Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, met Minister of Labour and Environment, Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi on May 3 and discussed various issues about the labourers and wildlife in Ladakh.

LG Mathur requested the Ministry of Labour and Environment to expedite the construction of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Hospital and provide mobile clinics with internet connectivity to provide medical facilities to the labour population working in scattered areas in Ladakh. He also requested the Ministry’s intervention in the registration of labourers on e-Shram, even in areas which lack internet connectivity.

He thanked the Ministry for the approval of the Indian Forest Service (IFoS) cadre strength and clearances provided by the National Board of Wildlife for various developmental activities in Ladakh. He sought assistance in filling up the posts of IFoS officers from the AGMUT cadre and approval to extend the tenure of the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC) till the creation/filling up of the posts for LPCC. 

LG Mathur stressed the need to rationalise the boundaries of Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and Hemis National Park without compromising on the total draft notified area of the Sanctuary/National Park. He informed about the assistance sought from the Wildlife Institute of India for rationalising the boundaries.

LG Mathur informed that the people of Ladakh are dependent on water from glacial melt and requested scientific guidance and continuous monitoring of data on water discharge from the glaciers in Ladakh. He stressed the need for a Mountain Institute along with a Climate Change Study Cell.  

Minister Bhupender Yadav assured full cooperation for promoting sustainable development and eco-friendly tourism in Ladakh.