The Himalayan region of Kashmir is undergoing its second major administrative change in seven years. The Lieutenant Governor of the region has issued a notification announcing the creation of five new districts (Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Drass and Zanskar) in Ladakh, which comprises two districts namely Leh and Kargil.
According to the 2011 census, Ladakh has a total population of 275,000, but Ladakh covers an area of 87,000 square kilometers and shares borders with China and Pakistan.
Political and social circles in Ladakh have welcomed the new decision, saying that the formation of new districts will increase federal funding for the region and increase development opportunities in remote areas. However, there is surprise being expressed in Kashmir over the decision.
Columnist and analyst Tahir Baig says, “The average population per district in the entire Jammu and Kashmir is eight lakh, while according to the new decision, the population per district of Ladakh will be less than 40,000, because the total population of Ladakh is only three and a half lakh. It is good for the local people, but this decision may gain momentum in Kashmir for the demand for the establishment of new districts.”
India has a long-standing border dispute with China over the issue of Ladakh. In 2020, India accused Chinese forces of infiltration and land grabbing, after which there were clashes between the two.
It should be noted that in August 2019, the ‘Kashmir Reorganization’ bill was passed in the Indian Parliament, under which Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave semi-autonomy to Kashmir, was repealed, and Ladakh was separated from the administrative control of Kashmir and declared a separate territory under the Central Government.
This decision was strongly opposed by China, which considers Ladakh to be part of southern Tibet. However, China has not yet reacted to the creation of the new districts.
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