Jamyang Tsering Namgyal
When the golden hues of a snow capped peak shimmer in the dancing blue-green waters of the Sindhu River, even the most die-hard cynic is mesmerised by the magic nature has bestowed upon Ladakh. For years, Ladakh has been looked upon, talked and written about as that ‘paradise’ which is the ultimate getaway for the stressed professionals from India and abroad, as an adventurous challenge beckoning bikers/ motorists and an unexplored treasure for nature lovers. Very few have given a thought or tried to ‘explore’ the life of Ladakhis, their day to day struggles, their aspirations and the insurmountable difficulties they face in the cold, dry mountains. For the first time since the abrogation of Article 370, Ladakh is being looked upon by the policy makers not as an ‘adjunct’ to Kashmir but a region with its own unique history, identity, culture and challenges.
For decades, Ladakhis, while struggling to live a life of dignity, have been facing multiple challenges to move forward like the rest of the country while also preserving their unique culture and identity. Policy makers, both in Srinagar and New Delhi, always focused on the Kashmir valley, were able to spare precious little time for this region having immense potential. It was not surprising then that the Ladakhis, fiercely proud and independent, started demanding that they be ‘delinked’ with the other parts of Jammu and Kashmir to rise to their optimum potential and also shed the insecurity and fears of their culture and identity getting buried. It is common remark among Ladakhis, both young and old, that they have always felt closer home to Delhi than Srinagar. And that is precisely what happened when Parliament of India, carved out a separate Union territory of Ladakh exactly two years ago. From policy making to its implementation, Ladakhis now need not await ‘their turn’. They now have a direct hotline to Delhi. And the results of this paradigm shift are already showing.
When a vacationer visits Ladakh on a packaged tour, he or she hardly has the time or the insight to know how and from where all the stuff that he or she is consuming comes from. Not too long ago, a Ladakhi mother would fret for the whole day if one match stick was wasted because she knew that once winter advanced, even a matchbox would become a luxury to be ‘procured’ by various means just to keep her kitchen fires burning. Such was the supply situation there. Vegetables, fruits, meat and other essentials carried the same value that gold and diamonds have for people in the rest of the country. For life to be lived with dignity and comfort, the biggest need of the area is all weather roads. Connectivity is at the root of most of Ladakh’s problems and this is an issue which needs to be addressed holistically with policy makers not losing sight of the ecological balance. That is why the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) which has the expertise in this sector has been tasked with building a criss-cross of roads and bridges over the Ladakh region. Just a few days ago, BRO opened a new road at Umlingla Pass in Eastern Ladakh. At 19,300 ft, it is now the highest motorable road in the entire world. Connecting these areas, hitherto inaccessible, serves twin purposes. First, it makes life easier for the inhabitants living in the highest reaches who, though less in number, deserve special attention. Second, it makes these areas accessible to tourists thus kick-starting economic activity in the area. Not to speak of the emotional ‘connect’ it creates for an average Indian.
As BRO and various other agencies embark on a connectivity building spree, it is vital that the fragile ecological balance in Ladakh is kept in mind at each level. One size fits all doesn’t work anywhere, particularly in these mountains. That is why, a slew of steps have been initiated in this regard. It is common knowledge that inadequate power supply is one of the biggest hazards in Ladakh. This coupled with the biting cold and sub-zero temperature for months leads to immense difficulties. It is also common knowledge that Ladakh mountains and valleys receive the longest sunlight hours in the whole country. Generating solar energy is the key to unlocking untold treasures in the region. At the same time, promoting green mobility through special hydrogen buses is already underway. Harnessing solar energy not just for power generation but also to run buses is a unique experiment. The idea is to make Ladakh a completely carbon-neutral land. With this aim, several parallel efforts are on to reduce to carbon footprint soon. The NTPC has recently revised its target to 60 GW for renewable energy by 2032, thus almost doubling its earlier target.
While it is a well-known fact that apart from agriculture and animal rearing, tourism is the main stay for a large population of Ladakhis, it is also true that a complete, 360 degree potential still remains to be tapped. For instance, the Ladakhi valleys produce unique fruits and berries which are unknown to the rest of the world. They are rich in their nutritional content, juicy and unique in taste. Local entrepreneurship should be promoted for processing and preserving these fruits and berries. Steps have already been initiated by APEDA which is collaborating with Ladakhi officials in this regard. Private enterprise must also be encouraged here.
If you open a wildlife magazine or watch a documentary with a snow leopard staring back at you on the screen, chances are the shot must have been captured in the Ladakh mountains. Perhaps very few people part from wildlife enthusiasts and local residents are aware of the rich wildlife in Ladakh. Likewise, though dry in most parts, Ladakh has the hidden wonder of two very high altitude wetlands. They serve as the breeding ground for dozens of birds’ species. Special efforts are now being made through the Union Environment Ministry and local administration for the conservation of these wetlands because they serve as a huge resource of water.
Among the many challenges faced by a typical Ladakhi family was the pain of sending off their youngsters to study in various universities outside Ladakh. With practically no avenues for higher education, Ladakhi boys and girls left their home and hearth every year to apply in university campuses ranging from Jammu to Chandigarh to Delhi and as far as Mumbai. The most deprived were those from poorer families who were keen to pursue higher studies but lacked the necessary resources. Today, Ladakh not only has its own university (started in 2019) but is all set for a second campus in the form of a Central University announced last month.
Ladakh is home to one of the most tenacious, hardy and brave people in the world. They are proud, hard working and fiercely patriotic. They brave all odds, from nature to terrain to two hostile neighbours (Pakistan and China) and still go beyond their means in the service of the nation. The Ladakhi youth is all poised for a huge leap of progress, we just need to help her open the wings to take off into the horizon.
(The author is Lok Sabha MP from Ladakh)
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