Safeguard Fragile Ladakh

The National Green Tribunal’s suo motu action on Ladakh’s worsening ecological condition is a timely and necessary intervention for one of India’s most fragile and strategic regions. Triggered by a scientific paper detailing rapid climate deterioration, the NGT’s move reflects the urgent need to confront environmental stresses that local communities alone cannot offset. Ladakh, a cold desert with a highly sensitive Himalayan ecosystem, has historically remained stable due to the region’s sparse population and the Ladakhis’ deep cultural respect for nature. Local needs are minimal, and traditional practices are inherently eco-friendly. Yet the ecology is declining at an alarming pace. This raises a fundamental question: if locals are environmentally conscious, why is Ladakh’s ecology deteri