8 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/368394/the-fight-for-siachen/|title=The fight for Siachen|date=22 April 2012|work=The Express Tribune}}</ref> The region is also extremely remote, with limited road connectivity. On the Indian side, roads go only as far as the military base camp at Dzingrulma ({{Coord|35.1663|N|77.2162|E}}), 72&nbsp;km from the head of the glacier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmc.sandia.gov/cmc-papers/sand20075670.pdf|title=Demilitarization of the Siachen Conflict Zone: Concepts for Implementation and Monitoring|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417040258/http://www.cmc.sandia.gov/cmc-papers/sand20075670.pdf|archive-date=17 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1247951|title=Settle Siachen|first=A. G.|last=Noorani|date=26 March 2016|website=Dawn|location=Pakistan}}</ref> The Indian Army has developed various means to reach the Siachen region, including the [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]]-[[Leh]]-[[Khardung La]]-Siachen route. In 2012, [[Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army]] [[Bikram Singh (general)|General Bikram Singh]] said that the Indian Army should stay in the region for strategic advantages, and because a "lot of blood has been shed" by Indian armed personnel for Siachen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-19/news/33952523_1_siachen-issue-bikram-singh-present-troop-positions|title=India must continue to hold on to Siachen: Bikram Singh, Army Chief General|work=timesofindia-economictimes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-should-stay-put-in-siachen-says-general-bikram-singh/article4130883.ece|title=Army should stay put in Siachen, says General Bikram Singh|author=Mohamed Nazeer|work=The Hindu|date=24 November 2012 }}</ref> The present ground positions, relatively stable for over a decade, mean that India maintains control over all of the {{convert|76|km|mi}} Siachen Glacier and all of its tributary glaciers, as well as all the main passes and heights of the Saltoro Ridge<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/846-indian-soldiers-have-died-in-siachen-since-1984-112082802005_1.html|title=846 Indian soldiers have died in Siachen since 1984|first=Ajai|last=Shukla|date=28 August 2012|work=Business Standard}}</ref> immediately west of the glacier, including [[Sia La]], [[Bilafond La]], [[Gyong La]], Yarma La (6,100m), and {{ILL|Chulung La|ceb}} (5,800m).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110606/edit.htm|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Opinions|website=The Tribune}}</ref> Pakistan controls the glacial valleys immediately west of the Saltoro Ridge.<ref>{{cite book  |last = Wirsing  |first = Robert  |title = Pakistan's security under Zia, 1977–1988: the policy imperatives of a peripheral Asian state  |publisher = Palgrave Macmillan, 1991  |isbn = 9780312060671|date = 13 December 1991 }}</ref><ref name="Child">{{cite book  |last = Child  |first = Greg  |title = Thin air: encounters in the Himalayas  |publisher = The Mountaineers Books, 1998  |isbn = 9780898865882  |url-access = registration  |url = https://archive.org/details/thinairencounter00chil  |year = 1998 }}</ref> According to [[TIME magazine|''TIME'' magazine]], India gained over {{convert|1000|sqmi|km2|sigfig=1}} in territory because of its 1980s military operations in Siachen.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312141921/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,958254-2,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 March 2007 | magazine=Time | title=The Himalayas War at the Top of the World | date=31 July 1989}}</ref> India has categorically stated that India will not pull its army from Siachen until the 110-km long [[Actual Ground Position Line|AGPL]] is first authenticated, delineated and then demarcated.<ref name="They shall not pass">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19920531-siachen-while-the-battle-continues-to-rage-no-settlement-is-in-sight-766379-2013-06-13|title=Siachen: While the battle continues to rage, no settlement is in sight|author=W. P. S. Sidhu |date=June 13, 2013 |magazine=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timescrest.com/opinion/bullish-on-siachen-9572|title=Bullish on Siachen|author=Praveen Dass|work=The Crest Edition|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222021918/http://www.timescrest.com/opinion/bullish-on-siachen-9572|archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Sia plant.jpg|thumbnail|Sia plant in [[Khaplu]]. [[Balti people]] grow this rose family in their houses as decoration, and its bark is used in ''payo cha'' ([[butter tea]]) instead of green tea leaves in some areas]]

