LVD 2030 planning process report

LEHVISION

A ‘vision’ for our shared future LVD PLANNING PROCESS Developing a happy compassionate town that is Inclusive & beneficial to everyone Sustainable - in harmony with nature and natural resources Resilient - able to withstand and recover from shocks

Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh

Leh Vision Document 2030 Planning process The need for a VISION Our Vision for Leh's future should strive to protect, sustain and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the Ladakh region, building resilience to the impacts of global climate change and fluctuations in the global economy. At the same time, the vision for the town has to meet the aspirations of the citizens, especially the youth, to have access to the best opportunities for personal growth and advancement that any place can offer. This is the challenge that the visioning exercise takes on.

The principal Vision for Leh is to restore and maintain a deep sense of happiness. This requires actively cultivating compassion and helping each other, and balancing a lifestyle based on traditional philosophies and ways of life, while also responsibly enjoying the comforts of modern science, economy and infrastructure. Every resident of Leh must once again take personal responsibility to nurture and take care of Leh. Every person and every aspect of Leh's development must consciously strive to create this balance and communal responsibility.

Ladakh can be an example of how a modern, prosperous society can also be deeply compassionate, peaceful, just and equitable. This will immeasurably improve the quality of life of Ladakhis, create a unique experience for visitors as well as migrants, and protect the fragile environment.

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A clear vision followed by actionable plans can help take Leh to it’s full potential.

Strategic Planning Committee The Vision Document 2030 that was initiated in 2017 by Late Dr Sonam Dawa, the thenChairman of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, is a significant milestone for Leh town. After his demise, this initiative was taken further by his successor, the Late Dorje Motup, as he formalized it by issuing an order in 2018 to constitute an 8-member team strategic planning committee (SPC) headed by Mr C Phuntsog, (IAS Retd.).

Subsequently, the committee held meetings with local stakeholders, government officials and external experts in relevant fields to find the best possible solutions and sustainable practices for Leh town.

MemberS of the SPC –

Chhewang Phunsog, Retd. IAS Chhewang Phunsog is currently the vice-chancellor of the University of Ladakh. He served as the Chief Secretary of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1998

Dr. Zahida Bano, Director ULB, Leh Dr Zahida Bano, who passed the Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) examinations, is currently Director of Urban Local bodies, UT Ladakh, has served as the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Leh district. She has also served as the CEO of Leh Development Authority (LDA). Dr Zahida is the convenor of the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC)

Rigzin Spalgon, Asst. Commissioner, Revenue Rigzin Spalgon is the current Assistant Commissioner Revenue of Leh district. He is also holding the additional charge of subdistrict magistrate (SDM) of Durbuk block. He was earlier the Administrator of Municipal Committee Leh.

Tsering Sangdup, Deputy Chairman, LAHDC, Leh Tsering Sangdup, the current deputy chairman of LAHDC, Leh, is one of the most dynamic politicians from Leh district. He also held the post of executive councilor (tourism) before being elevated to the post of deputy chairman. He is the elected councilor from Panamik constituency.

Dr Ishey Namgyal, President, MCL Dr Ishey Namgyal is the president of Municipal Committee Leh. Dr. Ishey, who won from Tukcha ward during the Municipal Committee elections in 2018, was elevated to the post of president of MCL. He was earlier engaged with the animal husbandry department.

Sonam Chosjor, CEO, LDA He is the Assistant Commissioner Development of Leh district.

Sonam Chosjor is also holding the additional charge of CEO of Leh Development Authority (LDA). He earlier held the charge of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Kargil district.

Deleks Namgyal, Gen. Sec. ALTOA General Secretary of ALTOA, i.e. All Ladakh Tour Operator Agency which was formed in 2004. Ever since they have been working towards the promotion of quality and responsible tourism in Ladakh.

Stanzin Norboo, Jt. Sec., ALTOA Joint Secretary of ALTOA, i.e All Ladakh Tour Operator Agency which was formed in 2004. Ever since they have been working towards the promotion of quality and responsible tourism in Ladakh.

Team Core team – Stanzin Kunzang – Project manager Smanla Dorje Nurboo – Co-Ordinator and town planner Tenzin Motup Tahang – Event Manager Tashi Lundup – PR and Communication Konchok Tashi – Urban Planner

Support team – Urban Planner – Dachen Lamo Admin support - Rinchen Angmo Filmmakers – Sonam Nurboo, Morup Namgail Mobiliser – Thinles Dawa Graphic Artist – Lakshya Sharma Volunteers – Norboo Sponbo, Yasmin Jahan, Tashi Dolker, Otsal Yangskit, Stanzin Chostak.

The vision document This document starts with an introduction to Leh and its region in Chapter II. This is followed by the summary of a recent assessment of liveability in Leh in Chapter III. Chapter IV sets out the philosophical underpinning of this document – visualizing a happy and compassionate town. The Vision for Leh 2030 is then organized under eight themes: Theme 1: A Thriving and RESILIENt Economy Theme 2: Mobility of People and GOODS Theme 3: Water, Sanitation & Solid WASte Management Theme 4: Social infrAStructure Theme 5: Environment and RESILIENCE Theme 6: CONSERving our Heritage Theme 7: Spatial planning and urban DESIGN Theme 8: Urban Governance and management

Some of the themes are further divided into sections, each one requiring elaboration. The themes are not compartmentalized but are interconnected. For examples, the strategies in mobility and heritage conservation are reflected in spatial planning and urban design and some of the proposals related to tourism in the section on economy are related to heritage conservation, infrastructure and mobility. The planning process is iterative across the themes.

