LG Kavinder Gupta Says Dark Sky Reserve in Changthang can boost Ladakh tourism Says Inclusive development is core priority for Ladakh Assures equal focus on border villages & towns areas

Leh, September 03: The Government of India and the UT Administration are committed to inclusive growth across Ladakh, ensuring that every region—whether remote border villages or central towns—receives equal attention in terms of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. The focus of the UT Administration is not only on large-scale projects but also on grassroots-level initiatives that directly improve the quality of life of people in far-flung areas.
This was stated by Hon’ble Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta while interacting with a delegation from Nyoma at the LG Secretariat in Leh.
The Lt Governor said that the UT Administration is determined to strengthen governance, generate employment for youth, and promote sustainable tourism, while also addressing the specific developmental needs of border villages. He emphasised that the announcement of five additional districts for Ladakh, including Changthang, will strengthen administration and governance by bringing it closer to the people. He added that the creation of these districts would also generate employment opportunities for more than 5,000 youth, ensuring their financial stability.
Highlighting tourism potential, the Lt Governor said that the Dark Sky Reserve at Hanle in Changthang could significantly boost Ladakh’s tourism sector. He stressed the importance of training local youth from border villages like Hanle to become “Astro-Ambassadors” who can guide visitors through the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve. This initiative—undertaken in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the local administration—will empower community members with telescopes and training, thereby creating a sustainable source of income and preserving Ladakh’s pristine dark skies.
Earlier, Councillor Nyoma, Ishey Spalzang, along with Nominated Councillor Ven Konchok Tsephel, requested the early formalisation of new districts, exposure training for pashmina goat herders, and the upgradation of healthcare centres in Changthang.
Similarly, social activist Sajjad Kargili met the Lt Governor and raised demands, including the opening of the Drass-Gurez and Panikhar-Pahalgam roads, issues related to recruitment of contractual and permanent faculty members inthe University of Ladakh, promotion of police personnel, and fresh recruitment of Sub-Inspectors in Ladakh Police. Another delegation of Electrical Contractors also met the Lt Governor and submitted their demands.
Concluding the interactions, the Lt Governor reiterated that the UT Administration is committed to addressing the genuine concerns of people and assured that all constructive suggestions received from the delegations would be duly considered in the overall development roadmap of Ladakh.