Ladakh Villagers Tell Parliamentary Panel: Border Tensions Cut Off Access to Traditional Grazing Lands

Residents of villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh have informed a parliamentary panel that their access to traditional grazing grounds has been denied following the 2020 border tensions with China. The 15-member delegation, representing the border villages of Maan Pangong A and B in Leh district, Ladakh, requested that nomadic pastoralists be permitted controlled access to India’s traditional grazing lands in coordination with security agencies. They emphasised that the continued presence of local communities in these frontier regions contributes significantly to national security.

Konchok Stanzin, former councillor of Chushul, who briefed the panel, said: “The nomads of the border villages depend on these grazing grounds to rear their livestock. Whenever they go there, the Army stops them. We are not even allowed to bring loose earth from these no-go zones to build our huts, and collecting firewood is also not permitted. Before May 2020, we had free access to these areas.”

Since April 2020, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has amassed a large number of troops and armaments in eastern Ladakh and other areas along the 3,488 km LAC. The PLA moved into Indian territory and built fortified structures and defences in an attempt to permanently alter the status quo on the ground. While there are differences in perception on the alignment of the LAC, over the years, both sides have concluded a series of agreements to maintain peace on the border. A moratorium on patrolling was implemented following the June 15, 2020, violent clashes at Galwan, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed. Before this, on May 5, 2020, clashes erupted on the north bank of the Pangong Tso, in which over 70 Indian soldiers were injured.

Before April-May 2020, Indian troops regularly patrolled areas within India’s perception of the LAC. Till 2023, at least 26 of the 65 patrolling points in Eastern Ladakh had not been patrolled by Indian troops since April-May 2020.

The parliamentary panel, led by Janata Dal-United (JD-U) member Sanjay Jha, assured that it would look into the issues raised. In a memorandum, the delegation highlighted the invaluable contribution of border residents, who have consistently served as the nation’s second line of defence by supporting the Indian Armed Forces during the wars of 1962, 1971 and 1999, as well as during the India-China border standoff in 2020. The delegation requested that the sacrifices and patriotism of border communities be officially recognised and reflected in national and regional war memorials.

The delegation also raised concerns regarding the challenges faced by residents in developing tourism due to restrictions imposed under the Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. They urged that genuine border residents be provided suitable relaxations and greater access to government incentives, tourism-related financial assistance, and youth development schemes to promote sustainable livelihoods.

Additionally, the strategically important Phobrang-Tsogtsallu road was discussed. The delegation requested that the road be transferred from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to the Union Ministry of Defence to ensure adequate funding for its maintenance and upgradation, considering its strategic importance for both defence logistics and civilian connectivity.