Which of the following mountain passes is/are located in the Zaskar Range of the Himalayas and historically served as a critical trade route connecting the Kashmir Valley with the cold desert of Ladakh?
- Zoji La
- Shipki La
Choose the correct option from the following.
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Zoji La lies in the Zaskar (Zanskar) Range and is the vital link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, long used by traders carrying wool, pashmina and saffron. Shipki La sits in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh and connects India with Tibet, so it's neither in the Zaskar Range nor on the Kashmir-Ladakh route. Only statement 1 fits.