He added that the first draft is likely to be submitted by SPA to
ladakh administration Within three months.
Saxena said the ‘Master Plan’ is the need of the hour as it will not only curb unauthorized and unplanned development but also ensure protection of Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem through proper planning.
According to officials, as of now, there are no guidelines for construction activities in Ladakh, leading to haphazard construction activities. “This has severely affected the ecology of Ladakh and put a burden on existing infrastructure,” explained an official from the local government office.
As per the MoU, SPA will prepare a comprehensive plan for all districts in Ladakh. The SPA will assess demographic, economic, environmental and traffic parameters at city and regional scales, as well as signage, pedestrianization and heritage and tourist guides.
The master plan will employ modern tools and technologies such as artificial intelligence and geographic information systems to monitor climate change, related vulnerabilities and its impacts.
