The Changthang Rangeland Visioning Multi-Stakeholder Meeting was successfully held on June 25 at Hotel Grand Dragon, Leh. This one-day consultation brought together a diverse cross-section of community leaders, government officials, civil society organisations, and conservation experts to collectively envision a sustainable future for Ladakh’s high-altitude rangelands.

The meeting was graced by the Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC-Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, as Chief Guest, and Executive Councillor Tashi Yakzee as Guest of Honour. Their presence and leadership reaffirmed LAHDC-Leh’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in the Changthang region.

Strong representation from elected Councillors of the Changthang area — including Chushul, Nyoma, Korzok, and surrounding regions — enriched the day’s deliberations. Senior officials from key departments of the UT Administration, including Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Wildlife, Rural Development, Tourism, and Culture, were also in attendance. Prominent NGOs, religious institutions, civil society representatives, and media personnel actively participated in the discussions.

The consultation was organised by WWF-India’s Western Himalayas Conservation Programme under the Biodiversity portfolio. The WWF-India delegation included, Dr. Sejal Worah – Programme Director, WWF-India; Vishesh Uppal – Director, Law, Governance and Policy and Dr. Rishi Kumar Sharma – Lead, Himalayas, WWF-India

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the Community Vision for Changthang — a roadmap co-created with pastoralist communities through months of field engagement. This Vision captures aspirations related to biodiversity conservation, rangeland stewardship, cultural heritage, and sustainable livelihoods.

The meeting culminated in the unanimous endorsement of the Visioning Exercise by all stakeholders. Importantly, the gathering expressed enthusiastic support for the upcoming formation of the Rangeland Management Council — a locally driven, multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to participatory governance of Changthang’s rangelands.

This endorsement marks a milestone in Ladakh’s conservation and development journey, offering a replicable model for aligning community voices, ecological priorities, and policy frameworks.