The [[Karachi Agreement|1949 Karachi agreement]] only carefully delineated the line of separation to point [[NJ9842]], after which, the agreement states, the line of separation would continue "thence north to the glaciers".<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/19871031-siachen-glacier-indian-troops-repulse-major-pakistani-offensive-799435-1987-10-31|title=Siachen glacier: Indian troops repulse major Pakistani offensive|author=Raj Chengappa |date=October 31, 1987 |magazine=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/events/riding-on/article5664702.ece|title=Riding on|author=P. ANIMA|work=The Hindu|date=7 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/army-opposes-pakistans-demand-for-troop-withdrawal-from-siachen-glacier/1203767/|title=Army opposes Pakistan's demand for troop withdrawal from Siachen Glacier – Indian Express|website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=UN Map showing CFL as per Karachi Agreement – UN document number S/1430/Add.2|url=http://repository.un.org/bitstream/handle/11176/87063/S_1430_Add.2-EN.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y|website=Dag Digital Library|access-date=30 May 2015}}</ref> According to the Indian stance, the line of separation should continue roughly northwards along the [[Saltoro Mountains|Saltoro Range]] to the west of the Siachen glacier beyond NJ9842;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/column/why-india-cannot-afford-to-give-up-siachen/20120413.htm|title=Why India cannot afford to give up Siachen|date=13 April 2012|work=Rediff}}</ref> international boundary lines that follow mountain ranges often do so by following the watershed [[drainage divide]]<ref name="They shall not pass" /> such as that of the Saltoro Range.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gktoday.in/gk/siachen-glacier-dispute/|title=Siachen Glacier Dispute – GKToday}}</ref> The 1972 [[Simla Agreement]] made no change to the 1949 Line of Control in this northernmost sector.

== Drainage ==
[[File:Shyok2.svg|thumb|right|Siachen glacier is a source to the Nubra River which later joins the Shyok River.]]
The glacier's melting waters are the main source of the [[Nubra River]] in the Indian region of [[Ladakh]], which drains into the [[Shyok River]]. The Shyok in turn joins the 3000 kilometre-long [[Indus River]] which flows through Pakistan. Thus, the glacier is a major source of the Indus<ref name=Sadangi>{{cite book|author=H.C. Sadangi|title=India's Relations with Her Neighbours|date=31 March 2007|publisher=Isha Books|isbn=978-8182054387|page=219|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-VUgSG8bcP0C&q=Indus+river+siachen&pg=PA219|access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> and feeds the largest irrigation system in the world.<ref name="Rashid Faruqee">{{cite book|author=Rashid Faruqee|title=Strategic Reforms for Agricultural Growth in Pakistan|date=November 1999|publisher=World Bank Publications|isbn=978-0821343364|page=87|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0sQIL357hkMC&q=Indus+river+irrigated+area&pg=PA87|access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref>

== Environmental issues ==
The glacier was uninhabited before 1984, and the presence of thousands of troops since then has introduced pollution and melting to the glacier. To support the troops, glacial ice has been cut and melted with chemicals.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}

Dumping of non-[[biodegradable waste]] in large quantities and the use of arms and ammunition have considerably affected the ecosystem of the region.<ref name=ActionAid>{{cite book|author=ActionAid|title=Natural Resource Management in South Asia|year=2010|publisher=Pearson Education|isbn=978-8131729434|page=58|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Wn-yO5iSgsC&pg=PA58|access-date=27 April 2012|author-link=ActionAid}}</ref>

