Sixteen projects of the Indian Army, Power Development Department (PDD) and Border Roads Organisation, on Wednesday, were reviewed and got clearance from the Ladakh Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta, who, however, reiterated that while defence preparedness and infrastructure development are crucial for national security in the Union Territory frontier region, they must be followed with uncompromising adherence to environmental safeguards.
A complete ban on the dumping of leftover food or garbage outside operational complexes has also been imposed.
Lt Governor chaired the 14th meeting of the State Board for Wildlife, where he stressed proper compliance with directives issued by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment to ensure that construction or operational activities do not disturb local biodiversity.
Approval for all projects was granted subject to mandatory implementation of the guidelines and recommendations contained in the Biological Impact Assessment Report, which evaluates both positive and adverse effects on Ladakh’s fragile high-altitude ecosystems.
The Lt Governor emphasised that Ladakh’s unique biodiversity — ranging from high-altitude wetlands to habitats of globally vulnerable species — demands the highest degree of ecological responsibility from all agencies operating in protected areas.
Lieutenant Governor stressed that Ladakh has a very special range of nature and wildlife, such as — wetlands high up in the mountains and homes for animals that are at risk around the world. Due to this unique environment, all official groups working in these guarded areas must show the highest level of care for the environment/nature.
He then emphasised that sustainable development, particularly in border regions of national strategic significance, must move in tandem with conservation imperatives to safeguard Ladakh’s natural heritage for future generations.
Follow us
