VBL submits memorandum to LG, seeks democratic consensus on councils, anti-conversion law, separate butcher markets, cultivation of barren land and revival of traditional water systems
LEH: The Voice of Buddhist Ladakh (VBL) has welcomed the Central Government and UT Ladakh Administration’s decision to establish Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) in all seven districts of the Union Territory, while urging that the councils be created strictly in accordance with the democratic aspirations and wishes of the people concerned.
In a memorandum submitted to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, VBL Convenor Skarma Namtak expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ladakh LG Saxena and Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra for what the organisation described as a landmark step towards strengthening democratic decentralisation and grassroots governance in Ladakh.
VBL said the establishment of LAHDCs in all seven districts could promote balanced regional development, strengthen local self-governance and ensure equitable representation for every district. It also acknowledged the role of Ladakh leaders, including Kaga Thupstan Chhewang, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and Tashi Kachhu, in consistently pursuing the demand over the years.
However, the organisation has stressed that the formation of the councils should be based on the democratic will of the people. Referring to differences between the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body (LAB) over the issue, VBL urged the administration to establish councils in districts where people and their elected representatives genuinely seek such institutions.
At the same time, it said that if representatives or people of a particular district reject the proposal for establishing an LAHDC, the government should respect that democratic decision and refrain from imposing the system on them.
The memorandum also calls for enactment of an Anti-Conversion Law for Ladakh, with VBL arguing that such legislation would help preserve communal harmony, protect vulnerable sections of society and prevent what it described as forceful religious conversion through coercion, fraud or inducement. The organisation has urged the UT Administration to consider bringing such legislation for the Union Territory.
Another key demand concerns the establishment of dedicated and regulated butcher markets. VBL said Ladakh is widely regarded as a region associated with peace, compassion, harmony and spirituality, besides being a globally admired tourist destination. It argued that the open display of mutton and chicken in general markets creates a contradiction with the image Ladakh seeks to project to visitors.
The organisation maintained that the present arrangement may cause discomfort to both tourists and local residents and requested the administration to identify suitable locations for separate butcher markets where the trade could be conducted in an organised, hygienic and regulated manner while preserving the region’s cultural and spiritual character.
The memorandum also puts emphasis on Ladakh’s agricultural potential, with VBL pointing to extensive stretches of barren land that, it believes, could be transformed into productive agricultural areas through scientific planning, improved irrigation and modern farming techniques.
It has proposed that the UT Administration formulate a long-term mission to identify suitable barren land for cultivation and explore the possibility of bringing water from nearby streams and rivers for irrigation.
According to VBL, such a programme could improve food security, generate employment, increase farmers’ incomes and contribute to the sustainable economic development of Ladakh. The organisation has further called for the revival and preservation of Ladakh’s traditional village ponds and indigenous irrigation systems, locally known as Chures.
VBL said these traditional water bodies and community-based water-sharing systems historically played an important role in irrigation and groundwater recharge but are gradually disappearing because of neglect and changes in land use. It urged the administration to revive and preserve these systems and extend the initiative to villages across Ladakh.
In its concluding appeal, VBL said implementation of the proposals could contribute to environmental conservation, preservation of Ladakh’s cultural heritage, stronger democratic governance, communal harmony and sustainable socio-economic development.
