Among many things, the government of India is very keen on developing road infrastructure in UT Ladakh, this has become even more important after the escalation in tension with the country’s largest neighbour. Sharmistha Mukherjee writes in The Economic Times, “the government’s emphasis on infrastructure development in border areas after the escalation in tensions with its largest neighbour, sale of construction equipment to the Border Road Organization (BRO) has increased 50% in the first half of ongoing (2020) fiscal year”¹.

There is speculation among local masses that a defence basecamp is expected to be constructed in Zanskar. The government has approved the widening and up-gradation to 2 Lane with paved shoulder of NH-301 Kargil-Zanskar Road in the UT of Ladakh with a budget of Rs. 381.01 Crore². This development will lead to the cutting of 40,000 trees in the fragile Ladakh and will cover some good area of usable land. Though the forest department is planning for a mega plantation drive of 80,000 to 1.2 lakh trees³.

The development of transportation activities will no doubt benefit the general masses but it will also result in growing levels of other problems. Highway vehicles are the source of pollution in the form of gas and particulate matter emissions that affects air quality causing damage to human health. The emission of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) from transportation sources reduces lung function, affects the respiratory immune defence system and increases the risk of respiratory problems. When the problems seem to surpass the benefits, one must stop and think rationally for the sake of humanity and for the sake of nature too.

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

This widening of NH-301 will be passing, through 32 populated villages⁴. This may make, a good number of people, susceptible to many health issues and road accidents. For instance, many incidents of road accidents have been witnessed along Srinagar – Leh highway since its inception as it is also passing through many populated villages.

Furthermore, this widening of the road will cover a large area of usable land. 80 to 90% of Ladakh’s land area is a wasteland, thus constructing physical infrastructure, over productive land, in an area already deficit of usable land is like plunging the dagger deep into one’s own chest.

Moreover, the widening of NH-301 comes at a cost of 40, 000 trees⁵. Earth is perpetually becoming hot to an unbearable temperature, trees are the only Panacea of global warming, but ironically, we are behind the masiha itself rather than enhancing it. District Kargil of U T Ladakh have a forest cover of only 59.68 square km⁶, cutting down 40,000 trees would be detrimental and will reduce its forest cover further. Though the forest department is planning to plant 80,000 to 1.2 lakh trees, this seems sceptic owning to the period it will take to grow into a full tree and its vulnerability to many uncertainties in decisions making.

Thus, in consideration of all the aforementioned issues, the government should replan its project of widening the Kargil-Zanskar highway. The barren slopes which are of no use would be suitable for the construction of highway rather than the arable lands which can yield food crops, vegetables, fruits, wood and timber etc. Once the highway is constructed over the wasteland of these slopes it will ease the forest department to do afforestation eventually increasing the forest cover.

Ladakh after being carved out from Jammu and Kashmir and becoming a Union Territory has corollarily witnessed many such changes. From celebration to agitation, Ladakh has a bitter taste of a ‘’UT without any safeguard”. I request the government to respect the people’s aspirations and let this bitter taste of UT turn into sweet and yummy.

___________________________________

Reference:

1. Sharmistha Mukherjee, 2020, Infra push along border keeps construction equipment companies busy, The Economic Times.
2. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
3. Voice of Ladakh, 2022, “thousand trees to cutdown for NH 301 realignment, Forest Department Kargil Plans Afforestation of 80,00 to 1.2lc trees, voiceofladakh.in.
4. Reach Ladakh Bulletin, 2022, “Sahu reviews land acquisition, progress on widening of Kargil-Zanskar Road”.
5. Voice of Ladakh, 2022, “thousand trees to cutdown for NH 301 realignment, Forest Department Kargil Plans Afforestation of 80,000 to 1.2lc trees, voiceofladakh.in.
6. India state of forest report 2019.