=== Glacial retreat ===
Preliminary findings of a survey by [[Pakistan Meteorological Department]] in 2007 revealed that the Siachen glacier has been retreating for the past 30 years and is melting at an alarming rate.<ref name="K.R. Gupta">{{cite book|author=K.R. Gupta|title=Global Warming (Encyclopaedia of Environment)|year=2008|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distributors|isbn=978-8126908813|pages=105–112|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vza8kSHGS90C&pg=PA105|access-date=25 April 2012}}</ref> The study of satellite images of the glacier showed that the glacier is retreating at a rate of about 110 metres a year and that the glacier size has decreased by almost 35 percent.<ref name=Sadangi/><ref name="Y. S. Rao">{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-9048126415|pages=1138–1142|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mKKtQR4T-1MC&pg=PA1139|author=Y. S. Rao|editor=Vijay P. Singh|access-date=30 April 2012|chapter=Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry for Glacier Movement Studies|date=3 November 2011}}</ref> In an eleven-year period, the glacier had receded nearly 800 metres,<ref name="Harish Kapadia">{{cite book|title=Meeting the Mountains|date=March 1998|publisher=Indus Publishing Company|isbn=978-8173870859|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xd1Iwwc6AZwC&pg=PA266|author=Harish Kapadia|author-link=Harish Kapadia|edition=1st|access-date=30 April 2012|page=275}}</ref> and in seventeen years about 1700 metres. It is predicted that the glaciers of the Siachen region will be reduced to about one-fifth of their 2011 size by 2035.<ref name="Daniel Moran">{{cite book|title=Climate Change and National Security: A Country-Level Analysis|publisher=Georgetown University Press|isbn=978-1589017412|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3B0kph7i_XYC&pg=PA86|author=Daniel Moran|access-date=8 May 2012|page=86|date=22 March 2011}}</ref> In the twenty-nine-year period 1929–1958, well before the military occupation, the glacial retreat was recorded to be about 914 metres.<ref name="K.S. Gulia">{{cite book|title=Discovering Himalaya : Tourism of Himalaya Region|publisher=Isha Books|isbn=978-8182054103|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ugFIz7ph-kEC|author=K.S. Gulia|access-date=10 May 2012|page=92|date=2 September 2007}}</ref> One of the reasons theorized for the recent glacial retreat is chemical blasting, to construct [[Military camp|camps]] and [[Outpost (military)|posts]].<ref name="News Today:Siachen">{{cite news|title=Snow white coffins of Siachen|url=http://www.newstoday.com.bd/?option=details&news_id=2310501&date=2012-04-22|access-date=30 April 2012|newspaper=The News Today|date=22 April 2012}}</ref> In 2001 India laid oil pipelines (about 250 kilometres long) inside the glacier to supply kerosene and aviation fuel to the outposts from base camps.<ref name="News Today:Siachen"/><ref name=Sandia>{{cite web|title=Demilitarization of the Siachen Conflict Zone: Concepts for Implementation and Monitoring|url=http://www.cmc.sandia.gov/cmc-papers/sand20075670.pdf|publisher=Sandia National Laboratories|access-date=30 April 2012|author=Asad Hakeem, Gurmeet Kanwal|author2=Michael Vannoni|author3=Gaurav Rajen|location=Albuquerque, New Mexico|page=28|id=SAND2007-5670|date=September 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417040258/http://www.cmc.sandia.gov/cmc-papers/sand20075670.pdf|archive-date=17 April 2012}}</ref> As of 2007, the temperature rise at Siachen was estimated at 0.2-degree Celsius annually, causing melting, avalanches, and crevasses in the glacier.<ref name="Isa Daudpota"/>

=== Waste dumping ===
The waste produced by the troops stationed there is dumped in the crevasses of the glacier. Mountaineers who visited the area while on climbing expeditions witnessed large amount of garbage, [[Cartridge (firearms)|empty ammunition shells]], [[parachute]]s etc. dumped on the glacier, that neither decomposes nor can be burned because of the extreme climatic conditions.<ref name="Harish Kapadia 2">{{cite book|title=Across Peaks & Passes in Ladakh, Zanskar & East Karakoram|publisher=Indus Publishing Company|isbn=978-8173871009|pages=189–190|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pl5qHu_K45kC&pg=PA171|author=Harish Kapadia|author-link=Harish Kapadia|access-date=30 April 2012|date=30 November 1999}}</ref> About {{convert|1000|kg|short ton}} of waste is produced and dumped in glacial crevasses daily by Indian forces.<ref name="K.R. Gupta"/> The Indian army is said to have planned a "Green Siachen, Clean Siachen" campaign to airlift the garbage from the glacier, and to use [[Anaerobic digestion|biodigestors]] for biodegradable waste in the absence of oxygen and freezing temperatures.<ref name="Dawn: Siachen melting">{{cite news|title=Military activity leads to melting of Siachen glaciers|url=http://archives.dawn.com/weekly/science/archive/070324/science11.htm|access-date=25 April 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=24 March 2007}}</ref> Almost forty percent (40%) of the waste left at the glacier is plastic and metal, including toxins such as cobalt, cadmium and chromium that eventually affect the water of the [[Shyok River]] (which ultimately enters the Indus River near [[Skardu]]). The Indus is used for drinking and irrigation.<ref name="Kemkar">{{cite journal |author=Neal A. Kemkar|year=2006|title=Environmental peacemaking: Ending conflict between India and Pakistan on the Siachen Glacier through the creation of a transboundary peace park|journal=Stanford Environmental Law Journal|volume=25|issue=1|pages=67–121|location=Stanford, California|publisher=Stanford University School of Law|id=ANA-074909|access-date=25 April 2012|url=http://www.uvm.edu/~shali/kemkar_siachen.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Outside:Coldest war">{{cite journal|title=The Coldest War|journal=[[Outside (magazine)|Outside]]|date=1 February 2003|url=http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/123274783.html?page=all|access-date=30 April 2012|author=Kevin Fedarko|editor1-first=Nicholas|editor1-last=Jackson|publisher=Mariah Media Network|issn=0278-1433|asin=B001OTEIG8}}</ref> Research is being done by scientists of [[The Energy and Resources Institute]], to find ways to successfully dispose of the garbage generated at the glacier using scientific means.<ref name="Supriya Bezbaruah"/> Some scientists of the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] who went on an expedition to Antarctica are also working to produce a bacterium that can thrive in extreme weather conditions and can be helpful in decomposing the biodegradable waste naturally.<ref name="Mahendra Gaur">{{cite book|title=Indian Affairs Annual 2006|publisher=Kalpaz Publications|isbn=978-8178355290|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cN2d9IIrTO0C&pg=PA84|author=Mahendra Gaur|access-date=11 May 2012|page=84|date=8 August 2006}}</ref>

