Excelsior Correspondent
LEH (Ladakh) Oct 12: The CEC LAHDC Leh, Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo convened a meeting with all the stakeholders regarding ‘relocation at Pangong Lake and Chaddar Trek Regulation’ at conference hall of Council Secretariat today.
With the idea of ensuring sustainable tourism at Pangong Lake by following the guidelines of Supreme Court, issues regarding demarcation of appropriate site for relocation of commercial establishments like camps, resorts, shops and other tourist related units; scientific ways to dispose-off toilet waste and garbage, and other related issues were discussed in detail with all the stake holders. LAHDC, Leh has formulated a comprehensive proposal for allotment of land for the locals of each village to establish their business at a new place maintaining the mandatory distance from the lake.
He further assured that decisions will be taken by taking the local people into confidence for their every possible benefit.
He gave instructions to concerned departments for preparing strict guidelines for tourists pertaining to the Pangong lake, ascertain distance for parking area from the lake, proper registration process, issuance of notice to illegal business set-up, increase in number of police personnel, continuous vigilance by eco-guides, and other issues. Among others, CEC also suggested for making the surrounding villages of Pangong lake eco-model villages by generating electricity by setting up a solar power plant. He therefore instructed LREDA to start the work in this direction.
In the meeting, it was suggested that hoardings reading important guidelines for tourist destinations must be displayed from airport and at important viewing places for the information of the tourists.
On the request of the travel & trade personnel and the general understanding of the tourist season in Ladakh, CEC gave assurance of completion of work of demarcation of place by the end of this month so that the travel and trade personnel get ample time to set up their business unit well in time for the next tourist season.
It was also decided in the meeting that final decision of the same will be decided on DC Leh’s visit on spot in a short period of time.
It is pertinent to mention that the Pangong Lake area has been declared as Cold Desert Sanctuary by the Government of India and the High Court has already issued order for removal of all those illegal business establishments from the close vicinity of Pangong lake. Similarly the Supreme Court of India has also declared the area as Cold Desert Sanctuary in 1987 by issuing strict instructions for not to disturb the lake area and the endangered Wild Life species living and breeding there.
Regarding Chaddar Trek Regulation, CEC talked about setting up of portable toilets at various night halt spots at Chaddar Trek which later will be maintained by the people of Zanskar and therefore gave directions to EC Tourism and representatives from Zanskar and ALTOA to work in cooperation in this regard.
Among others EC Wildlife Dorjey Notup, EC Tourism Tsering Sandup, ADC Leh Moses Kunzang, Councillor Chushul Konchok Stanzin, SDM Durbuk Udham D. Sharma, DySP Peer Zahoor, executive engineers, heads and officials of the concerned departments, presidents and members of Trade Alliance and ALTOA also attended the meeting.
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