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Wednesday, May 11, 2005

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Ladakh releases blueprint for development

Shujaat Bukhari

Vision Document wants society to fit better into `mosaic of modern world'

SRINAGAR: To follow the change with continuity but without compromising on its identity, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) has come out with "Ladakh 2025 Vision Document" which emphasises the need to integrate old with new and deal with the problem of decline in its resources.

The first of its kind, in the history of Ladakh region, the Vision Document was released at a Consultative Workshop organised by LAHDC here.

However, the document deals with Leh district only since Kargil has a separate Autonomous Hill Council. Divided into four sections -- Traditional Economy, New Economy, Physical Infrastructure and Social Infrastructure -- the document is said to be the brain child of Rigzin Jora, the State Minister for Science and Technology.

A vociferous voice of the people of Leh, Mr. Jora has played a significant role in the grant of sweeping powers to LAHDC, given by Mufti government in 2002. "Ladakh today faces unprecedented challenges to reinvent its traditional society so as to better fit into the mosaic of modern world," said Mr. Jora highlighting the importance of having a Vision Document for Ladakh.

Beginning with the view that Ladakh is a society in transition, the document says "as new lifestyles, practices and social mores enter the Ladakhi community against a backdrop of centuries old indigenous traditions and culture, uncertainty and confusion reign supreme in the minds of the region's local populace".

Since the region is caught in the whirlwind of change today, there is a need to evolve a framework that allows Ladakhi people to seamlessly integrate the old with new, reads the document.

Concerned over the rapid decline that the region's resources -- natural, social and cultural -- have witnessed in the recent past, the LAHDC's vision suggests a more detailed set of strategies to

help Ladakh find its place in the modern world. "The need of the hour is to put an immediate stop to the shocking deterioration of our rich heritage by developing an appropriate set of preventive measures."

Best model in hill development

The Vision statement envisages that Ladakh will emerge as country's best model of hill area development in a challenging environment with its sustainability embedded in ecological protection, crucial heritage and human development.

"Ladakh," the statement reads, "will be seen as an ideal society geared towards economic self reliance, full employment and enhanced quality of life for its people, with equity, social justice, rights, peace and freedom and focus on the vulnerable and marginalized."

Besides land based economy, the Vision Document lays thrust upon Information Technology and Tourism.

Though Mr. Jora underlined a complimentary role between Kashmir and Ladakh in the tourism sector, the Vision Document stresses upon marketing Ladakh as a tourist destination separate from Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who was present at the workshop with most of his ministerial colleagues, asked the people of Ladakh to maintain their distinct identity while joining the bandwagon of development. "Ladakh has its own place in our State and it is on the path of prosperity and development. We should have a vision for the whole State."

The LAHDC Chairman, Rigzin Spalbar, said that the Vision Document is imperative keeping in view the essence and traditions of the region.

"A fine balancing act is required," he said. A large number of people from Leh, senior officers and representatives from international organisations which have been working in Ladakh, participated in the workshop.

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Ladakh releases blueprint for development