=== Fauna and flora ===
The [[flora]] and [[fauna]] of the Siachen region are also affected by the huge military presence.<ref name="Kemkar"/> The region is home to rare species including [[snow leopard]], [[brown bear]] and [[ibex]] that are at risk because of the military presence.<ref name="Supriya Bezbaruah">{{cite news|title=Siachen Snow Under Fire|url=http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20041101/environment.html|access-date=6 May 2012|newspaper=India Today|date=1 November 2004|author=Supriya Bezbaruah}}</ref><ref name="Emmanuel Duparcq">{{cite news|title=Siachen tragedy&nbsp;– day 5: Bad weather dogs avalanche search efforts|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/362986/siachen-tragedy-day-5-bad-weather-dogs-pakistan-avalanche-search-efforts/|access-date=20 May 2012|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=11 April 2012|author=Emmanuel Duparcq|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref>

== Border conflict ==
{{Main|Siachen conflict}}
The glacier's region is the highest battleground on Earth,<ref name="Kamal Thakur">{{cite news|title=16 Things You Should Know About India's Soldiers Defending Siachen|url=http://topyaps.com/know-about-indian-soldiers-in-siachen|access-date=16 May 2014|newspaper=Topyaps|date=1 November 2014|author=Kamal Thakur}}</ref> where Pakistan and India have fought intermittently since April 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/how-a-tiny-line-on-a-map-led-to-conflict-in-the-himalaya-feature?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218151854/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/how-a-tiny-line-on-a-map-led-to-conflict-in-the-himalaya-feature|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2021|title=How a tiny line on a map led to conflict in the Himalaya|website=[[National Geographic Society]] }}</ref> Both countries maintain a permanent military presence in the region at a height of over {{convert|6000|m|abbr=on}}.

Both India and Pakistan have wished to disengage from the costly military outposts. However, after the Pakistani incursions during the [[Kargil War]] in 1999, India abandoned plans to withdraw from Siachen without official recognition of the current line of control by Pakistan, wary of further Pakistani incursions if they vacate the Siachen Glacier posts without such recognition.

Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] became the first [[Prime Minister of India|Indian Prime Minister]] to visit the area, during which he called for a peaceful resolution of the problem. After that present Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] also visited this place. [[President of Pakistan]] [[Asif Ali Zardari]] also visited an area near the Siachen Glacier called [[2012 Gayari Sector avalanche|Gayari Sector]] during 2012 with Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/366395/siachen-tragedy-zardari-kayani-visit-giari-sector/|title=Pakistan wants resolution of Siachen issue: Kayani|date=18 April 2012|work=The Express Tribune}}</ref> Both of them showed their commitment to resolve the Siachen conflict as early as possible. In the previous year, the [[President of India]], [[Abdul Kalam]] became the first [[head of state]] to visit the area.

