Ladakh

The Land of Mystic and Mystery

- Ms Shakti Bishnoi

IAF Effect

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to establish another base in Ladakh, across 500 hectares in the Changthang sanctuary area, right off the Line of Actual Control. The Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife, chaired by the Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav, has given approval to the proposal.

The ‘proposal for use of 508.187 ha from Changthang Wildlife sanctuary for creation of IAF base, UT of Ladakh’ was taken up at the meeting and recommended for approval with the usual caveats on compensation charges, the extant laws in place and mitigation measures prescribed.

The new base proposal has already been approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden, State Board of Wildlife and the Ladakh administration during a meeting held on June 29, 2022. But the defence project is yet to apply for environmental clearance for the base which falls in the cold desert sanctuary. The author believes it should be studied thoroughly and not at the cost of environment.

Mahe Field Firing Range (MFFR) is located in eastern Ladakh, about 40–50 km from the border, and is spread across 1257 hectare area in the Changthang sanctuary. The MFFR is the only firing range in the entire eastern Ladakh sector where all types of weapons can be fired and tank regiments and mechanized units can prepare and train for battle engagements. It is all at the cost of environment and destruction of habitat of Tibetan wolf, fox, and other wildlife species.