Leh: The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, has approved over two dozen defence infrastructure projects within Ladakh’s protected areas, including the ecologically fragile Karakoram and Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuaries. These projects form part of a larger set of 32 proposals cleared across multiple states including Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Sikkim.
In Ladakh, the cleared proposals include the construction of forward aviation bases, artillery regiment facilities, helipads, troop housing, veterinary centers, ammunition depots, and critical road links. The approvals mark a significant step toward strengthening military infrastructure in a strategically sensitive region while raising important environmental considerations.
The NBWL has clarified that the legal status of the diverted land will remain unchanged, and the Ministry of Defence will be permitted to carry out only those activities explicitly approved under the wildlife clearance. Any additional or alternative use of the land will require fresh approval from the board. The committee also mandated the implementation of mitigation plans to safeguard local wildlife and their habitats. Animal passage structures must be constructed to facilitate the safe movement of species such as snow leopards, chiru, and other high-altitude fauna.
One notable project involves the construction of a road and temporary Hume Pipe Bridge on the Indus River at Nyoma in Leh district. In connection with this, the committee recommended that the Ministry of Defence coordinate closely with wildlife authorities to conserve endangered species and prevent illegal wildlife trade. It also reiterated its request for the Ministry of Defence to nominate officials from the armed forces to the Ladakh State Board for Wildlife to strengthen ongoing conservation efforts.
The projects cleared in Ladakh are part of the Centre’s broader efforts to upgrade defence infrastructure in border regions amid evolving strategic challenges. However, the NBWL’s conditions underscore the need to balance national security imperatives with ecological stewardship in Ladakh’s high-altitude landscape. The approvals come with strict requirements for environmental compliance, including regulated operational timings, proper waste management, and regular reporting to ensure that development does not come at the cost of the region’s fragile biodiversity.
