NEW DELHI, Jan 10:
The Centre’s wildlife panel has cleared several proposals to build infrastructure for troops, ammunition storage and communication networks in eastern Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, official records show.
The areas earmarked for defence infrastructure are treeless but fall within Protected Areas, making them subject to Section 29 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The Defence Ministry has been instructed to ensure no harm is done to the landscape and to comply with regulations to minimise the project’s impact on local habitats.
So far, the Standing Committee has approved 107 proposals, covering 2,967.63 hectares in the Changthang High Altitude Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, and 64 proposals, covering 24,625.52 hectares in the Karakorum Nubra Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary.
Pertinently, India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in India-China border areas in Depsang and Demchok on 21 October 2024, marking progress in easing tensions that arose after the 2020 standoff.
Under the agreement, it was agreed that patrolling activities and, wherever applicable, grazing will resume as per longstanding practice before friction started in these areas. The agreement has since been effected and implemented as per modalities and timelines agreed.(PTI)
