Wildlife Board Approves 12 Strategic Defence Projects in Ladakh to Enhance Border Security Amid PLA Assertiveness

Why in News

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has recommended approval for 12 key defence projects in Ladakh's protected wildlife sanctuaries, citing the need for high operational preparedness due to increasing assertiveness by China's People's Liberation Army along the Line of Actual Control, following lessons from the 2020 border conflicts.

Key Points

1. The approvals include a training node at Tara, an artillery battery in Leh, two formation ammunition storage facilities, a brigade headquarters at Chushul, and several border outposts in sensitive areas.
2. These projects are located within the Changthang Cold Desert Sanctuary and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary, requiring a total of over 120 hectares of protected land.
3. The Defence Ministry highlighted the necessity for quick troop movement, dedicated training facilities at high altitudes, and secure ammunition storage to improve readiness.
4. An additional project cleared is a permanent bridge in Arunachal Pradesh's Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, bringing the total approvals to 13, with emphasis on environmental safeguards.
5. The committee imposed conditions like minimal ecological disturbance, waste management, and speed controls during construction to protect fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
6. Projects such as the 315 Field Workshop Company at Chushul and ITBP border outposts at Quazi Langer, Bopsang Lungpa, and KM-156 aim to support frontline units near the LAC.
7. The Tara training node, at around 15,500 feet elevation, will provide indoor and outdoor facilities for realistic high-altitude tactical training.
8. Environmental experts advised avoiding locations near marshes, riverbanks, or valleys prone to flash floods and avalanches, incorporating these into mitigation plans.

Explained

What is the Role of the National Board for Wildlife and Its Standing Committee?

Formation and Purpose: The National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, advising the government on wildlife conservation, while its Standing Committee reviews and recommends projects in protected areas to balance development with ecology.

Approval Process: Proposals for using sanctuary land require detailed assessments, including site inspections, wildlife impact studies, and public consultations in some cases, with clearances granted only if national interests like security outweigh environmental risks.

Significance in Border Areas: In regions like Ladakh, the committee often prioritizes defence needs due to strategic importance, but mandates mitigation measures to protect biodiversity in high-altitude ecosystems.

Why Are These Defence Projects Being Approved in Ladakh's Protected Areas?

Background of Border Tensions: Since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, which resulted in casualties and heightened standoffs, India has accelerated infrastructure development along the LAC to counter China's military buildup and ensure rapid troop deployment.

Strategic Necessity: The projects address gaps in operational readiness, such as training at extreme altitudes, secure storage for ammunition, and command facilities close to forward positions, enabling faster responses to potential incursions.

Specific Threats: Increasing PLA activities, including patrols and infrastructure on their side, necessitate these enhancements to maintain deterrence and protect territorial integrity in the eastern Ladakh sector.

What Are the Key Defence Projects Cleared and Their Objectives?

Training Node at Tara: Located in Changthang Sanctuary using 48.6 hectares, it provides dedicated facilities for counter-insurgency forces operating at 15,000 feet and above, focusing on realistic tactical training to maintain troop effectiveness in harsh conditions.

Brigade Headquarters at Chushul: Utilizing 40 hectares in Changthang Sanctuary, it colocates the 142 Infantry Brigade with frontline units for better command, control, and unity along the LAC.

Formation Ammunition Storage Facilities: Two sites—one at Tsogtsalu (24.2 hectares in Changthang) and another at KM-47 (47.1 hectares in Karakoram)—ensure safe storage and quick access to supplies for sustained operations.

Artillery Battery and Army Camp: In Karakoram Sanctuary, an artillery battery at KM-148 (9.46 hectares) and an army camp at KM-120 (8.16 hectares) support firepower and troop basing in remote border areas.

ITBP Border Outposts: Three new outposts at Quazi Langer, Bopsang Lungpa, and KM-156 (each 1.62 hectares), plus a transit detachment at KM-80 (0.1 hectare), enhance surveillance and patrolling along the Indo-Tibetan border.

Other Initiatives: Includes a 315 Field Workshop Company at Chushul (3.7 hectares) for maintenance support and a hume pipe culvert at Mudh near Nyoma for river crossing facilitation.

What Wildlife Sanctuaries Are Affected and Their Ecological Importance?

Changthang Cold Desert Sanctuary: Spanning high-altitude plateaus, it protects rare and endangered species like the Tibetan wolf, wild yak, bharal, wild dog, snow leopard, brown bear, and marmot, serving as a vital habitat for cold desert biodiversity.

Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary: Known for its rugged terrain, it supports species such as the Tibetan antelope, shapo, wild yak, bharal, leopards, Himalayan mouse, and lynx, contributing to the conservation of trans-Himalayan wildlife.

Broader Ecosystem Role: These sanctuaries maintain fragile cold desert ecosystems, which are prone to erosion, water scarcity, and climate impacts, supporting migratory routes and preventing desertification in the region.

What Are the Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Measures Imposed?

Potential Impacts: Construction could lead to habitat fragmentation, soil erosion, pollution from waste, and disturbance to wildlife migration, especially in areas vulnerable to flash floods, avalanches, and high winds.

Conditions for Approval: Projects must incorporate wildlife mitigation plans, including daylight-only construction, speed limits for vehicles, noise control, waste disposal systems, and avoiding sensitive zones like marshes or riverbanks.

Expert Recommendations: Suggestions include ecological surveys before work begins, reforestation where possible, and monitoring to ensure minimal disturbance, balancing security needs with conservation goals.

How Do These Approvals Fit into India's Broader Border Infrastructure Strategy?

Post-2020 Developments: Following the Galwan incident, India has ramped up roads, airfields, and bases in Ladakh, including alternate routes to Daulat Beg Oldie and forward aviation bases, to match China's advancements and reduce logistical vulnerabilities.

Policy Framework: Under initiatives like the Vibrant Villages Programme and Border Area Development Programme, these projects enhance connectivity, economic integration of border communities, and overall national security.

Regional Implications: They strengthen India's position in ongoing disengagement talks with China, deter aggression, and support self-reliance in defence through indigenous infrastructure building.

What is the Significance of High-Altitude Training and Storage Facilities in Modern Warfare?

Challenges of High-Altitude Operations: At elevations above 15,000 feet, troops face hypoxia, extreme cold, and terrain difficulties, requiring specialized training to build acclimatization, endurance, and tactical skills.

Role in Readiness: Facilities like the Tara node enable year-round exercises, simulating real combat scenarios, while storage units prevent supply chain disruptions during conflicts.

Global Context: Similar to how other nations like the US train in mountainous regions, these ensure forces are prepared for hybrid threats, including drones and electronic warfare, in disputed borders.

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