SRINAGAR: Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra on Wednesday directed the Planning Department and PwC team to complete the Union Territory’s ‘Viksit Ladakh 2047’ Vision Document by December, calling for a development roadmap rooted in credible data, ecological sustainability and new economic opportunities.
Chairing a meeting to review preparations for the long-term vision document, Kundra stressed the need for an evidence-based framework that takes into account Ladakh’s unique geographical and environmental conditions while identifying transformative pathways for its development.
The meeting was informed that the exercise is currently at the preparatory stage, with baseline assessments, identification of relevant best practices and sector-specific inputs being undertaken.
Secretary Planning Himanshu Gupta briefed the meeting on the initiative, which is aligned with the national vision for 2047. He said consultations with government departments, experts and other stakeholders would form an important part of the next stage.
Economist Dr Manoranjan Pattanayak, Executive Director, PwC, made a presentation on the proposed framework, including the seven streams under the national vision framework, key focus areas and broad development pathways being examined for Ladakh.
The discussions covered agriculture and food manufacturing, green and blue economy, labour-market indicators, employment patterns, economic growth and tourism.
Kundra said the document should go beyond projecting existing trends and instead identify new opportunities and transformative pathways for Ladakh towards 2047.
He emphasised that the region’s fragile ecology must remain central to the exercise, highlighting water security, climate resilience, carbon neutrality, youth empowerment, livelihood opportunities and sustainable economic growth as key priorities.
On tourism, the Chief Secretary called for an aspirational yet sustainable approach that builds on Ladakh’s strengths in culture, adventure and nature-based tourism.
He directed officials to study international benchmarks and best practices, identify opportunities for niche tourism and explore ways to reduce seasonality while expanding the sector without compromising the region’s fragile environment.
Kundra also stressed the need for reliable and verifiable baseline data to support sectoral strategies. He called for inputs from the University of Ladakh, Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs and other relevant organisations to ensure that the document reflects ground realities and emerging opportunities.
Agriculture, he said, should be examined through a broader development perspective, including productivity, value addition, market opportunities, youth participation and international best practices.
Similar evidence-based assessments were sought for youth skills, entrepreneurship, water resources and other sectors critical to Ladakh’s long-term development.
The meeting also discussed economic indicators such as gross state domestic product (GSDP), sector-wise output, capital expenditure and the relationship between public investment and overall economic growth.
Kundra directed the concerned departments and PwC team to refine sectoral inputs and develop clear short-, medium- and long-term pathways supported by credible data and identified sources.
The December deadline was set with instructions to ensure that the final document includes comprehensive departmental inputs, expert consultations, reliable baseline data and clearly defined sectoral strategies.
The meeting was attended by DGP Ladakh Anand Jain, Divisional Commissioner Shurbhir Singh, Secretary Finance Tsewang Tharchin, Secretary PWD Baser Ul Haq Chaudhary, Secretary School Education Bhanu Prabha, Secretary RDD Nidhi Malik, Deputy Commissioner Leh Romil Singh Donk, the PwC team, CPO Leh, Joint Directors and other senior officers.
