The values of mean rate of mass balance of glaciers in Spiti-Lahaul, Himachal PradeshHimachal pradesh (− 0.37 ± 0.09 m w.e.y−1), Nepal (− 0.34 ± 0.09 m w.e.y−1) and Nyainqêntanglha, Tibet (− 0.62 ± 0.23 m w.e.y−1), are in contrast to global mean mass balance of − 0.42 m w.e.y−1 showing that glaciers in northwest and central Himalaya are receding at different rates, whereas glaciers in west Kunlun Shan, Karakoram and east PamirPamir are either in equilibrium or gaining mass. A similar disparity in the mass balance for Ladakh region (Stok glaciers shows − 0.39 ± 0.38 m w.e.y−1 during 2015–2019, Pensilungpa glacierPensilungpa glacier shows − 0.36 ± 0.04 m w.e.y−1 between 2016 and 2019, Rulung glacier shows − 0.11 m w.e.y−1 from 1979 to 1981) and central Himalayan region (Tipra Bank glacier shows − 0.14 m w.e.y−1 between 1981 and 1988, Dunagiri glacier shows − 1.04 m w.e.y−1 between 1984 and 1990, Chorabari shows − 0.73 m w.e.y−1 between 2003 and 2010, Dokriani shows − 0.32 m w.e.y−1 between 1993 and 2014) is recorded. Similar trend is noted in the variation of the velocity of west Nepal (− 21.0 ± 2.3% dec), east Nepal (− 17.0 ± 1.0% dec), Bhutan (− 14.5 ± 1.3% dec) compared to Hindu KushHindu kush (9.8 ± 2.9% dec), PamirPamir (− 9.4 ± 1.6% dec) and Tien Shan (− 6.4 ± 1.0% dec) glaciers. The glaciers of Karakoram and west Kunlun with a surface velocity of 3.6 ± 1.2% dec and 4.0 ± 2.1% dec show a significant speed. Besides the global warming, the thickness of debris cover, a non-climatic tool, controls the melting of glaciers. However, ‘debris cover anomaly’ phenomenon cause no elevation change rates for both debris-covered and clean glaciers in High Mountain Asia. The higher surface area change is associated with glaciers on steep slopes, while no relation is deduced between retreat of terminus and surface slopes. The elevation of ridges, orientation of slope, the amount of winter precipitation and characteristics of summer temperature determine the site, regional pattern and limit of glaciations in Himalaya.