Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) discussed the Wildlife Protected areas in Leh district on January 16.

Advocate Tashi Gyalson, CEC, LAHDC Leh highlighted the issues faced by the people of Nubra and Changthang as they fall under the Karakoram and Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuaries. 
A presentation on the process of declaration as per the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the various sections, the confusion over boundaries, different versions due to geo-coordinates, geographical reference, zonation, sketched map, and the new boundary proposed by the Wildlife Department, was presented to the L-G.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, highlighted the classification of Nubra based on geology comprising 15,314 sq km and proposed wildlife boundary of 9,352 sq km, including Karakoram Range and Depsang plains and excluding Ladakh Range and Saltoro Range. They informed about key features of the proposal submitted by Hill Council Leh, i.e. the proposed wildlife protected area would be two times the originally notified wildlife area, the purpose of rationalisation of wildlife boundaries would be fulfilled, the absence of conflict between humans and wildlife, etc.

L-G inquired from the Wildlife Department officials about the possible danger to wildlife and flora and fauna in Nubra in the approx. 6,000 sq km area, including Ladakh Range and Saltoro Range, which has been proposed to be excluded from the wildlife-protected area. He stated that the previously notified buffer zone was not adequate for the people of Nubra to carry out their livelihood activities. He stated that the grievances and suggestions from the stakeholders should be heard before the proposal for renotification of the Wildlife Protected area is initiated.

He asked the Chairman, LAHDC Leh, to prepare a letter with all relevant points/scenarios and suggestions so that the matter could be taken forward. He also highlighted the need to revise the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the rationalization of boundaries of Wildlife Sanctuaries.