Which of the following pairs of Himalayan Passes and the Ranges in which they are located is/are correctly matched?

1. Zoji La - Great Himalayas

2. Banihal Pass - Pir Panjal Range

3. Photu La - Ladakh Range

4. Khardung La - Karakoram Range

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Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

NDA-II 2024 (GAT) Official Paper (Held On: 01 Sept, 2024)

Answer 1

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

Key Points

Zoji La is correctly matched with the Great Himalayas.
- It is located at an altitude of 3,528 meters, connecting Srinagar to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.
Banihal Pass is correctly matched with the Pir Panjal Range.
- It is at an elevation of 2,832 meters and plays a key role in connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Jammu region.
Phelu La is incorrectly matched with the Ladakh Range.
Khardung La is incorrectly matched with the Karakoram Range.

Additional Information

Zoji La:
- It serves as the gateway to Ladakh, and Zoji La is also key for civilian and military traffic between Srinagar and Leh.
- Its closure during the winter due to snow makes it a challenging pass to maintain year-round connectivity.
- This pass is vital for trade, military logistics, and the movement of goods to the border areas.
Global Importance of Passes:
- Passes around the world, like the Khyber Pass in Afghanistan and Pakistan, have historically been critical in trade, invasions, and migrations.
- The Khyber Pass facilitated the movement of people and goods between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent for centuries and remains strategically important today.
The Suez Canal:
- Though not a traditional mountain pass, the Suez Canal is an artificial pass that has immense global significance.
- It connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, providing a direct shipping route between Europe and Asia, significantly reducing travel time for global shipping.
The Strait of Hormuz:
- Another vital passage for global trade, it links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
- It is one of the world's most important waterways, handling a large portion of the global oil trade. Its strategic importance is significant for geopolitical and energy security reasons.