Question

Name two important passes in the Himalayas

Answer 1

Hint: The navigable route through a mountain range or over the ridge is called a mountain pass. Passes have played a key role in the war, trade, and both animal and human migration throughout history.

Complete answer:
A mountain pass consists of a route through the mountain ranges and its exact location is denoted by highest location in terms of the altitude within that route. The Himalayas has some of the highest peaks in the world which lie south of the Tibetan Plateau. Two important passes in the Himalayas are:
Karakoram Pass (Jammu & Kashmir):
The Karakoram Pass is at an elevation of 5,540 m and is located in Karakoram Range. It acts as a passage between China and India with the help of the Karakoram Highway. In the early history of Asia, the route was a part of the ancient Silk Route. The route, however, remained as one of the highest trade routes in the world. The mountain pass is marked by the heaps of stones on either side of the border between the countries in what is not a disputed border. Near the Karakoram Highway, one might find skeletons and bones, still, the Karakoram Pass holds great popularity among the Ladhakis.
Nathu La (Sikkim):
The Nathu La Pass, which is located in the Himalayan range, is at an elevation of 4,310 m. The road passing through the Nathu La was once an important route for making up the ancient Silk Route. In present times the route retains its significance as a passage of trade in the region and acts as an important trade route giving passage between China and India. After the war between China and India, the mountain pass was closed in the year 1962 but later it was opened again in 2006 as a trade route. In the areas around the mountain pass, a significant military presence of troops from both China and India is present with many check posts among the tall mountain tops.

Note: The formation of the mountain passes between the mountain peaks might occur during the formation of mountain ranges. Otherwise, they may be formed due to the action of the glaciers, running water, or with the help of the precipitation in the form of rain or snow.