Context: Recently, it was found that Ladakh is currently at the forefront of a battle that concerns not just its own survival, but the survival of all of humanity.

Key Issue

• The Himalayan region, nestled between India's neighbours Pakistan and China, is home to Ladakh, comprising 97% indigenous tribes whose lives revolve around farming and animal rearing.

• However, this picturesque landscape faces numerous challenges, including the detrimental impacts of climate change, border disputes, and a recent surge in mega infrastructure projects.

• Amid climate protests and fasts led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, it is important to understand the larger issue of the fragility of the Himalayan ecosystem.

About the Ladakh

• Ladakh is a land of high passes, snow-capped mountains, and serene monasteries nestled between Pakistan and China.

• It was established as a Union Territory of India in 2019, following the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.

• a. Prior to that, it was part of the Jammu and Kashmir state.

Geographical Features

• Ladakh is located at a height of 11,500 feet and is home to 97% indigenous tribes.

• It is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region to the east, the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh to the south.

• Both the Indian-administered Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan to the west, and the southwest corner of Xinjiang across the Karakoram Pass in the far north.

Economy and Lifestyle

• The economy of Ladakh is largely dependent on domestic and foreign tourism, and agriculture.

• Many of its residents lead simple pastoral lives and depend on farming and animal rearing for a livelihood.

Cultural Heritage

• The main religious groups in the region are Muslims (mainly Shia) (46%), Buddhists (mainly Tibetan Buddhists) (40%), and Hindus (12%) with the remaining 2% made of other religions.

• The region is known for its festivals, traditional music, and folk dances.

What are the key issues ahead of Ladakh?

• The Fragile Ecosystem of Ladakh: The Himalayan region faces the damaging effects of climate change through floods, drought, landslides, greenhouse gases, and other pollutants.

• There are about 15,000 glaciers in the Himalayan region, often referred to as the Third Pole.

• These glaciers form an important part of the hydrological process by releasing meltwater to the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra.

• The Threat of Climate Change: The Himalayan glaciers, like those in the rest of the world, are at risk of melting due to global warming and climate change.

• It will affect both residents of the mountain region and those living downstream.

• According to a study published in 2021, glaciers in the Pangong region retreated around 6.7% between 1990 and 2019.

• The Role of Infrastructure Development: In the name of development, several mega infrastructure projects were launched at a rapid pace in Ladakh.

• These included the construction of bridges, widening of roads, tunnels, railway lines, mega solar projects, a state-of-the-art airport terminal and wayside amenities to boost tourism.

• However, these developments have upset the fragile balance in the Himalayan ecosystem and its biodiversity.

Other Issues Faced By Ladakh

• No decentralisation of power: There had been four MLAs from the region in the erstwhile J&K Assembly; the administration of the region is now completely in the hands of bureaucrats.

• To many in Ladakh, the government now looks even more distant than Srinagar.

• Changed domicile policy in Jammu and Kashmir: It raised fears in the region about its own land, employment, demography, and cultural identity.

• Limited Finances: The UT has two Hill councils in Leh and Kargil, but neither is under the Sixth Schedule.

• Their powers are limited to collection of some local taxes such as parking fees and allotment and use of land vested by the Centre.

Related Key Recommendations

• Climate Change Mitigation: Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist, has highlighted the larger issue of the fragility of the Himalayan ecosystem.

• In response to these threats, he addressed a 30,000-strong crowd at Leh, Ladakh to announce his fight is not just about Ladakh and its people. It is a battle for all of humanity and its future generations.

• Sustainable Infrastructure Development: The rapid pace of infrastructure development in Ladakh, including the construction of bridges, roads, tunnels, railway lines, and solar projects, has disrupted the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

• There is a need for sustainable development that takes into account the environmental impact.

• Empowerment of Local Bodies: The local bodies known as the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils had a key role in decisions related to healthcare, land, and other local issues.

• There is a need to empower these local bodies and give them more say in developmental projects.

• Protection of Cultural Identity: There is a growing concern among locals about the loss of their tribal identity due to the influx of outsiders and industrialists.

• Measures need to be taken to protect Ladakh’s unique culture and language.

• Constitutional Safeguards: The people of Ladakh have been demanding constitutional safeguards to protect their land, culture, language, and environment.

• These demands need to be addressed to ensure the protection of Ladakh’s unique identity.

• Recently, the Union Government has agreed to examine whether the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution can be implemented in Ladakh’s context.

Sixth Schedule

• It comes under Article 244 that provides for the formation of Autonomous Administrative Divisions — Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) — that have some legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.

• a. It applies to the Northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram (three Councils each), and Tripura (one Council).

• Carbon Neutral Strategy: The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) under the Ministry of Science and Technology has been tasked with developing a capacity to scientifically assess the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate change.

• A carbon neutral strategy for Ladakh is needed to address potential environmental challenges.

Other Recommendations

• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST): In September 2019, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes recommended the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.

• The Commission took note of the fact that the newly created Union Territory of Ladakh is predominantly a tribal region in the country.

• Report highlights of the Parliamentary Standing Committee: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs recently tabled a report in the Rajya Sabha.

• The report stated that, according to the 2011 Census, the tribal population in the Union Territory of Ladakh is 2,18,355, that is 79.61% of the total population of 2,74,289.

• Special Status: The committee recommended that special status may be granted to the Union Territory of Ladakh considering the developmental requirements of the tribal population.

Conclusion

• While development is necessary for economic growth, it must not come at the expense of environmental degradation and human lives.

• The Himalayan region, with its unique biodiversity and cultural heritage, deserves careful consideration and protection, and it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to safeguard its future.