The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has granted clearance for 11 proposals by the Ministry of Defence to construct strategic infrastructure in protected areas of Ladakh, located near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. These projects aim to enhance military capabilities, including telecom networks and ammunition storage facilities, within sensitive wildlife regions.
Defence Ministry’s Proposed Infrastructure
The approved proposals include the construction of an infantry battalion camp, an artillery regiment post, Army signals mobile telecommunication towers, boat shed areas, a formation ammunition storage facility (FASF), and traffic control posts. The NBWL’s standing committee, led by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, cleared the proposals during its meeting last month. The Changthang High Altitude Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary will host ten of the proposed facilities, while one will be located in the Karakorum Nubra Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary at Turtuk Zangpal.
Environmental Safeguards for Wildlife
Both Changthang and Karakorum sanctuaries are home to rare wildlife species such as the snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, Tibetan wild ass, and Tibetan wolf. Additionally, various bird species inhabit these regions. Despite the strategic importance of these projects, the NBWL has stipulated that the Defence Ministry must comply with specific conditions to minimize environmental damage. The ministry is required to ensure that the construction does not harm the landscape or disrupt local habitats, emphasizing the preservation of the delicate ecosystems in these areas.
Among the approved projects within Changthang is the construction of a waste disposal and processing plant in Hanle village. These projects reflect the ongoing balance between national security needs and wildlife conservation efforts in India’s border areas.
