Advisor Dr Pawan Kotwal chaired the 4th meeting of the Project Steering Committee of the Government of India-United Nations Development Project Global Environment Facility securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of high-range Himalayan ecosystems SECURE (GoI-UNDP GEF SECURE) Himalaya Project at Civil Secretariat, Leh on June 10.
 
Advisor Ladakh Dr Pawan Kotwal approved the Annual Work Plan 2023-24 and reviewed other matters about the SECURE Himalayan Project, while also reviewing its performance of the past year.

Advisor Dr. Kotwal emphasised promoting sustainability of wildlife in Ladakh and impressed on constituting forums of civil society organizations by developing research centres, and institutions to exchange knowledge of the past, and present, and discuss future interventions to build a synergized environment.

He gave instructions for the capacity building of the Bio-Diversity Management Committees of Changthang through workshops, exposure visits, and expert training. Additionally, the Advisor stressed training the local youths, and frontline staff along with the capacity building of Wildlife staff to allow the exchange of knowledge and skills for the promotion of responsible tourism activities.
 
Deliberations were also held on the promotion of organic farmyard manure (Rigpa) produced from livestock farms across higher reaches of Changthang, which are known for their high acidic content. The Advisor gave directions to the concerned departments to provide subsidies for the transportation of organic manure from the area.

Further, Dr. Pawan Kotwal also spoke of the Dark Sky Reserve in the Hanle cluster, which shall prove vital to diversify and improve local livelihood opportunities through the development of wildlife and astronomy-based responsible tourism.

Discussions were also held regarding the preservation and development of Chumathang Hot Spring and Demchok Hot & Cold Spring for the promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism. During the meeting, Dr Kotwal also approved the Comprehensive Scientific Study for Environment Protection in Tso-Kar.
 
The GoI-UNDP GEF SECURE Himalaya project promotes the sustainable management of alpine pastures and forests in the high-range Himalayan ecosystems to secure the conservation of globally significant wildlife, including endangered snow leopard and their habitats to ensure sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic benefits for communities in the selected high-altitude landscapes in the Trans-and Greater Himalayan regions.