Each theme, includes the following sections: 1. Assessment (Where we are) 2. Vision 2030 (Where we want to go) 3. Strategies and Actions (How to get there) 4. Metrics and Goals (How to measure progress) The strategies are broadly defined, actions are illustrative and the allocation of responsibility to various stakeholders is tentative. Refining the strategies and identifying specific actions or projects to be undertaken by the respective stakeholders are to be taken up in the next stage of work through a process of detailed consultations with stakeholders and domain experts.

MASS PUBLIC CONSULTATION Mass public consultation meets were conducted in the municipal wards for the purpose of listening to people's opinions on the issues relating to relevant themes and listening to their suggestions and ideas about the same.

Six mass public consultation meets were conducted, in which citizens of the concerned ward came in numbers allowed by the administration and were given gloves, masks and sanitizers for protection against COVID -19.

At each venue, citizens interacted with the team, discussing issues and ideas relating to development of the town's infrastructure.

10th AUGUST 2020 LAUNCH OF MASS PUBLIC CONSULTATION Hon'ble CEC Shri Gyal P Wangyal, launched the Mass Public Consultation process, in the presence of Member of Parliament Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and all the SPC members.

31st AUGUST 2020 FIRST MASS PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEET The first Mass Public Consultation meet was successfully conducted in Ward 1 of Leh, for the Gangles, Gonpa, and Horzey areas. Hon'ble councilor of Upper Leh, Shri Gey Lobzang Nyantak kickstarted the first meeting with encouraging words and a very productive meeting followed right after.

1st SEPTEMBER 2020 SECOND MASS PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEET The second Mass Public Consultation meet took place in Ward 2 of Leh, for the Sankar and Chubi areas. Hon'ble councilor of Upper Leh, Shri Gey Lobzang Nyantak kickstarted the meeting with encouraging words, and a very productive meeting followed right after and citizens discussed various topics with the team members of Leh Vision 2030.

2nd SEPTEMBER 2020 THIRD MASS PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEET The third Mass Public Consultation meet took place in Ward 3 and of Leh. Municipal committee President Shri Dr. Ishey Namgyal kickstarted the meeting with encouraging words, and a very productive meeting followed right after and citizens discussed various topics with the team members of Leh Vision 2030.

7th SEPTEMBER 2020 FOURTH MASS PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEET The fourth Mass Public Consultation meet took place in Shynam hall of Leh. Lower Leh Councillor Shri Shunu Wangdan kickstarted the meeting with encouraging words, in the presence of all ward councilors of Lower Leh. and a very productive meeting followed right after and citizens discussed various topics with the team members of Leh Vision 2030.

9th SEPTEMBER 2020 FIFTH MASS PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEET The fifth Mass Public Consultation meet took place in the Housing Colony hall of Leh. Municipal Ward Councilor, kickstarted the meeting with encouraging words, in the presence of all ward councilors of Lower Leh. and a very productive meeting followed right after and citizens discussed various topics with the team members of Leh Vision 2030.

11th SEPTEMBER 2020 SIXTH MASS PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEET The sixth Mass Public Consultation meet took place in Skampari, Leh. Municipal Ward Councillor, kick-started the meeting with encouraging words, in the presence of all ward councillors of Lower Leh. and a very productive meeting followed right after and citizens discussed various topics with the team members of Leh Vision 2030.

Social Media prESENCE The entire process was documented and shared on online platforms. Website was developed, on which the content published on various platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram can be accessed along with the latest drafts and the introduction of the SPC members.

VIDEOS – Videos highlighting the importance of mass public consultation for the document. Public opinion videos of citizens engaged in different sections of society were shot, edited and published on the website and Facebook.

VISUALS – Visuals depicting possibilities of physical infrastructure development have been posted on the website and opinions of visitors are welcomed for more ideas.

FeedbackThe website has a feedback page through which visitors can answer questionnaires and give inputs that can help the team develop the document.

Expert meeTS A panel of thematic experts has been formed for analyzing the results of mass public consultations and give their inputs for the vision document.

EXPERTS Coordinator for different THEMES: Konchok Tashi, Urban Planner, and expert for the theme 'Mobility of Goods and People' Dr Rigzin Chodon, Research Associate at LAMO, and expert for the theme 'Social Infrastructure’ Namgyal Angmo, Entrepreneur, and expert for the theme 'Economy’ Sunetro Ghosal, Environmental Researcher and Editor of Stawa magazine, and expert for the theme 'Environment and Climate Change’ Tashi Ldawa, expert on Petroglyphs and heritage and Principal of Degree College Khaltse, and expert for the theme 'Heritage Conservation’ Lobzang Chorol, Researcher on Water, and expert for the theme 'Water, Sanitation and Solid Waste’ Stanzin Odsal, Urban Planner and Senior Manager at ULB Ladakh, and expert for the theme 'Spatial Planning'.

Mipham Namgyal, Architect, and expert for the theme 'Open Spaces’ .

Tsering Nordon, political analyst and expert for the theme 'Urban Governance’.