Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) chaired the meeting of the 9th State Board of Wildlife of UT Ladakh at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat on November 24.

The wildlife clearance for 25 projects, including 20 for 4G saturation of BSNL/Jio mobile towers in uncovered areas of Ladakh under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), four roads for security purposes, and one for the national large solar telescope on the bank of Pangong Lake in the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary were discussed in the meeting.

LG highlighted the importance of achieving 100 percent saturation of providing telecommunication connectivity in remote uncovered areas of Ladakh for the ease and convenience of the people of Ladakh and also of defence personnel. He also highlighted the importance of improving road connectivity in Ladakh due to security reasons.

The Board members gave approval to all these projects.

Renowned wildlife expert Dr. MK Ranjitsinh highlighted the importance of notifying the rationalization of the boundaries of Karakoram/Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary at the earliest. He suggested involving the army as partners as the UT Administration has to work closely with them in infrastructure development projects. He highlighted the issue of dog menace in wildlife areas and emphasized taking concrete steps to tackle the issue. He also suggested nominating honorary chief wildlife wardens in wildlife areas.

Dr. Bilal Habib from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun informed the Board members that the process of rationalization of Karakoram/Changthang wildlife sanctuaries would be finalized soon and sent for approval from the National Board of Wildlife. He highlighted the point brought out by the National Board of Wildlife regarding the need to conduct a comprehensive study plan to assess the impact of development projects cleared in Ladakh by the National Board.  

Wildlife expert Dr RK Singh suggested that wildlife-related policies should also be discussed in the Wildlife Board Meeting along with conducting physical meetings with board members. He also suggested constituting a Standing Committee of the State Board of Wildlife of UT Ladakh.

Tsewang Namgyal from Snow Leopard Conservancy suggested that annual funds should be provided for organising training for inhabitants residing in wildlife-protected areas to conserve wildlife.
MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; Advisor to LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee also gave their valuable suggestions regarding the issues discussed in the meeting.

Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; Advisor to HLG, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IAS; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Punchok Tashi; ADGP, Ladakh, Dr. SD Singh Jamwal; Chief Wildlife Warden, UT Ladakh, Brig Mohan Sharma; Commissioner Secretary, Padma Angmo; Secretary to LG, Ravinder Kumar; wildlife experts Dr. MK Ranjitsinh, Dr. RK Singh, representatives from Wildlife Institute of India, Zoological Survey of India; Senior Scientist, Nature Conservation Foundation, Dr Yash Veer Bhatnagar; representatives from Border Roads Organisation, Indian Army, BSNL/Jio and other officials from different organisations and institutions joined the meeting physically and virtually.