The Union government’s wildlife panel has cleared several pending proposals to construct infrastructure for security forces, including ammo storage and communication networks in eastern Ladakh near the Line of Control (LAC) with China, official records show.
The proposed projects to be developed in the Chanthang high-altitude cold desert wildlife sanctuary and the Karakoram Nubra Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary aim to reduce the ammunition access time to stationed troops in the region,” said the Ministry of Defence.
Both India and China were engaged in a 54-month-long military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which began after their troops clashed in the Galwan Valley in May 2020. This standoff ended in October last year.
The discussions for this strategic infrastructure were held during a meeting with the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife, chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on December 21.
Both sanctuaries are home to some rare wildlife, such as the Tibetan antelope, Tibetan wild ass, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, and numerous bird species.
The Karakorum Nubra Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary also supports species like the Tibetan gazelle, Siberian ibex, bharal (blue sheep), and Bactrian camel.
Although the areas marked for the proposed projects are in barren land, these lands fall under the protected zones, making them subject to Section 29 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Meanwhile, the centre has asked the Ministry of Defence to ensure that no harm is done to the landscape and the animals living in the designated zones while the construction of critical assets is being done.
So far, the Standing Committee has approved 107 proposals, covering 2,967.63 hectares in the Changthang High Altitude Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, and 64 proposals, covering 24,625.52 hectares in the Karakorum Nubra Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary.
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