Ladakh sanctuary revamp hits security hurdle; review on
New Delhi: Ladakh's plans for redrawing the boundaries and expanse of the strategically located Changthang and Karakoram sanctuaries have hit a hurdle over implications for national security given land requirements for Defence forces in the border area besides developmental needs of local communities, ET has learnt.
ET gathers that a new committee is being formed to identify and define the core areas and the extent of wildlife habitats in the Protected Areas in a way that addresses these concerns, as per decisions taken at the 15th meeting of the Ladakh State Board of Wild Life (SBWL).
The meeting noted that all the border areas and the areas which had been very 'critical from the point of view of national security'- bordering China and Pakistan - would come within the purview of the two wildlife sanctuaries, subjecting them to consuming green clearances processes that would impact strategic interests.
The proposal for rationalisation' of the two sanctuaries - after a detailed study by the Wildlife Institute of India - was considered in the SBWL meeting chaired by the Lt Governor on September 19, 2025 .
However, concerns have arisen thereafter. The January 29, 2026 meeting of the SBWL noted how the total area of 'Protected Areas' (two wildlife sanctuaries and one national park) in Ladakh already stands at 32,000 sq km - 55% of Ladakh's total geographical area (59, 000 sq km ).
Most of these protected areas are situated entirely within Leh district, covering 71% of the district's area. With the Ladakh administration now working on five districts, it is expected that 100% of the area of Nubra district and 75% of Changthang district will come under protected areas which will pose practical difficulties in any developmental activity as time consuming wildlife clearances would be necessitated.
ET gathers that a new committee is being formed to identify and define the core areas and the extent of wildlife habitats in the Protected Areas in a way that addresses these concerns, as per decisions taken at the 15th meeting of the Ladakh State Board of Wild Life (SBWL).
The meeting noted that all the border areas and the areas which had been very 'critical from the point of view of national security'- bordering China and Pakistan - would come within the purview of the two wildlife sanctuaries, subjecting them to consuming green clearances processes that would impact strategic interests.
The proposal for rationalisation' of the two sanctuaries - after a detailed study by the Wildlife Institute of India - was considered in the SBWL meeting chaired by the Lt Governor on September 19, 2025 .
However, concerns have arisen thereafter. The January 29, 2026 meeting of the SBWL noted how the total area of 'Protected Areas' (two wildlife sanctuaries and one national park) in Ladakh already stands at 32,000 sq km - 55% of Ladakh's total geographical area (59, 000 sq km ).
Most of these protected areas are situated entirely within Leh district, covering 71% of the district's area. With the Ladakh administration now working on five districts, it is expected that 100% of the area of Nubra district and 75% of Changthang district will come under protected areas which will pose practical difficulties in any developmental activity as time consuming wildlife clearances would be necessitated.
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