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A Battle to Save Ladakh, and all of Humanity

A Battle to Save Ladakh, and all of Humanity

Context

Sonam Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay Award laureate and climate activist, declared a 21-day climate fast to a gathering of 30,000 in Leh, Ladakh.

Relevance For Prelims: Ladakh Protest & Climate Fast, Ladakh Statehood Demand And Inclusion In Sixth Schedule, National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE),National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Border Roads Organization.

Relevance For Mains: Environmental Challenges in the Himalayan Region.

About Union Territory of Ladakh

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Ladakh

Ladakh Map

  • Significance of the Himalayan Region: The Himalayan region, known as the Third Pole, has approximately 15,000 glaciers that are crucial to the hydrological cycle but are under risk of melting owing to global warming.

Environmental Concerns Amid Ladakh’s Infrastructure Surge

  • Launch of National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE): The NMSHE, established as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), intends to analyze the Himalayan region’s vulnerability to climate change and monitor ecosystem health.
  • Rapid Development in Ladakh: However, fast infrastructural development in Ladakh since its status transition to a Union Territory appears to have overshadowed the NMSHE’s objectives.
  • Infrastructural Development: Bridges, roads, tunnels, trains, and solar energy projects are all being built at a rapid pace, prompting concerns about their environmental impact.
    • Despite the region’s vulnerability to climate change-related calamities, initiatives such as the Zojila tunnel, the Kargil-Zanskar National Highway, and large-scale solar projects are being developed.

Other Challenges:

  • Fragile Region: The Himalayan region has witnessed disasters such as the 2013 Kedarnath flash floods, the 2023 Joshimath accident, and the 2023 Silkyara tunnel collapse, but the lessons from these tragedies appear to go unheeded.
  • Lack of Learning: Despite warnings from experts, infrastructure projects proceed unabated, endangering the lives and livelihoods of inhabitants, tourists, and pilgrims.
  • Scant review: The Himalayan ecosystem’s fragile balance and biodiversity are under threat as a result of unregulated development activity.

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Conclusion

Urgent action is required to preserve the preservation of the Himalayas and the well-being of its inhabitants, demonstrating humanity’s common responsibility for future generations’ welfare.

Also Read: Supreme Court Approves Shimla Development Plan 2041

 

Prelims PYQ (2020):

Siachen Glacier is situated to the 

(a) East of Aksai Chin 

(b) East of Leh 

(c) North of Gilgit 

(d) North of Nubra Valley

Ans: (d)

 

Mains Question: Examine the potential benefits and challenges of extending Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh, especially in terms of safeguarding its cultural and social identity versus the implications for regional autonomy and development. (15 M, 250 Words)

 

Must Read
NCERT Notes For UPSC UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Blogs UPSC Daily Editorials
Daily Current Affairs Quiz Daily Main Answer Writing
UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers UPSC Test Series 2024

 

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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