Principal Secretary, Forest Ecology and Environment Department, Dr. Pawan Kotwal reviewed the progress of the exercise of the settlement of rights in the Hemis High Altitude National Park, Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, and the High-Altitude Cold Desert Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary on February 10.

Principal Secretary directed the concerned Collectors, Additional DC Leh; SDM Disket and SDM Nyoma to enquire into settlements and determine the existence, nature, and extent of the rights of any persons in or over the private land/ community and traditional pastures located within the limits of the wildlife sanctuaries within the stipulated time frame. The Principal Secretary asked Scientist-G, Wildlife Institute of India, Dr. S. Sathyakumar to provide details about progress reports in the settlement of rights in other wildlife regions such as Uttarakhand.  

Dr. Sathyakumar apprised the meeting about the traditional resource access of the nomadic and pastoral community in Ladakh; the protection of biodiversity, wildlife, forests, adjoining catchment areas, water sources, and other ecologically sensitive areas.

Discussions also took place on the carbon-neutral development and the initiatives taken up by the Ladakh administration to protect the environment. Further deliberations on dealing with plastic pollution also took place in detail.

It is to be noted that 12 single-use plastic items have been banned in Ladakh w.e.f July 01, 2022. These include plastic sticks such as earbuds, balloons, candy, ice cream, and straws; cutlery items such as plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, and trays; packaging/wrapping films like sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, and other items: such as PVC banners <100um, polystyrene for decoration. 

The UT Administration is planning to hold a 2 days’ workshop in collaboration with the LAHDCs on the Environmental issues pertaining to the UT of Ladakh which is an ecologically sensitive region. In the proposed workshop all the reputed National Level Institutions in the government and private sector, working in the field of Himalayan Environment and Ecology and the reputed NGOs and Organizations would be invited to share their experiences and make recommendations regarding the environmental carrying capacity of Ladakh and its development in an environment-friendly manner of Ladakh so that a detailed Action Plan could be prepared in this regard with Jan Bhagidari.

The meeting was attended by Sajjad Hussain Mufti, Chief Conservator of Forest/ Chief Wildlife Warden; Shrikant Suse, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Leh; Dhawan Kumar Rawat, Divisional Forest Officer, Leh; Sonam Chosjor, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Leh; Jigmat Angchuk, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nyoma; Dorjay Gyalson, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nubra; Pankaj Raina, Wildlife Warden, Leh, and Mohd. Shabir, OSD with Principal Secretary.