Since September 2007, India has opened up limited mountaineering and trekking expeditions to the area. The first group included cadets from [[Chail Military School]], [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]], [[National Cadet Corps (India)|National Cadet Corps]], [[Indian Military Academy]], [[Rashtriya Indian Military College]] and family members of armed forces officers. The expeditions are also meant to show to the international audience that Indian troops hold "almost all dominating heights" on the key Saltoro Ridge and to show that Pakistani troops are nowhere near the Siachen Glacier.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121024115859/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-09-13/india/27962396_1_glacial-heights-siachen-glacier-saltoro-ridge-audience-that-indian-troops India opens Siachen to trekkers] ''[[The Times of India]]'' 13 September 2007</ref> Ignoring protests from Pakistan, India maintains that it does not need anyone's approval to send trekkers to Siachen, in what it says is essentially its own territory.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121024115908/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-09-17/india/27962954_1_siachen-charuhas-joshi-mukund-deodhar India hits back at Pak over Siachen issue] ''[[The Times of India]]'' 17 September 2007</ref> In addition, the [[Indian Army]]'s Army Mountaineering Institute (AMI) functions out of the region.

== Peace Park proposal ==
[[File:Army Jawans performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga – 2017, at Siachen on June 21, 2017 (<span class="ltr">1</span>).jpg|right|thumb|[[Indian Army]] Jawans performing yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd [[International Day of Yoga]] – 2017, at Siachen on June 21, 2017]]
The idea of declaring the Siachen region a "Peace Park" was presented by environmentalists and peace activists in part to preserve the ecosystem of the region badly affected by the military presence.<ref name="Teresita C. Schaffer">{{cite book|title=Kashmir: The Economics of Peace Building|publisher=Center for Strategic & International Studies|isbn=978-0892064809|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3vBIxiC4pwcC&pg=PA57|author=Teresita C. Schaffer|access-date=30 April 2012|page=57|date=20 December 2005}}</ref> In September 2003, the governments of India and Pakistan were urged by the participants of the 5th World Parks Congress held at [[Durban]], to establish a peace park in the Siachen region to restore the natural biological system and protect species whose lives are at risk.<ref name="Isa Daudpota">{{cite news|title=Exchange Siachen confrontation for peace|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/16/stories/2007021604381100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220203233/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/16/stories/2007021604381100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2007|access-date=6 May 2012|date=16 February 2007|author=Isa Daudpota|author2=Arshad H. Abbasi|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Italian ecologist [[:it:Giuliano Tallone|Giuliano Tallone]] said the ecological life was at serious risk, and proposed setting up a ''Siachen Peace Park'' at the conference.<ref name="Sujan Dutta">{{cite news|title=Out of the box ideas for glacier: Siachen could become bio reserve or peace park|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050614/asp/nation/story_4865292.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108133629/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050614/asp/nation/story_4865292.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 January 2014|access-date=20 May 2012|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=14 June 2005|author=Sujan Dutta|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref> After a proposal of a [[Transboundary Protected Area|transboundary Peace Park]] was floated, the [[Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme|International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation]] (UIAA) and the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN) organised a conference at [[Geneva]] and invited Indian and Pakistani mountaineers ([[Mandip Singh Soin]], [[Harish Kapadia]], [[Nazir Sabir]] and Sher Khan).<ref name="Harish Kapadia:Peace Proposal">{{cite book|title=Incredible Himalayas|publisher=Indus Books|isbn=978-8173871795|pages=213–217|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y5CXbqpzmhIC&pg=PA214
|author=Harish Kapadia|editor=Yogendra Bali, R. S. Somi|access-date=30 April 2012|chapter=Chapter 34: Siachen: A Peace Proposal|date=1 December 2005}}</ref> The region was nominated for inclusion in the [[United Nations]]' [[World Heritage List]] as a part of the [[Karakoram]] range, but this was deferred by the [[World Heritage Committee]].<ref name="IUCN: Deferred sites">{{cite web|title=Sites deferred by the Committee which may merit re-nomination|url=http://data.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/WH-WP-006.pdf|work=A Global Overview of Mountain Protected Areas on the World Heritage List|publisher=[[International Union for Conservation of Nature]]|access-date=30 April 2012|author=Jim Thorsell|author2=Larry Hamilton |page=15|date=September 2002}}</ref> The areas to the east and west of the Siachen region have already been declared national parks: the [[Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary]] in India and the [[Central Karakoram National Park]] in Pakistan.<ref name="G. Tamburelli">{{cite book|title=Biodiversity conservation and protected areas|publisher=Giuffrè|isbn=978-8814133657|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtSVDINvVqkC&pg=PA6|author=G. Tamburelli|access-date=30 April 2012|page=6|date=1 January 2007}}</ref>

