For the very first time, 5th Sustainable Mountain Development Summit will be hosted by Leh. The decision was taken at a meeting held on 1st March in Leh. LAHDC became the permanent member of Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI).

Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa, Fantry Mein Jaswal, Chairperson, Sustainable Development Forum, Arunachal Pradesh and Mridula Paul, Programme Director, Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) was present in the meeting.  

Annual Sustainable Mountain Development Summit (SMDS), convened by IMI in different Himalayan cities since 2011. The aim is to bring together stakeholders from various states of the Indian Himalayan region to discuss selected themes that are current and relevant to its sustainable development.

Dr. Dawa said that it will be a great platform and opportunity for Leh to host forthcoming SMDS in Leh, stating that such summits will not only educate people worldwide about the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh but will highlight the peculiar climatic conditions and different needs of Ladakh region effectively. 

He urged all the stakeholders to be ready in all respect and also asked for their cooperation and suggestions in making this summit a grand success.

Deputy Commissioner, Leh Prasanna Ramaswamy G, EC Works- Dorjey Mutup, E C for Animal & Sheep, Mumtaz Hussain, SSP, Leh Dr. Sunil Gupta, Project Director, LREDA- Leh, Jigmet Takpa and many other dignitaries were present and gave their suggestion.

Prasanna Ramaswamy G suggested organizing this summit after Ladakh Festival (September/October) and for constituting Steering Committee for the purpose a meeting will be convened in the second week of March 2016. 

Presentation on the Mountain Development Summit of 11 Indian Mountain States was given by Fantry Mein Jaswal and Mridula Paul.