January 11, 2025: In a significant move to bolster India's combat preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved 11 critical defence infrastructure projects in Ladakh. These initiatives aim to enhance operational capabilities and address strategic requirements in the high-altitude region.

The approved projects include establishing infantry battalion camps, artillery regiment posts, mobile telecommunication towers, formation ammunition storage facilities, and traffic control posts. Additionally, a waste disposal and processing plant will be set up in Hanle village to mitigate environmental impacts. A boat shed area for operational support is also among the planned facilities.

Many of these projects will be constructed within ecologically sensitive areas, including the Changthang High Altitude Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and the Karakoram-Nubra-Shyok Wildlife Sanctuary. Despite their environmental significance, these regions hold strategic importance due to their proximity to the volatile LAC.

This development comes amid heightened tensions with China following the Galwan clash in 2020. Since then, India has intensified efforts to modernise its military infrastructure in Ladakh, ensuring rapid deployment and enhanced combat readiness in the face of potential threats.

The projects also address the Army's logistical and communication needs in the rugged terrain, with the establishment of mobile telecommunications towers under the Army Signals Corps being a notable inclusion. The measures are expected to fortify India's position and provide better support to its troops stationed in extreme conditions.

By prioritising these defence projects, India continues to reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity while balancing ecological considerations in one of the world's most challenging environments.