Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Jan 29: The 15th meeting of the State Board for Wildlife was held here today.
The meeting was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta.
During the meeting, the LG led detailed deliberations on critical wildlife conservation issues, with particular focus on the rationalisation of boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries in Ladakh.
He emphasised the need to strike a balanced, pragmatic approach that safeguards national security interests, protects local community livelihoods and ensures effective conservation of Ladakh’s unique and endangered wildlife.
At the outset, additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, S Rajesh, briefed the Board on its mandate, agenda items and initiatives undertaken by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department.
The LG took note of the agenda presented by Wildlife Warden Mandeep Mittal regarding the rationalisation of boundaries of Karakoram (Nubra-Shayok) Wildlife Sanctuary and High Altitude Cold Desert (Changthang Wildlife) Sanctuary.
During extensive discussions, the LG carefully considered concerns raised by stakeholders, including the Army, paramilitary forces, police, local communities and wildlife experts.
It was noted that existing proposals could potentially bring a significant portion of Ladakh’s land area under protected zones, creating operational, developmental and administrative challenges.
Renowned wildlife expert Dr M K Ranjit Sinh highlighted Ladakh’s status as a national heritage landscape and stressed the need for clearly defined core conservation zones, seasonal wildlife corridors and strategic exclusion of areas necessary for security and community needs.
Other experts and officials echoed the need for scientific and rational boundary rationalisation.
Concluding the meeting, the LG categorically stated that national security will be the overriding consideration in finalising wildlife sanctuary boundaries.
He directed the immediate formation of a committee involving local communities, under the supervision of the Chief Secretary, to identify and delineate core wildlife areas while excluding Army settlements and essential habitations.
The committee has been instructed to submit its report within four months.
Among others who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, former PCCF Ladakh Jigmet Takpa, APCCF S Rajesh, SSP Altaf Ahmad Shah, deputy GOC Sub Area Leh (14 Corps) Brigadier Ajay Katoch, Director Tourism Tsering Paldan, director Snow Leopard Conservancy Tsewang Namgail and officials from the Wildlife Institute of India and Zoological Survey of India.
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