The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), in partnership with GIZ and Wetlands International South Asia, has launched the “Inventory and Assessment of Peatlands in India.” As part of this initiative, a team set out on a field mission to the high-altitude Changthang region in Ladakh.
This expedition was supported by the Wildlife Protection Department, Leh – UT Ladakh. From June 26 to July 1, 2024, Apoorva Thapa (Technical Officer – Hindu Kush Himalayan Wetlands) and Arif Ahmad (Programme Associate – Himalayas) conducted the field assessments.
The team visited sites in the Changthang region, including Tso Kar, Hanle Marshes, Yaya Tso, Chushul Marshes, and other potential peatland areas, to conduct field assessments and collect soil samples. They also conducted key informant interviews with local stakeholders to evaluate the values and threats to these potential peatland sites. The soil samples will undergo chemical analysis to estimate soil carbon content and other parameters.
Additionally, a consultation meeting with the Regional Wildlife Warden cum Member Secretary of the Ladakh Wetland Authority, and the Wildlife Warden was held to finalize the FMPs for Tso Kar and Tsomoriri. The team had a detailed discussion on various aspects of the FMP and the officials suggested a few modifications, primarily an increase in the budget in the plans. The revised FMPs will be shared with the department and sent to the MoEFCC for approval.
