Shigar River is a small right bank tributary of the
Indus River in its branch through
Ladakh in
Jammu and Kashmir. It originates from the
Hispar Glacier at the foot of the Haramosh and Kanjut Sar peaks in northern Ladakh. Then flows towards the south-east and joins the Indus at Skardu, the largest settlement in the tract.
An important tributary of the river originates from the Baltoro Glacier at the base of the Masherbrum Peak and it flows westward to join the main channel of the Shigar in its middle course. Flowing along the steep gradient in its upper and middle courses, the Shigar River formed a small river island at the junction of the main stream with the tributary draining the Baltoro Glacier.
Due to the high altitude and scarcity of rainfall, this area is virtually devoid of a vegetation and human habitation.
