A meeting on rationalization of boundaries and final notification of protected areas of Ladakh was convened by Lieutenant Governor, R K Mathur on October 6 at Raj Niwas.

Advisor Umang Narula; Secretary Law & Justice/Chief Conservator of Forests, Preetpal Singh; Commissioner Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment, Rigzin Samphel, and Chief Wildlife Warden Md Sajid Sultan joined the meeting through video conferencing.

R K Mathur said that Ladakh is a crucial region concerning national security, rights of indigenous communities, as well as critical biodiversity. He directed to get clarity from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change over the issues of applicability of various environmental laws like the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for Ladakh. 

To ascertain the requirements of land for protected areas, he instructed to take scientific/ technical opinion from the Wildlife Institute of India. Also, he asked the meeting of Wildlife Board to get inputs for rationalization of boundaries, settling of rights, the inclusion of critical habitats and exclusion of towns and villages from protected areas, etc. 

Mathur emphasized to follow the process of rationalization of boundaries and settlement of rights as per due legal procedure that shall entail inviting claims from all the stakeholders. 

He impressed upon dealing with the violations of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and/or Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in a manner that paves the way for putting in place proper administrative procedures for undertaking and clearing activities such as mining, stone crushing, and the building of tourism infrastructure. 

Mathur further affirmed that any decision on Ladakh must balance developmental requirements, national security, and biodiversity conservation. A timeline of two months to frame these issues for further action as per the law was given.