Administration orders spatial mapping of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh

Jammu/Leh, Sept 16 (PTI) Authorities will undertake spatial mapping and field verification of military installations within the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh in coordination with police and the defence establishment, officials said on Wednesday.

The joint ground verification will use GPS/GIS mapping, geo-referencing and satellite imagery, while wildlife officials will scientifically map critical habitats and wildlife movement corridors, they said.

The sub-divisional magistrate of Nyoma, a strategic military hub located in the Changthang region, said that resumption of the statutory rights determination process will not legitimise any fresh encroachment or unauthorised construction in the sanctuary area after the applicable statutory cut-off dates.

All claimants will be allowed to be heard before the final orders are issued. Field officials have also been directed to submit fortnightly progress reports to ensure time-bound completion of the proceedings, the officials said.

The SDM, who has been designated as the collector, has ordered immediate resumption and time-bound completion of proceedings for determining the rights within the wildlife sanctuary in Changthang.

The move follows directions issued by the commissioner secretary in the forest, ecology and environment department of Ladakh.

The sanctuary, originally notified under Section 17 of the J&K Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978, covers ecologically sensitive areas as well as traditional grazing lands, habitations and government and defence installations.

The SDM directed that the process should be transparent, evidence-based and participatory, while balancing community rights, wildlife conservation and national security concerns, the officials said.

A formal public notice will be issued through the gram panchayats, inviting claims relating to land ownership, customary use and traditional grazing rights within the prescribed statutory period, they said.

Tehsildars of Nyoma, Durbuk, Chumathang and Anlay, in coordination with the wildlife, forest, animal husbandry and sheep husbandry departments, have been directed to prepare a consolidated village-wise inventory of private, community, government and pastoral lands.

In view of the sanctuary’s strategic border location, spatial mapping and field surveys of defence installations will be carried out in coordination with police and defence authorities, subject to national security protocols, the officials said. PTI AB ARI

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