Ladakh UT Administration has already embarked on efforts to make Ladakh carbon neutral after PM Modi’s announcement of the same in his Independence Day speech in 2020. Accordingly, a Workshop on State Energy Efficiency Action Plan for stakeholders was also held in both Kargil and Leh aimed to assess the current energy consumption pattern of the UT. This step could be seen as a good fortune for the ecologically fragile Ladakh. But as discussed by PM Modi himself this target of making Ladakh carbon neutral by 2050 will be achieved with the participation of local people.

Considering the behavior and trend of locals of Ladakh, there are some measures in which the locals can play a vital role in achieving the carbon-neutral goal and protecting the fragile environment of Ladakh.

First, it is imperative to protect the productive and agricultural land which is already scarce. The construction of infrastructure and especially private houses on agricultural land has been seen as a major trend in Ladakh. The arid slanting land just above the irrigable lands in the region is free which could be used for the construction of houses instead of agricultural land. Especially in Kargil, considering the scarce land small and vertical buildings must be preferred instead of competing in the desire for Bungalows.

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Second, conservation of water is next to wajib (obligatory). Because of fewer snowfalls, many villages have been already reportedly facing drought-like situations. The Suru River also has lost its water capacity by up to 40 percent in comparison to the last many years. In such a situation, some actions are imperative. Like, usage of Ladakhi dry toilets instead of water flush toilets. Because for Ladakh a shovel full of soil is much cheaper than a bucket full of water. Considering the uninterrupted supply of water in past decades and the freezing of pipes in winter, the use of valves is not preferred in Ladakh. Now, to ensure the supply of water till the last household of the village, the use of valves is moral, religious, and rational imperative.

Third, keeping carbon emissions down is also needed. As electric meters are launched recently in Ladakh people are not adopted for judicious use of electricity. Proper treatment of garbage instead of burning them and the use of solar cooking devices are desired. It is also proposed in the Carbon Neutral plan to shift from traditional chulas to solar cooking devices.

One of the major demands of Ladakh post-formation of UT is the protection of Ladakh from pollution. In achieving this goal, the carbon-neutral goal of 2050 is very important. For this change, action is desired from now onwards for which behavioral change in accordance with the above-said program is needed. The administration’s desire without public cooperation will bore no fruit.