Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, June 6: The Ladakh Restoration Visioning Exercise 2025, held from June 2 to 4 in Leh, brought together over 80 participants representing diverse stakeholders to co-create a shared and actionable vision for the ecological restoration of Ladakh’s unique landscapes.
Organised by the Nature Conservation Foundation in collaboration with the Ecological Restoration Alliance and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, the three-day exercise included voices from local communities, scientists, conservationists, policymakers, Ladakhi youth, and eco-tourism leaders.
The event featured a series of expert talks addressing the ecological challenges and restoration opportunities in Ladakh’s fragile and diverse landscapes. A highlight of the exercise was an interactive group mapping activity that identified key challenges and opportunities for restoration. More than 20 organisations, institutions, and government departments, along with passionate young voices from across Ladakh, participated in this session. The activity not only spotlighted current issues but also encouraged forward-looking discussions on future needs, innovation, and actionable ideas to guide restoration efforts.
To deepen participants’ understanding of the relationship between local communities and the land, a field trip to Changthang was conducted on the second day. This immersive experience allowed participants to witness firsthand the ecological dynamics and cultural connections that define the region.
The three-day event marks a crucial step in developing a comprehensive Vision Document for landscape restoration in Ladakh. This document is intended to serve as a guiding framework for policymakers and stakeholders as they plan and implement future restoration and interventions.
