Leh, October 9: The Ladakh administration has launched the Changthang Visioning Report to promote wildlife conservation, protect fragile high-altitude ecosystems and support sustainable livelihoods for local communities in the region.
Titled “Vision from the Highlands: Building a Shared Future for Rangelands, Wildlife and Communities,” the report was launched at The Grand Dragon in Leh on Thursday, with Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra attending the event.
The initiative aims to establish a common vision for the future of Changthang, placing healthy rangelands, wildlife protection and resilient pastoral communities at the centre of long-term conservation and sustainable development.
The launch marks an important milestone in WWF-India’s Western Himalayas conservation programme, providing a platform for strengthening partnerships, encouraging practical conservation measures and promoting the sustainable management of the region’s natural resources.
The initiative assumes particular significance as 2026 is being observed as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, highlighting the ecological, cultural and economic importance of grasslands and the communities whose livelihoods depend on them.
The event brought together representatives of the Ladakh administration, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, conservation and academic institutions, pastoral communities, youth and women’s groups, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
Participants discussed the interconnected challenges facing Changthang, including the conservation of fragile rangelands, protection of wildlife, preservation of traditional pastoral practices and improvement of community livelihoods.
Changthang, meaning “eastern flat land,” is a vast high-altitude region in eastern Ladakh bordering China. Also known as the Rupsho Valley, it is characterised by expansive cold-desert landscapes, rugged mountains and pristine high-altitude lakes.
The region is home to the nomadic Changpa community, whose traditional pastoral lifestyle and cultural heritage remain closely linked to the area’s fragile ecosystem. Changthang is also recognised for its rich biodiversity, including rare bird species and diverse wildlife.
The report seeks to encourage cooperation among government agencies, conservation organisations and local communities to balance ecological protection with the socio-economic needs of people living in the region.
By bringing diverse stakeholders together, the initiative aims to develop a shared approach to safeguarding Changthang’s natural heritage while ensuring sustainable livelihoods and preserving its distinctive cultural traditions for future generations.