[[Sandia National Laboratories]] organised conferences where military experts and environmentalists from both India and Pakistan and also from other countries were invited to present joint papers. Kent L. Biringer, a researcher at Cooperative Monitoring Center of Sandia Labs suggested setting up ''Siachen Science Center'', a high-altitude research centre where scientists and researchers from both the countries can carry out research activities<ref name="Sujan Dutta"/> related to glaciology, geology, atmospheric sciences and other related fields.<ref name="Kent L. Biringer">{{cite book|title=Siachen Science Center: A concept for cooperation at the top of the world (Cooperative Monitoring Center Occasional Paper No. SAND—98-0505/2, 589204)|publisher=Sandia National Laboratories|url=http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/589204|date= 1 March 1998|author=K. L. Biringer|doi=10.2172/589204 |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="Wajahat Ali">{{cite news|title=US expert at Sandia wants Siachen converted into Science Centre|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_20-8-2004_pg7_38|access-date=20 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=20 August 2004|author=Wajahat Ali}}</ref> 

== In popular culture ==
The Siachen glacier was mentioned in the 2018 Hollywood movie ''[[Mission: Impossible – Fallout]]'' starring [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Henry Cavill]]. In the movie's climax, rogue agent Walker (Cavill) plants nuclear bombs at the base of Siachen glacier. The scene however was actually filmed in [[Preikestolen]], [[Norway]] because the Indian government denied the movie makers permission to film in Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Cruise's mission impossible... |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/tom-cruise-s-mission-impossible-fallout-has-no-mention-of-kashmir-thanks-to-cbfc/story-708PY4TkngxNNHpSGbNsFO_amp.html&ved=2ahUKEwj2rJWu2M-BAxWPavUHHX05DFEQFnoECCcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1jcXR7lGccDtk2auhU28i0 |website=Hindustan Times| date=27 July 2018 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Batura Glacier]]
* [[Colonel Narendra Kumar]]
* [[NJ9842]]
* [[Indira Col]]
* [[Robert D. Hodgson]]
* [[Baltoro Glacier]]
* [[Saltoro Kangri]]
* [[Sia La]]
* [[Bilafond La]]
* [[Gyong La]]
* [[Actual Ground Position Line]]
* [[2016 Siachen Glacier avalanche]]
* [[Siachen Muztagh]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Myra MacDonald (2008) ''Heights of Madness: One Woman's Journey in Pursuit of a Secret War'', Rupa, New Delhi {{ISBN|8129112922}}. The first full account of the Siachen war to be told from the Indian and Pakistani sides.
* [[V. R. Raghavan]], ''Siachen: Conflict Without End'', Viking, New Delhi, 2002
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111215024320/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1079528,00.html TIME Asia's cover story on Siachen Glacier (July 11, 2005)]
* Kunal Verma / Rajiv Williams, ''The Long Road to Siachen: the Question Why'', Rupa & Co., New Delhi, 2010
* [http://washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050418-071954-5399r.htm Analysis: Peace may return to Siachen]&nbsp;– ''[[The Washington Times]]''
* [http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=155765&Cat=9&dt=1/6/2009'' Siachen by Arshad H Abbasi'']

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPANLHtQGE Video about the Conflict in the Siachen area and its consequences]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070821140939/http://www.uvm.edu/~envprog/k2peacepark.htm Siachen Peace Park Initiative]
* [http://outsideonline.com/outside/features/200302/200302_siachen_1.html Outside magazine article about Siachen battleground]
* [[BBC News]] report: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4581615.stm Nuclear rivals in Siachen talks]; 26 May 2005
* [https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/siachen/290-confrontation.html Confrontation at Siachen], Bharat Rakshak. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807102107/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/History/1984/290-Confrontation.html |date=7 August 2009}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120410054844/http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/04/07/siachen-glacier/ ''National Geographic'' article: Siachen Glacier Tragedy]

{{Ladakh}}
{{Hydrography of Ladakh}}
{{Regions and administrative territories of Kashmir}}
{{Indian Air Force}}
{{Asia in topic|Environmental issues in}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Siachen Glacier| ]]
[[Category:Glaciers of the Karakoram]]
[[Category:Glaciers of Ladakh]]
[[Category:Subregions of Kashmir]]
[[Category:Disputed territories in Asia]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan border]]
[[Category:China–India border]]