JAMMU, Sept. 13 -- In a development that will have far-reaching implications and offer relief to the local communities, lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, has directed the completion of the settlement of rights and claims of local communities in three protected areas of Ladakh - Hemis National Park, High Altitude Cold Desert (Changthang) Wildlife Sanctuary and Karakoram (Nubra-Shyok) Wildlife Sanctuary - within two months.

This will pave the way for a lawful and participatory process for finalising their boundaries, particularly in the newly created districts.

The direction was issued during the 16th meeting of the newly constituted State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), UT Ladakh, chaired by the LG on Friday.

One of the key agendas of ...