Chief Secretary reviews Preparation of Vision Document for Viksit Ladakh 2047
16/09/2026
Leh, September 16 (KIP)-Chief Secretary, Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, today
chaired a meeting to review the preparation of the ‘Viksit Ladakh 2047’ Vision Document
and roadmap, focusing on developing a long-term, evidence-based framework for Ladakh’s
economic, social and environmental development.
Secretary, Planning, Himanshu Gupta, gave an overview of the Planning Department’s
initiative for preparation of the Vision Document in alignment with the national vision for
2047. He informed that the exercise is at the preparatory stage, with baseline assessment,
identification of relevant best practices and formulation of sector-specific inputs being taken
forward. He said that consultations with concerned departments, experts and other
stakeholders will form an important part of the next stage of the exercise.
The team from PwC, associated with the vision exercise, introduced its members and briefed
the meeting on their respective areas of expertise. Economist Dr. Manoranjan Pattanayak,
Executive Director, PwC, made a detailed presentation covering the proposed framework of
the Vision Document, the seven streams under the national vision framework, key focus areas
and the broad development pathways being examined for Ladakh.
The presentation covered areas including agriculture and food manufacturing, green and blue
economy, labour-market indicators, employment patterns, economic growth and tourism. It
highlighted the importance of examining Ladakh’s economic structure, employment base and
growth potential while taking into account its unique geographical and ecological
characteristics.
The Chief Secretary emphasised that the Vision Document should be evidence-based,
aspirational and grounded in Ladakh’s specific circumstances, with clear differentiation
between the long-term vision, baseline assessment and the strategies required to achieve the
identified goals. He stressed that the document should not merely project existing trends but
should explore new opportunities and identify transformative pathways for Ladakh towards
2047.
Emphasising Ladakh’s fragile ecology, the Chief Secretary called for environment and
ecological sustainability to remain central to the vision exercise. He highlighted the need to
address water security, climate resilience, carbon neutrality, youth empowerment, livelihood
opportunities and sustainable economic growth as integral components of the long-term
roadmap.
On tourism, he stressed the need to develop an aspirational yet sustainable vision based on
Ladakh’s strengths in culture, adventure and nature-based tourism. He called for international
benchmarks and best practices to be studied while identifying opportunities for niche tourism,
reducing seasonality and expanding the sector without compromising the region’s fragile
environment.
The Chief Secretary further directed that sectoral strategies should be supported by reliable
and verifiable baseline data. He called for inputs from institutions including the University of
Ladakh, DIHAR, tourism stakeholders, entrepreneurs and other relevant organisations to
ensure that the Vision Document reflects ground realities and emerging opportunities.
He also emphasised the need to examine agriculture through a broader development
perspective, including productivity, value addition, market opportunities, youth participation
and international best practices. Similar evidence-based assessment, he said, should be
undertaken for youth skills, entrepreneurship, water resources and other sectors critical to
Ladakh’s long-term development.
The meeting also discussed economic indicators including GSDP, sector-wise output, capital
expenditure and the relationship between public investment and overall economic growth.
The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments and the PwC team to refine the
sectoral inputs and develop clear short-, medium- and long-term pathways supported by
credible data and identified sources.
The Chief Secretary directed the Planning Department and the PwC team to complete the
Viksit Ladakh 2047 Vision Document by December 2026, ensuring that the document is
supported by credible baseline data, comprehensive departmental inputs, expert consultations
and clearly defined sectoral strategies and development pathways.
The meeting was attended by DGP Ladakh Anand Jain, Divisional Commissioner Shurbhir
Singh, Secretary Planning Himanshu Gupta, 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 of the concerned departments.