Leh, Jan 20: Proposals for strategic defence infrastructure in the high-altitude frontier of Ladakh were taken up for scrutiny at the 88th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), held in New Delhi on Monday under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.
Official sources said the committee examined 70 proposals related to public utilities, defence needs and infrastructure projects in and around protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and eco-sensitive zones across the country. As many as 17 proposals pertained to defence infrastructure, a substantial number of which were located in Ladakh, highlighting the continued focus on strengthening border infrastructure in the Union Territory.
The defence-related proposals in Ladakh involve strategic works in high-altitude and forward areas along the frontier. The committee agreed to recommend these projects, citing national security requirements, while directing that all works must strictly comply with wildlife mitigation measures and environmental safeguards prescribed under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Members of the panel observed that Ladakh’s fragile ecology, characterised by cold deserts and habitats of rare species such as the snow leopard and Tibetan antelope, calls for careful planning during execution of infrastructure projects. They stressed the need to safeguard wildlife habitats, ensure continuity of animal movement corridors and adhere to environmental conditions to minimise disturbance in sensitive areas.
Apart from defence projects, the committee also considered proposals related to essential public services in remote and protected areas of the country. These included drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission, construction of primary and community health centres, road widening works, installation of 4G mobile towers and laying of transmission lines. Officials said these proposals were assessed with the aim of improving basic amenities for residents of far-flung areas without violating environmental norms.
The panel also discussed a medium irrigation project in Madhya Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region, aimed at addressing drinking and irrigation water needs while improving the water regime for wildlife, including gharials.
Another agenda item was the review of the Action Taken Report (ATR) on decisions from previous meetings. The committee assessed progress on policy measures and procedural reforms, including upgrades to the PARIVESH portal used for processing environmental and wildlife clearances. It was decided that issues related to wildlife conservation policies and compliance with the committee’s directions would be reviewed further in forthcoming meetings to strengthen monitoring.
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife advises the government on conservation and protection of wildlife and forests, while also examining development proposals in and around protected areas. Monday’s deliberations once again brought Ladakh into focus, as the region continues to witness increased strategic activity alongside growing attention to its sensitive ecological landscape.
For Ladakh, the recommendations point to continued movement on border infrastructure, accompanied by closer supervision of environmental safeguards — a development that local administration and conservation observers in the region are expected to track closely in the coming months.
