LEH, APRIL 29, 2021: With the passage of time, locals in Ladakh are steadily realising the consequences of becoming a separate Union Territory after the abrogation of special protections under Article 370 in August 2019. Fearing from the consequences, the people in Leh demanded protection under Sixth Schedule where they seem to have disappointed by the Union Government. Now, the people have started taking some local measures to protect their business, ecology, and culture.

In such an action, Public representatives in Leh district of Ladakh, including the socio-religious, political, civil-societies, and trade unions, unanimously decided to impose restrictions against investment in the tourism sector from outside the region. The decision to “protect the tourism sector” from “exploitation” was taken in a meeting convened on April 24, 2021, here in Leh.

“The meeting unanimously resolved for the preservation of Ladakh as a unique tourist destination and for protection of the avenues of entrepreneurship and livelihood of the local people and to protect the fragile ecosystem, investment in the tourism sector from outside the region in any form will be discouraged and opposed”, read the resolution that was passed in a press conference on April 28, 2021.

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“It was further resolved that during any instance of exploitation of this valuable local resource base in the shape of investment from outside sources hidden or declared, direct or through any local agency, the local community and trade bodies will impose restrictions against such individuals, businesses or tourist trade enterprises”, the resolution declared.

“These restrictions will be in the form of non-cooperation by the travel trade fraternity as well as community and political organisations”, added the resolution.

Ladakh lies deep in the Indian Himalayas and for centuries the entire expanse remained isolated, connected only by high mountain passes. Being a cold desert with limited natural resources, Ladakh is an extremely fragile ecosystem with harsh winter conditions and remains cut off from the rest of the country for over seven months.

It was not until 1974 that the restriction on tourism trade was lifted from the region and first welcome a total of 527 tourists in the same year to 3.27 lac in 2018. The fast-growing tourism sector does not only contribute immensely to the local economy’s growth but has also evolved as a primary source of income and employment with the majority of the total population being dependent on the sector.

“In recent years, there has been relentless pressure by big businesses and vested interests from outside Ladakh to usurp even this vital resource base from the local people. This development is strongly impacting not only our (Ladakh’s) fragile ecosystem but also investment opportunities and limited employment resources of the region, thus putting the interest of the local schedule tribe population at risk”, read the resolution.

“Ladakh’s local tribal population, in spite of an extremely challenging environment have built a successful tourist infrastructure with limited resources in the form of hotels, guest houses, taxis, bikes, adventure sports and tour operators over a period of four decades. Contributing to over 50% of Ladakh’s economy, and being the primary employment generating industry, it is imperative to ensure its sustainable growth in the future.”

The resolution passed in the meeting was signed by Ladakh Buddhist Association, All Ladakh Gonpa Association, Anjuman Moinul Islam, Anjuman Imamia, Christian Association, BJP District President Leh, District President District Congress Committee Leh, Aam Aadmi Party, Ladakh Tourist Trade Alliance, All Ladakh Tour Operators Association, All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association, Ladakh Taxi Operators Cooperative Union, Ladakh Tempo Travellers Association, Ladakh Bikers Association, Ladakh Rafting Association, and Merchant Association Leh.